tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44184172427705941392012-02-16T13:03:17.983ZMorganas blogMorganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.comBlogger6761100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-56811851307402958792012-01-08T15:15:00.000Z2012-01-08T15:18:13.461Z

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-92184605095566612262012-01-08T15:12:00.001Z2012-01-08T15:12:30.082Z

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-48930537976449670932012-01-08T15:11:00.001Z2012-01-08T15:11:06.593Z

Well, the forepeak is all back in wood.I haven't removed headlinjng as i'm not sure i'm going to...Started stripping varnish off, but need a respirator... Fumes too much!It still looks a mess, but a lot better than it did... Pics to come soon

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-78823614093271854552012-01-07T21:40:00.000Z2012-01-07T21:41:02.710Z

15hrs of scraping and i've got the forepeak 75% back to varnished wood... The paint came off easy in places, and less so in others!It looks much better back in original condition... Just the varnish to sand back and a revarnish and it will look great.Hope to finish the scraping tomorrow, and get the headlining down... If i achieve that, it'll be a good weekend's work

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-67548602195679938202012-01-01T19:43:00.003Z2012-01-01T20:22:40.855Z

The story of red diesel would be somewhat comical if it weren't for the fact that its completely true.Let me give you a bit of history first:For many years, from the advent of modern yachting after the second world war, diesel in use by yachts across much of Europe was supplied free of road tax, and often marked with dye to avoid it being illegally used in road vehicles. In the UK, Belgium and

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-11732570993088865652012-01-01T09:23:00.000Z2012-01-01T09:22:38.091Z

2012 is shaping up to be a challenging year for anyone who owns a boat and makes international passages.Firstly we have eBorders coming our way. This is government legislation making its way through the system, with the admirable intention of making it harder to enter the UK with nefarious intentions.Unfortunately, as only governments can do, it appears that the approach being proposed will be

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-70164229033056118062011-12-28T18:24:00.001Z2011-12-28T18:24:08.483Z

...!Hope you all had a terrific xmas and trust Santa brought you lots of boaty bits!Back on board today and spent several hours removing paint from the forepeak.Its been previously painted, and the plan was to repaint it, but with a bit more care. However, the paint proved to be poorly adhered, and started to scrape off quite easily.After removing a fair amount it was becoming clear that the wood

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-69101120558371829722011-12-11T15:49:00.001Z2011-12-11T15:49:10.318Z

Not a lot achieved today... Bit of tidying and then decided it was too darned cold, so packed up and came home.I did however get my head around what to start next... Will leave the alternator controller until later, and move to the bow and start the painting and varnishing as well as installing the electrics as i go... Mainly as it will give me something to show for my efforts.So... Dehumidifier

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-66188529509036370302011-12-10T17:52:00.001Z2011-12-10T17:52:24.688Z

Well, at least the batteries are!Temperature was a bloody shock when i climbed on board last night, but after closing up aft cabin with a heater it was ok....Today, i seem to have not acheived much for a whole days work... Just installed the new battery charger... However, it did entail refitting the isolator switches as the bulkhead they are mounted on is so thick that i couldnt get the battery

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-52229869037448319622011-12-04T10:17:00.001Z2011-12-04T10:17:47.087Z

My speedy start on the boat has come to a crashing halt... Too many Xmas parties, kids events and birthdays to make any progress.... WILL get on soon....

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-80533864048495915042011-11-11T15:24:00.002Z2011-11-11T15:37:27.382Z

Spent the last few days trawling the internet for various bits and pieces I need to get Phoenix back into tip top shape... some easy to find, others less so... or at least less so at sensible prices!I need 10 overhead lights... currently we've got teak discs, with a brass fitting on each... replacements are £40 each... ouch. However, i've found a source of just the brass bit at £12 each... much

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-1786618776663871422011-11-06T15:06:00.002Z2011-11-06T15:15:43.931Z

Got up this morning, and started to fit the battery cabling to fit the Sterling A2B and the battery charger, to find that the terminals on the new battery cables have holes in a smidgen too small to fit on the 3way and isolator switches... no problem, there's more than enough material in them to enlarge the holes slightly, only I didn't have the required tools with me... so did a whole load of

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-48293891171626395022011-11-05T22:49:00.000Z2011-11-05T22:48:53.802Z

Another fine day of progress!Old calorifier removed, new one in, pipework to galley sink, and immersion heater wired up.The old calorifier was an absolute pig to get out. All the connections were rusted to the point that I had to cut them off, and it was buried deep in a locker and needed lots of dissmantaling to remove. When i finally managed to undo the bolts holding it in, which required

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-47642408290513613952011-10-30T12:43:00.000Z2011-10-30T12:42:44.902Z

Home now... Had enough... Sore hands!But mainly I ran out of light fittings that worked, and didnt want to start the next job!But, now have two light fittings that work in the saloon and galley, and the wiring in place for two more.Not sure what the next task is, but a week to think about it.

