1. Captain Cook and Point Venus, Matavai Bay, Tahiti
December 27, 2007


Our little ship reminds them that if they are to make Point Venus today, then they need to set off now. Extricating the anchor from the mud, the hose and scrubber come into use, removing with some vigorous pokes and vigorous strokes, the thick grey goo from the flukes. Snubbed home with the anchor washed down, she turns into the gentle breeze and sails out of harbour on a reciprocal course from her entry just a few days before. A short sail eastward along the breakwater brings her into Matavai Bay proper where she drops anchor in about eight metres of water, into black sand. This is the same b... (read more)

Author: vincent bossley | Article Views: 1222

2. Invest on CrownLand's Land for Sale and Earn a Big Profit
December 24, 2007


When you want to buy a property, there are two options for you to choose from. You can either buy a leasehold property or you can go for a property which is sold for freehold. When you opt for the former, you only have legal rights to the building or infrastructure which has been constructed over the land. This type of land for sale does not allow you to gain complete rights. On the other hand, you will be able to gain complete ownership over the property that you have purchased when you choose a UK land for sale which is offered as freehold. Investors from all over the globe look forward... (read more)

Author: Vikram kuamr | Article Views: 415

3. The day Diana died - Moorea, French Polynesia
December 21, 2007


Carrying out some much needed housework instead of luxuriating in the hammock swinging in the shade of the awning, sees our valiants scrubbing the waterline. Then, onto polishing the stainless steel pulpit and pushpit rails, stanchions, and re caulking some wayward teak decking. During a break and downing a welcome cup of tea our captain is fiddling with the short wave radio trying to pick up Radio New Zealand, which he feels should be in reception range by now. Instead the BBC issues forth in their metallic and clipped tones; ‘She was an icon of all that is British, admired by many, idol... (read more)

Author: vincent bossley | Article Views: 796

4. The Best Carp and Catfish Fishing Presents are Not Always the Most Expensive
December 15, 2007


I first became a passionate angler as a child. It has enriched my life and taught me many things never taught in any book in school. I had little support from disinterested parents and my fishing progress was very limited when I was young. This lack of encouragement teamed with scarce funds to buy fishing tackle and pay for fishing permits did not help either. Two of the greatest presents you can actually provide any kid with a growing interest, is to give them attention and encouragement no matter how little you care about the new hobby or sport etc yourself. Owing to a lack of informati... (read more)

Author: Tim Richardson | Article Views: 668

5. Winter carp fishing boilies pellet and paste bait tips
December 15, 2007


Many fishermen get an anxiety attack thinking about their baits in winter and rightly so! Most commercially produced baits are not made to be ideal winter baits but in part to fulfil typical customer expectations which lead to more buyer confidence in the bait. This produces quite a few baits having constant features which may not necessarily always lead to the best bait option. For example, such a winter bait will last more than 12 hours in water as a functional durable hook bait. Or exude a smell which is recognisable to a buyer to fit a current fashion (like pineapple for example. Or h... (read more)

Author: Tim Richardson | Article Views: 931

6. Tonga Whale Tale
December 12, 2007


Tucking in behind the short reef, our little ship arrives just in time for her crew to anchor as the tropical night draws down on the western horizon, squeezing the last of the flaming orange crush over the edge and into eternity. Myriad stars from the east already puncture the black velvet, criss-crossed with a grid of shooting stars. Out here, with virtually no degrading onshore lights, these phosphor trails streak bright in all directions, across the firmament, their life finishing almost before it has begun. So stunning, so brief, so many, uncountable – this night is perfect – still, warm ... (read more)

Author: vincent bossley | Article Views: 785

7. River Thames Jet Boat Hire Experience
December 05, 2007


Private charter speed boat rides and Thames jet boat experiences are relatively new to the Thames and a welcome change from the traditional slow moving sightseeing Thames boat hire. Now in their second year Thames speed boat hire is no longer a new fad, but a proven exciting way to view the wonderful sights of London. Generally more popular in the spring, summer and autumn RIB speed boat charters on the Thames have grown in popularity. Developing from the RIB speed boat rides and other general boat hire in London, earlier this summer London saw the arrival of an exciting new craft,... (read more)

