It’s obviously a more advanced case than I thought. Ian, who I diagnosed with Skiff Withdrawal Syndrome two days ago, and who was instructed to take a day off, sneaked … Continue reading Day 11: Saturday 18 February

Our two days off saw Ian and myself surreptitiously visiting The Noust to turn The Bench from a workhorse into a thing of beauty, using masking tape and Mr Skinners’ … Continue reading Days 12 and 13: Monday 19 February

The sun, for once, shone gloriously on Gott Bay. So gloriously warm, I forgot to look at the thermometer once. Our first day doing something that resembles boatbuilding. Well, framebuilding … Continue reading Day 14: Tuesday 20 February

DA and Alasdair delicately worked away with a variety of saws, planes and sandpaper to clean the little tongues from the kit parts. They were joined by Laken, a marine … Continue reading Day 15: Thursday 22 February

I was running late, detained by a phone call to Coll. The cars were outside The Noust, the padlock hanging unpadlocked. Bang as I might, I could not gain admission. … Continue reading Day 16: Friday 23 February

We learned two important lessons today. The first error: it became apparent that some people may have been expecting me to know what to do next. The second error: RTFM. … Continue reading Day 17: Saturday 24 February

At least I caught him (or her – I signed a non-disclosure agreement) red-handed. I was doing my usual Day-Off Patrol at The Noust, when the door opened, and in … Continue reading Day 18: Sunday 25 February

It’s not something I wanted to say this early in the project but: That’s it. You’re fired! We walked in this morning at 10 am, and there had been a … Continue reading Day 19: Monday 26 February

The show went on, despite a temperature of 3°C. DA, Alasdair and Robert sensibly met at DA’s comfortable, modern house in Balephuil. (Did I tell you? He built it himself). … Continue reading Day 20: Tuesday 27 February

It has taken three weeks. But today was C-Day. Or CC-Day. The day Alasdair produced the legendary chocolate cake that is the only food that sustains skiff builders. At this … Continue reading Day 21: Wednesday 28 February