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-48164692321935149072011-10-29T23:15:00.000+01:002011-10-29T23:14:38.145+01:00

A thoroughly successful day!I started by fitting the plumbing to the main galley cold tap, and then fitting the water pump properly... Wiring it up through the switch panel and routing the wiring neatly... Removing the old plumbing was a nightmare... It was routed in the most awkward places possible... I nearly cocked up... Was about to cut one pipe when i realised that is was the main feed to

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-77293590843217257492011-10-29T08:11:00.000+01:002011-10-29T08:10:59.138+01:00

Engine room is now repanelled, and second coat of paint on last night.Managed to relocate the accumulator and mount the water pump before it got too late as well. The water pump previously was just laying loose on the shelf, held in place by nothing more than the length of the attached water pipes!Removing the remaining bits on the engine room bulkheads was 'fun'.... Several things were nailed (

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-29478883615998103392011-10-27T18:43:00.001+01:002011-10-27T18:43:06.440+01:00

Calorifier on the way!But not until next friday, so will be fitted next weekend.In the meantime, back down to Phoenix tomorrow, and hoping to get the cold water plumbing in.Once the calorifier is fitted, then we'll have hot water again as its got an immersion heater...Then, once i've got the engone room cladding finished, i can start getting the wiring done...Once the lights are in, then we're

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-12660628955831400142011-10-26T12:56:00.001+01:002011-10-26T12:56:43.122+01:00

Just been and fetched all the plumbing bits... Doing it throughout with Speedfit.. Easy, cheap and much better for a boat.Only thing i havent got yet are the tap connectors as i didn't measure tap thread sizes, and indeed we may fit new taps anyway...Now to order the calorifier... Not cheap, but with a twin coil, essential for the water heating system we plan to fit

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-30168714051696035412011-10-25T21:06:00.001+01:002011-10-25T21:06:25.513+01:00

...but stopped for 2 days.. Want to get some quality family time in while i've got a week off and its half term, amd the boat isn't habitable!Still, managed to remove all the headlining from the saloon and galley, and get half the engine room recladded and the first coat of paint on... Also got some of the plumbing removed.Tomorrow, will get the plumbing bits to put in new water system... Just

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-24605807420423942002011-10-24T23:28:00.001+01:002011-10-24T23:28:08.938+01:00

As i sit here in the dark, i'm reminded of several of the unwritten rules of boat maintenance...Rule 1 - the one tool you will need most is the one tool you have left at homeThat stubborn bolt would have been a lot easier if i'd remembered the spare 10mm socket after the boat one went for a swim a couple of years agoRule 2 - the law of expanding opportunityNo job is too small to reveal another

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-7221482923758879302011-10-23T20:29:00.002+01:002011-10-23T20:34:52.648+01:00

The annual ybw ECF 'laying down supper' this weekend, this year in the Colne Yacht Club at Brightlingsea... last time we went there, the food was OKish, but the service was terrible, but that was a few years ago... so we were intrigued to find out how it had changed...But mainly, we were worried about the weather...We'd been invited to sail onboard Pipedream II, a friends boat... which we were

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-63981178025492296972011-10-14T09:01:00.001+01:002011-10-14T09:02:50.292+01:00

Remaining electrical bits arriving today... no visit to the boat though... C is sweet 16 this weekend... so we're going to the beach to fly kites instead!

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-18945035936641413772011-10-10T13:26:00.002+01:002011-10-10T13:28:53.430+01:00

Was planning on putting the batteries on the ledge in the engine room.... having second thoughts, and may well put them on the bottom shelf of the large cupboard in the engine room... neater, better protected, and leaves room for the watermaker and fridge compressor... will need to put a few vent holes in the cupboard door though...Need to use Mk1 eyeball and stare and contemplate for a while in

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-81187335831450402612011-10-10T13:16:00.003+01:002011-10-10T13:26:39.354+01:00

I've just ordered the remaining bits to get my new engine room electrical install completed.I've added a Sterling Battery charger to the equipment list, as I wasn't confident in the old one... it was rather ancient, and didn't seem to float the batteries very well... plus it was a single output, which meant that the engine and domestics needed connecting in parallel in order to charge everything,

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-11682565375582818112011-10-09T19:17:00.003+01:002011-10-09T20:37:57.446+01:00

Arrived on Phoenix at about 19:00 Friday, and immediately set too in removing wiring... trying very hard to keep at least one light and the radio working as long as possible.... and worked through to about 23:00 where I collapsed exhausted into bed.Early start on Saturday, and at it again by about 08:00.It was becoming clear that removing the wiring was going to be a mammoth task... every little

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-37058098290210630612011-10-04T19:22:00.004+01:002011-10-04T19:35:33.394+01:00

sat here trying to work out in my head what order to do the major jobs in...After seeing a picture today of a lovely refit on an EVO25, its quite clear than I need to paint the bilges, but in order to do that I need light, and that requires the 12V to be redone... to do the 12V, I need to get the charging sorted out, so that's a look at the 240V, and a bit of re-routing (currently the live 240V

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-51196993498247370912011-10-02T17:14:00.003+01:002011-10-02T17:17:37.668+01:00

Some pics as promised... Now with added fuse box!