Author: Neil Dennis | Article Views: 621

8. Canal Boats - The basics
November 26, 2007


Know nothing about canal boats? Here's the absolute basics laid out for you. 1) What's the difference between a canal and a river? Canals are manmade waterways, built in Britain during the industrial revolution some 200 years ago. Therefore they do not have a current like a river does, making them much easier for navigating a boat! Some canals do join up with rivers but first timers should stick to the canals. 2) What is a canal lock? A lock allows you to go up or down hills on the canal. It's a simple piece of engineering that sometimes scares first time boaters... but t... (read more)

Author: Chris Brown | Article Views: 798

9. Galapagos Illusions and Port Protocol
November 18, 2007


GALAPAGOS’ ILLUSIONS AND PORT PROTOCOL As the black tooth climbs higher into the sky it begins to look more like an island of some substance. From the charts and its shape, it is established that they are indeed gazing at Santa Cruz Island. On the western side is Academy Bay and Puerto Ayora, their final destination. At this moment, with the island dominating the offing, it suddenly disappears and leaves what appears to be a blank canvas on which, only moments ago was a very real island. The captain, deliciously (for him), allows the crew to panic momentarily and then explains rather lo... (read more)

Author: vincent bossley | Article Views: 2026

10. South Seas Anchorage - Rangiroa Atoll, French Polynesia
November 14, 2007


SOUTH SEAS ANCHORAGE – RANGIROA ATOLL, FRENCH POLYNESIA Bearing down on the Tuamotus, our crew are keeping a sharp lookout ahead. They know now that the first sighting of land is going to be the fronded crown of a palm tree, rooted in the sand of a coral atoll barely above sea level. The expectation of being the first to spy one of these occupies our crew with the formidable fervour of young boys. In the event, a number of these mop tops sluggishly grow out of the southern horizon, bathing in the western afternoon sunlight. Staring at an empty horizon for so long, these rising palms, eage... (read more)

Author: vincent bossley | Article Views: 2271

11. Beachcombing - Rangiroa Atoll, Tuamotus, South Seas
November 11, 2007


BEACHCOMBING – RANGIROA ATOLL, TUAMOTUS, SOUTH SEAS Glittering sunlight shafting diagonally through his open hatch, her captain gradually becomes conscious another day has dawned. Powerless to resist the pull, he rises, and standing on his bunk, pokes his head out of the hatch surveying the early morning scene. That gorgeous dewy look is everywhere - running rivulets off the sky, dripping from the palms, slithering down the glass of the hatch and collecting momentarily in prismatic globs on the sun greyed teak decking. Airborne frangipani fragrance wafts all around and our captain espy’s... (read more)

Author: vincent bossley | Article Views: 2104

12. Two Men in a 'Dog' of a Cat
November 04, 2007


TWO MEN IN A ‘DOG’ OF A CAT Blustering upriver, salty and tangy, the afternoon breeze invades their senses. On such a bright and blue Queensland post meridiem our two heroes choose to launch themselves onto the waters by renting a catamaran for an hour or two. The previous day, with a much more gentle breeze, they had chatted up the attendant and been informed that the questionable and lonely looking twin hulled unit languishing on the sand strip was a bit of a ‘dog’ to sail on account of the starboard sponson opening up when tacking and allowing the ingress of water. The boat they neede... (read more)

Author: vincent bossley | Article Views: 2086

13. Wildlife on a British Canal Boat Holiday
October 30, 2007


A canal boat holiday is an excellent way of getting a little bit closer to nature. Gliding gently along the UK's canal network you'll be treated to some spectacular encounters with some of Britain's best loved wildlife. Fortunately canal towpaths have been relatively unscathed by farming and urban development, and so they remain an ideal habitat for flora and fauna to thrive. On your canal boat holiday you will be in a privileged position to drift past unspoilt landscapes full of wild treasures. British bats flying low over the water catching small insects in the early evening are j... (read more)

Author: Chris Brown | Article Views: 887