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-66518938005599177292011-09-27T20:35:00.002+01:002011-09-27T20:37:35.659+01:00

The panel was painted last night, and was dry enough to re-engrave the writing this evening, so that it now shows through in a bright silver colour... then she got two coats of lacquer.... tomorrow night, I can fit the LEDs and switches.... then some piccies...

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-24786249875259060732011-09-27T20:26:00.002+01:002011-09-27T20:34:37.509+01:00

Got home from work this evening, to be proudly presented with a new ensign. A lovely stitched one of very nice quality.When we bought Phoenix, she was handed over with a very tatty little ensign, originally no more than 18" on the long edge, with perhaps 4" worn away with the ravages of time.Now, i'm sure this ensign has a story or two to tell, and she'll now enter stately retirement, no doubt on

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-33870440306038883802011-09-26T09:02:00.001+01:002011-09-26T09:04:33.813+01:00

Rather pleased with myself...I spent several hours on Sunday, carefully marking out my switch panel on a sheet of aluminium, and then decided to bite the bullet, and got out my Dremel, and engraved it myself... (after quite a few practice runs on a few scraps, tetsing technique and painting/lacquering/engraving order).Its still got work to be done, but it looks rather good even if I do say so

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-24023721324919848232011-09-24T21:08:00.000+01:002011-09-24T21:07:59.104+01:00

Spent the day pulling bits of wire out of the boat...In fact mostly removing the old instruments, so trying to keep the cabling intact so that it has some eBay value, even if it is as museum pieces!This involved removing loads of trim... Which was a good thing as it helped me track down one of the few leaks we've got... One of the chain plates on the mizzen lowers... A spot of sealant should have

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-64774764568091445392011-09-19T19:35:00.000+01:002011-09-19T19:36:22.024+01:00

Phone call at lunchtime..... "Hello... I think your boat is sinking!"Eek....Guy in the yard spotted that she looked a little bit stern down.. and took the time to have a quick peek through a porthole..They immediately got on board and thankfully, water level had only made it to the sole boards.... engine almost completely submerged though..So, they got a pump on board.... I rapidly cancel

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-74864039091142900922011-09-18T16:39:00.003+01:002011-09-18T16:47:35.075+01:00

I'm going to have a go at making my own switch panel up for Phoenix.There's nothing really too wrong with the current one, but as with most boats of her age, it's had switches added, labels changed, the addition of a few dymo labels, and various bit and other pieces that make it look tatty.I just happen to have a sheet of 2mm aluminium in the garage left over from a kit car project many years ago

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-67523196087250869882011-09-18T07:46:00.003+01:002011-09-18T07:51:30.228+01:00

We've got a list of jobs to do on Phoenix as long as your arm.... with decisions that need to be made on the basis of avilable time and budget with regards to priorities.So.... first two major priorities are to get the wiring completed, and the exterior varnishing.... weather may play a part in the varnishing, so we'll just have to play that one by ear.... and that leaves the wiring.I've created

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-85565306125402799932011-09-11T18:35:00.000+01:002011-09-13T20:10:01.842+01:00

Finally, the day had come to collect Phoenix of Hamble (from now on i'll just stick the name 'Phoenix')... i'd been watching the weather forecast closel for a few days, as the remnants of Hurricane Katia sped across the atlantic preceeded and followed by a series of vicious lows squeezing against the high over mainland Europe causing blustery and occasionally downright windy SW'lys across the

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-37865634763511170872011-09-02T01:04:00.001+01:002011-09-02T01:04:53.409+01:00

Fire extinguishers and bilge pump arrived today... More to come tomorrow.So much to do this weekend in prep it's crazy!Not sure if I'll be able to bend the sails on as the rigger still has a bit of work to do on the rigging... But he's coming over Saturday morning, so can discuss then... I'm slightly nervous about the delivery trip... New boat, unknown quantity, and not a lot (actually none) of

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-1043076902384164672011-09-01T12:44:00.001+01:002011-09-01T12:44:30.774+01:00

OK.... after a glorious family holiday which was pleasant, but has delayed an update, i've finally something to report... Last week we concluded the sale of 'Morgana', and the purchase of 'Phoenix of Hamble'... So we are now the proud owners of a 45' ketch of heavy build and long keel! Now begins the work to get her back round to her home berth. The usual challenges exist with the insurance..

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-34557899983368493192011-08-11T20:47:00.002+01:002011-08-11T20:56:23.869+01:00

Verbal feedback today that the survey on Morgana is OK.... I don't know if there will be any further negotiating, but I hope not... the price was already pretty darned good! On the purchase front, a few tasks to get sorted... Insurance cover needs putting in place, which means supplying a copy of the survey to the potential insurer, and then waiting for them to accept it! Also need to sort out

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-22153930243114323802011-08-07T15:46:00.002+01:002011-08-07T15:48:19.213+01:00

on the survey completed yesterday...We've been trying to plan things out, so keen to hear if everything is OK or not!While we wait, i've been sorting a rigger to install the brand new Schaefer furling gear that is with our new boat, but not yet fitted... also, looks like we might have to change one of the new stays following our own survey, as its a bit short, and therefore can't be locked off

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-59615730202630399782011-08-03T18:07:00.000+01:002011-08-03T18:06:49.141+01:00

Survey on purchase all ok (well, nothing that we didn't know about, and structurally 100%)Just Morgana's survey to go now, and that happens on Saturday

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-89425752804496750582011-07-31T16:50:00.003+01:002011-07-31T17:00:14.784+01:00

let me tell you a bit more about the new boat we're buying...As i've said previously, she's an Explorer 45, which was designed by the legendary Stan Huntingford, and aimed mainly at the US market.She's a ketch, with a cutter arranged foredeck.Overall, she weights about 18 tons, of which about 40% is in the long keel... there are long overhangs at either end, with a lovely flowing lead in from the

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-76753169448583873602011-07-30T10:16:00.002+01:002011-07-30T10:21:25.575+01:00

Viewing on Monday resulted in an offer.... a little negoiating, and its accepted!Contracts have been exchanged, a deposit received, an survey organised...We've also arranged a survey on the boat we're looking to buy...Insurance quotes underway.... lift with the marina sorted...phew!It was considerably cheaper to arrange for the new boat to be lifted and held rather than lifted ashore and chocked

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-79924515558674848242011-07-14T18:52:00.000+01:002011-07-14T18:51:41.371+01:00

A viewing planned for Monday... Fingers crossed!

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-78119842067844884632011-07-11T14:15:00.002+01:002011-07-11T14:19:43.715+01:00

Last month, I blogged that we are planning on buying a new boat.... or more accurately, that we've found a new boat... but our buyer on Morgana fell through, and we'd spent 2 very frustrating months trying to sell her.... ...well, now make that 3 very frustrating months.We've just reduced the price by a further £5k, making her a remarkable deal for someone. She's immaculate, has brand new sails,

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-70816638767048538302011-06-18T16:43:00.000+01:002011-06-18T16:44:35.992+01:00

Just to add a few miles that I forgot to add at the end of 2010Miles logged 12nmMiles since this blog started 5,718nm

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-60500273020036330052011-06-18T16:38:00.000+01:002011-06-18T16:40:32.806+01:00

The broker tells me that someone appears to be quite interested in Morgana... fingers crossed!We've looked online, and Morgana is the lowest priced Oceanis 400 in Europe at present, as well as being the best equipped, and I find it hard to believe that any other is in better condition... so surely we'll be able to sell soon... its been 2 months... two very frustrating months.

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-73285743659379991502011-06-16T18:26:00.000+01:002011-06-18T16:38:00.780+01:00

Its been a pretty busy time for me recently... let me get you up to speed..Last Autumn, I was made redundant from my job, and its was all looking pretty ropey... We had a big decision to make just prior to Christmas when marina fees came due for 2011, but decided that the boat is just such an important part of our life that we really couldn't do without it, and so coughed up an amount of money

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-51291853774072210932011-04-28T19:53:00.001+01:002011-04-28T19:54:47.152+01:00

So... its been a while....And the latest...Morgana is for sale, and we're buying a new boat....more later!

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-71130958187173619842010-10-17T20:37:00.002+01:002010-10-17T20:59:31.291+01:00

A long planned weekend for my son Matt and myself with my friend Tass and his son Chris.... I'd been looking forward to this, as Tass is a very very good dinghy sailor, having competed in the Seoul Olympics, representing Greece in the Laser class, so it was going to be nice to have someone on board who could take the helm without me having to keep an eye out... not only that, but Tass is a larger

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-83678471783330147962010-09-06T11:07:00.003+01:002010-09-06T17:05:33.819+01:00

Competed in a half IronMan distance triathlon at the weekend.... here's me leaving the water after the swim stage..1.9km swim, 85km bike, and then a half marathon... was an amazing experience.... next year, i'm going longer, and doing a full IM... really looking forward to it!(photo courtesy of Sharon Rowe, who always has brilliant pics of pirate events - and more!)

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-22319269653488337692010-09-02T13:26:00.001+01:002010-09-02T13:28:02.479+01:00

Not done hardly any running or cycling, and no swimming at all while away on hols.... so went for a run today... I needed to... I've got a half Ironman this weekend...If my bodies reponse to running 2.25 miles is anything to go by, its going to be a very very tough race....still its only 1.8km swim, then a short 85km on the bike... that should be a good warm up for the half marathon to finish it

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-38445677830136888082010-08-29T17:57:00.003+01:002010-08-29T18:39:50.621+01:00

It had been a good stop in Eastbourne... a great meal at an Italian, including the hottest pizza ever, and met up with Fat Buddah and his partner Claire, a fellow Triathlete, and, with all GFS forecasts (which have far and away the most accurate for the whole of the trip) being for 12 to 15 kts, and wall to wall sunshine, it looked like we were in for a really nice closing leg to the trip....

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-49665406578235654492010-08-27T14:37:00.000+01:002010-08-27T14:38:19.648+01:00

Well… we’ve made it to Eastbourne…. Still not heard Thames Coastguard, so we’re not home yet!It wasn’t the most pleasant of trips…We took the cockpit tent down this morning in the rain, and its rained ever since (well, its stopped now….)Leaving Brighton we had 20kts across the beam, which would have been lovely, but it was thrashing with rain too… its soon built to 25kts… so we hoiked out some

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-58512757125625606222010-08-26T21:44:00.000+01:002010-08-26T21:45:11.174+01:00

I’m not sure if I have mentioned previously, but 2 days into this trip my autopilot packed up…. I discovered a week later that the belt was knackered…I found a supplier online, but was waiting until I got home to organize it… and at every port along the way we’ve found a chandlery and asked if they stocked spares… with a negative answer every time…Until Brighton.Here, a truly excellent chandlery,

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-29941042763011882492010-08-25T21:43:00.000+01:002010-08-26T21:44:17.643+01:00

After what seems like days of wind, the forecast is for F3…. We awoke at 05h30 for an 06h00 depart to find light winds of perhaps 5kts… and thus it stayed… we motored the whole way to Brighton, which isn’t fortunately that far…. The only real excitement being the start of the Looe Passage where the tide squeezing through a small gap caused a certain amount of bubbling and boiling…. And the later

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-74812207143960570302010-08-24T10:42:00.000+01:002010-08-24T10:43:02.605+01:00

For the third time in the month, we are weather bound again… we’d seen what looked like a bit of a weather window between fronts, enough to dive the short 40nm to Brighton… it meant a very early start, so alarms set for 04h30…. Only when we got up, it was still howling, with gusts coming through at 25kts in the marina, suggesting somewhere north of 30kts out in open water… a rapid decision was

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-44643347662089052412010-08-22T22:12:00.000+01:002010-08-23T10:12:36.143+01:00

We’d sat in Weymouth waiting for the right weather for 3 days, gradually getting more and more harbor bound. Weymouth is lovely, but there is only so much you can do when its raining, and when you’ve already spent a fortune, and are trying to keep costs down!... it suddenly looked like we’d have a weather window for Sunday, albeit with a forecast for a F9 in the evening!!!!!!.... and Pipedream II

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-29389545454288299792010-08-19T09:52:00.001+01:002010-08-19T09:52:50.228+01:00

Leaving Salcombe to head west is an act of balancing the tide over the bar against getting plenty of west going tide to carry you across Lyme bay, and timing it all so that you don’t round Portland Bill with the tide in full flight, and hence the worst of the Portland race. It wasn’t too bad for us, as it was a neap tide, so we had enough water over the bar just 1hr after low water, and would

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-77705313321181421072010-08-19T09:52:00.000+01:002010-08-19T09:52:03.843+01:00

A wet an ‘orrible’ trip up the coast. Just a few miles though, so not the end of the world. We slipped quietly from Newton Ferrers at 07h30 in the morning, and motored out into a grey mizzly day, with visibility of just 1/4nm or so… this meant that no sooner had we left Newton Ferrers than it’s cliffs had disappeared into the gloom.This set the theme for the trip… no wind (hey met office… what

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-81102492946178200672010-08-19T09:51:00.000+01:002010-08-19T09:51:12.144+01:00

Plymouth has changed beyond all recognition… gone are the ‘down in the mouth’ warehouses on the waterfront where small marine businesses tried to eke out a living to be replaced with a series of expensive and rather soul-less flats. The tired 1960’s shops of the Barbican selling clothing for gentlemen of a ‘certain age’ and the seedy pubs, stacked with drunken off duty matelots have all made way

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-16864437655886202112010-08-13T20:43:00.001+01:002010-08-13T20:43:54.608+01:00

In the 80’s (yes, it was a long time ago), I was a student in Plymouth… I spent 5 years here, fitting the odd lecture in between visits to pubs and doing a great deal of sailing… In fact I logged over 10,000nm in 5 years… I haven’t been back in 18 years, and not by boat for a good few more… so its fair to say that I was looking forward to a visit..It was a late start from Dartmouth… not wanting

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-75260097733340311252010-08-11T20:52:00.001+01:002010-08-12T14:56:21.391+01:00

With a forecast for the rain to ease off ovenight, and the wind to moderate, plans were laid to depart towards Dartmouth at around 05h30 in the morning…. Another boat tied alongside us, but also leaving towards Poole, so they agreed to leave at 05h30 too… it was nearly all thwarted when I stayed up a tiny bit later than planned to catch the late weather forecast from Jersey Coastguard, and just

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-77595381410260571542010-08-09T16:55:00.000+01:002010-08-09T16:56:10.442+01:00

After an extremely rolly night, we crept out of the Sark anchorage early, and decided to head for a brief stop at Shell beach on Herm... this looked ver pretty from a distance, and most certainly didn't fail to deliver!It was an easy entrance, between two large rock outcrops, but with plenty of room, into a small bay, with a gently shelving sand bottom, making anchoring very easy.... and a

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-48677581213381001602010-08-08T16:54:00.000+01:002010-08-09T16:54:53.191+01:00

With a great forecast, we decided that it was the day to head for Sark... the island that shunned cars completely, and decided instead to resort to bicycles and horse and cart for transport....It was only a very short distance across to the island, so we set off at a time of convenience rather than a time to suit the tides... plugging into the tide for just 3 or 4 miles isn't a problem after all!

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-18624524495952539852010-08-06T15:43:00.003+01:002010-08-06T15:52:26.689+01:00

Hoorah.... we've made it to the Channel Islands... Guernsey to be precise... its the first time in several years that we've actually made the destination we'd planned for on our summer cruise... regular sailor-readers will recognise the home truth in that!It was a bit of an uncertain decision overnight... with all the GFS forecast sites suggesting F3 to F4 SW and sea state OK, but with the met

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-29445215007339258132010-08-04T12:28:00.000+01:002010-08-04T12:30:43.137+01:00

A days delay in Eastbourne proved somewhat more passable than i'd expected... We dug the folding bikes out, and rode into Eastbourne, a journey of just 2.5 miles (just far enough for SWMBO to complain about a sore backside!)... Eastbourne proved to be quite a pleasant little seaside town, with an air of being well kept and cared for... lots of evidence of fresh paint, carefully tended flower beds

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-5419432546890830292010-08-02T16:12:00.001+01:002010-08-02T16:15:37.734+01:00

After deciding to start a day later than planned, we were keen to get away on the Sunday, and so after a bleary eyed start when the alarm went off at 04:45, we slipped out of the lock (via the fuel pontoon) at 05:45.The forecast was a reasonable 12kts, gusting 18kts... which sounded great, other than the direction, a south westerly, which meant it would be on the nose...Which it proved to be..

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-22939188926012989712010-07-31T16:25:00.001+01:002010-07-31T16:25:09.354+01:00

In the end, a good decision to delay departure... I'm not sure it was quite as windy as expected (although it was quite breezy), but it was certainly a SW'ly, and it rained for most of the day.... Would have been a miserable journey..Instead we jumped on the foot ferry across to Harwich and went to see the power festival... Where various lunatics drove increasingly insane boat/engine

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-38296873697062856632010-07-31T08:21:00.002+01:002010-07-31T08:24:30.231+01:00

OK... so I fib!Forecast looked ropey... forecasts with a 7 in them don't make me happy..In reality it'll probably be a F6... but combine that with it being on the nose and with it being a 16hr+ trip, and I decded to put it off 24 hrs.... so here we are.... still in the marina

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-40756351457174753742010-07-27T10:23:00.002+01:002010-07-27T10:31:39.688+01:00

New sails finally arrived, and fitted perfectly... hoorah!Its been a little bit of a trauma getting them though... initially promised Last week June/First week July... by 6th July i'd called to say... "OK... where are they?"Several promised dates came and went, with me doing all the chasing, and eventually I blew my top, and was promised Friday 23rd July.... In the end didn't make it down to

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-10751272672945913572010-07-27T10:20:00.002+01:002010-07-27T10:23:14.184+01:00

Finally, after a long time (2 years!) in the making, we've got an extended summer cruise coming up.... a whole month aboard...The target is the Channel Islands and the West Country... order to be determined by the weather and wind direction.TYhe initial plan is to try and get two longer legs in to get down into the right part of the world as quickly as possible... perhaps Harwich to Eastbourne on

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-80151651512945877052010-07-07T09:02:00.002+01:002010-07-07T09:09:10.264+01:00

This weekend saw the 4th installment of the now annual pirate weekend.... for those that haven't heard of this (where have you been?), its a meet up of a load of sailing friends, where we gather on a beach, build a big bonfire, BBQ, and make merry...Its bloody good fun.This year, the weather gods well and truly blessed us. We arrived down at Morgana Friday evening, and within an hour had slipped

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-14840985498964438292010-06-20T21:29:00.003+01:002010-06-20T21:33:02.985+01:00

Not only is the new tender hung happily on the davits, but the new cooker sits on its gimbals!Its also been tested in the only acceptable way... its cooked a full English breakfast!To fit it, I had to cut the wooden blocks that the old cooker was mounted to down by 1cm each side... which meant a little contortionist work to remove the blocks...I then fitted the new gimbal mounts to this... sadly

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-13590961674410052052010-06-13T11:35:00.003+01:002010-06-13T11:43:07.769+01:00

OK, so the new cooker has arrived... its a Nelson Spinflo, and we are very very pleased with it... it looks to be very well made, and seems extremely robust.. i've got the fun of fitting it yet though... i'm not sure that the gimbals will be easy to mount!Next, we went Saturday and collected the new tender.... that was fun to get in the car!... fortunately we'd thought it through in advance, and

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-33057073686347086902010-06-02T13:39:00.002+01:002010-06-02T13:54:34.722+01:00

As regular readers (if there are any?)will know, we're determined to set off on a long term cruise in a few years time.As part of this, we'd like to spend a little longer onboard that the normal 2 weeks max, and so, after a bit of negotiating with both our respective employeers, we've got the whole of August off this year, and plan on setting off down channel. The target is the Channel Island and

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-19689238921888862952010-06-02T13:29:00.002+01:002010-06-02T13:39:30.582+01:00

I've always beeen very very good at spending money.I'd like to share news of a few new acquisitions with you to prove a point.Finally, we've done the deed, and ordered new sails. After much umming and arring, we've gone to Crusader. They were competitive on price (note - not quite the cheapest), but most importantly of all, they have a great reputation for delivering on time. We want the sails

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-48223858875984044792010-06-02T13:24:00.002+01:002010-06-02T13:28:37.090+01:00

Our friends have heard them all... yes, they bought a boat called Mr Tinkles.... and yes... they've heard them all. The final straw was port control gently teasing them. Four times.So a naming ceremony has taken place involving the donation of champagne to Neptune, and lots of cash on new stickers.Naturally, we shared the moment with them. They'd bought lots of champagne.Au revoir Mr Tinkles.

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-50585743840989966632010-06-02T12:58:00.002+01:002010-06-02T13:23:47.401+01:00

OK,So the blog seems to have slowed down a little.... I know, I know.... but hell... how many times can you post about going to Stone Point with out it sounding the same... well..this time I have a good few things to update on... so i'll start with the weekend's sailing adventures...As ever, we planned a long weekend to Oostende for the latter May bank holiday, and as ever, the forecast looked

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-62213736667564365432010-05-18T10:28:00.000+01:002010-05-18T10:29:02.898+01:00

... more later... but we had a good Stone point weekend!Miles logged 13nmMiles this season 196nmMiles since this blog started 4,776nm

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-49960634118944249262010-04-12T20:22:00.003+01:002010-04-12T20:35:43.234+01:00

After a few days dfoing the touristy bit, including trips on the London eye, and even a boat ride up the river to Greenwich, it was time to leave...The weather had changed beyond all recognition.... gone was the cold wet windy weather and in its place a large high presure system.... which meant not a lot of wind... but lovely warm sun as compensation!So out of the lock we motored...Alan need fuel

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-55870606074721065292010-04-12T19:24:00.006+01:002010-04-12T20:10:00.209+01:00

The season is started... and with a bang!Morgana was lifted on a Friday.. I went down solo, and by Sunday evening after 2 days of backbreaking effort she was antifouled and polished, and ready to go back... so just 48 hrs out of the water.... not bad!And the following Friday we all troop down to the boat with a special trip in mind... yes, we're off to London!The trip has been long planned and is

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-76493798286472912852010-03-24T21:31:00.000Z2010-07-27T10:40:43.814+01:00

Yesterday I decided to go for a ride.... and rode the 15 miles to Rutland Water.... then did a lap of the Vitruvian course before riding home again!So that's two rides of over 40 miles this week!And what about the Vit course?Yeah.... its a pussy cat!... well sort of...OK... its got 24 miles per lap of nice steady rolling hills that are great fun to ride..... and then 2 miles of sheer bloody hell.

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-4766491901908882382010-03-22T14:19:00.000Z2010-07-27T10:40:43.828+01:00

I've been concentrating on the bike for a few days to give my legs abit of a break from the pounding of running.... and its working well...They are still sore, but much much better.... cycling is such a great complementary exercise to running...I'd been invited down to Ipswich on Sunday for a ride out with a few of my sailing friends who are also keen cyclists.... and so went down and stopped on

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-1102113921117653312010-03-17T18:33:00.000Z2010-07-27T10:40:43.835+01:00

My new 'Pirate' Tri-suit turned up too.... so now I can do a Tri with the pirate gang recognising me.... which is great.... i'll need all the support I can get!

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-58233568414629294752010-03-17T18:27:00.000Z2010-07-27T10:40:43.843+01:00

My leg has proved to be somewhat more sore than I expected.... (its my right Illipsoa for anyone interested and has any idea of what i'm talking about)... I can still ride the bike without any prob, and I could probably run a bit too, but i'm parking the running until the leg is better.... I can still get the miles in on the bike...It does mean however, that the 100 miles in a month target looks

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-82091775359110353502010-03-14T17:39:00.000Z2010-07-27T10:40:43.852+01:00

Managed to get 40 miles in on the bike over the weekend, which was great...But, while riding to protect my right leg, my left knee twinged a bit.... with classic ITB pain on the outside of the knee...I'll try a few things, such as lowering my saddle a little (I raised it a couple of inches recently), and take a look at the cleat alignment on my shoes.. it hurt a little, but not enough to stop me

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-89970563544857168392010-03-12T10:44:00.005Z2010-03-12T10:54:52.467Z

Its been a while!Let me explain whats being going on in my life...On Oct 19th, I decided after many years of failed attemps, that it was time for me to REALLY stop smoking, so, for a few weeks after that I was no use to man or beast, while my brain adapted to a life without nicotine...And somewhere along the way, I decided that I needed a substitutional activity to replace the smoking.... and

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-10407024553586722192010-03-11T21:52:00.000Z2010-07-27T10:40:43.860+01:00

The Long Steady Run hit 10 miles this evening!Double figures at last!!!!Although now i'm paying the price... my legs are really suffering... after sitting down for 10 mins, I struggled to get back up...I reckon that a few days of taking it easy on the running front is probably a good idea.... i've been neglecting my cycling anyway...Once again, I recognise the signs... my right leg is sore, and

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-10170060200827923712010-03-05T17:40:00.000Z2010-07-27T10:40:43.869+01:00

Last night I built my weekly long steady run up to just over 9 miles... very much on track for my goal of 12 miles in one go by the end of the month...I am also on track for pretty much all the other targets... so, as we stand, things are looking good..The one that I wasn't sure about, the 85Km ride, seems to have resolved itself, in that a couple of my friends have organised a ride around the

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-83573145661478912142010-03-02T18:37:00.000Z2010-07-27T10:40:43.877+01:00

Not too bad, given that I was close to a fourth!Done! - Smile when training!Done! - Build long run up to 8 milesDone! - Run 30 miles in one weekRide 16.5 miles in an hour or lessRide 85Km on a bike non stopSome new goals for March going up shortly!

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-29226040140409937582010-02-26T18:09:00.000Z2010-07-27T10:40:43.892+01:00

After my 8 mile 'triumph' of wednesday night, the legs were tired to start with, but by Thursday evening they felt ok... so I jumped on the turbo.... and wow!... I was flying.... I was holding a great pace, and after 40 mins, had average 17.4 mph.... I know I could have kept going and hit the 16.5 miles in a hour goal, but decided that the goal was there to help, not to hinder, and a better use

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-87404713561535836872010-02-24T22:10:00.000Z2010-07-27T10:40:43.901+01:00

I decided that my knee didn't feel too bad by Wednesday, so set off for a run... after just 1/2 mile, it felt perfectly OK... so I kept going.... despite the pouring rain, I kept going.... and banged out 8 miles... yeah!In fact, I really enjoy running in the rain... sad I know... :)I'm really chuffed with this month's running... its really come together...The cycling hasn't done so well, and for

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-51886304392199850882010-02-22T14:54:00.000Z2010-07-27T10:40:43.910+01:00

Having ridden on the turbo in the morning yesterday, due to heavy snow overnight, I didn't have time for a decent run, so decided that with only half an hour to spare, i'd try a short fast run instead... and ran 2.5 miles in 20 mins... it did feel kind of good... but only in the context of feeling pleased with msyelf... otherwise it hurt like hell.... my lungs screaming abuse, and my legs crying

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-53830026045736705342010-02-19T17:53:00.000Z2010-07-27T10:40:43.918+01:00

One other thing.... i've been told off!!!LSR - it isn't a Long Slow Run....its a Long Steady Run...Sorry Philip (that's Philip Shambrook - well respected ex pat Brit now offering Triathlon coaching services in New Zealand - who is a general all round good egg in offering tons of great free advice on runsaturday.com)His argument is hard to disagree with... if its Slow, it'll always be slow...

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-44459815163824486022010-02-19T17:47:00.000Z2010-07-27T10:40:43.926+01:00

Last night was fun.... only a very short run of 1.5 miles, but it was snowing very hard.... it makes it easy to run when there is fresh deep snow, as you can plant your foot confidently... its when its frozen/thawed/frozen that it becomes dangerous... the only problem is being able to see where you are going... it gets in your eyes, and sunglasses are problematic when its dark!Tonight will be a

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-16196661650873379122010-02-16T11:28:00.000Z2010-07-27T10:40:43.934+01:00

How far do you have to run before it becomes a Long Slow Run exactly?Last night I ran 6.5 miles..... yes, thats 6.5 miles!!!It felt fantastic... so good that when I crossed my own path at about 5 miles, I had a momentary idea of running the loop again to log 10 miles... fortunately my head managed to overrule my heart!The best bit of all is that I got back feeling stiff and tired, but not painful

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-39112798007759878522010-02-13T13:35:00.000Z2010-07-27T10:40:43.941+01:00

A few runs in... leg still achy, but nowhere near as much as it was....A swim this afternoon, a ride tomorrow.. this keeps on giving the leg a rest... I'm more optimistic now than I have been for weeks that its getting better..!

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-10319138807695960072010-02-10T18:22:00.000Z2010-07-27T10:40:43.948+01:00

Knee pain only lasted a couple of days.. and wasn't significant... leg STILL a bit tender in places...Its now absolutely certain that its an adductor strain (a groin strain to those who care), which have a reputation for slow healing, and will explain why its taken so long... I think the other stuff is just the legs reaction to trying to protect the adductor...Anyway... a gentle run possibly

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-88956524013842692362010-02-07T19:36:00.000Z2010-07-27T10:40:43.956+01:00

After running 5 miles on Thursday, and finding my leg feeling a bit achy, or more accurately, a little painful... I decided to ride a bit instead.... Friday was a rest day, and so by Saturday, me being me couldn't take it easy.... 16 miles in the morning, 15 on the turbo in the evening, and then 29 miles on Sunday...Good news is that my leg muscles feel OK... achey, but not painful.... bad news

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418417242770594139.post-85531410422411093942010-02-04T15:03:00.000Z2010-07-27T10:40:43.964+01:00

I just read a blog that really made me think.I've added to my monthly challengesI'm going to smile more while out training.... its good to let everyone know how much i'm enjoying this!

Morganahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575027203221555080noreply@blogger.com0