August 10 -11-12 Drinking with Madmen and playing Russian Roulette with Lobster Pots

In Eyemouth we repaired the engine and repaired our frazzled nerves in the time honoured tradition known to sailors worldwide, drinking. A mad singlehander had rafted up to Rumline in a bright yellow extreme open 28 foot catamaran, a large floating banana split. With madmax sunglasses, a bright orange survival suit and a thick german accent he politely said "may eye pleeze come here". Of course I said, I hate when people are unwelcoming when pulling alongside. We took his lines and invited him to join us for a wee dram.

Falk and his vessel Amino

Falk and Gareth

Falk is one of these wonderfully normal people doing something quite extraordinary with out fuss or self promotion. Just fun and personal challenge. He is also circumnavigating the UK, but solo on what amounts to an open boat. No shelter except a small spray hood, no galley, no heads, no nothing really, just a tiny coffin like berth in one hull and a bright orange survival suit. To quote Falk, "if I fall in I have a PLB and can last 24-48 hrs in the water, no problem". He is a middle-aged madman despite his gentle and very proper demeanor.

We open the bottle and then another, I made all of us a hot meal and sealed our friendship with venison stew. We decided to shadow each other for fun and meet up again in Blyth. Warm food was definitely the way to this man's heart.
We sailed to Blyth arrived late after a nerve-wracking game of Russian roulette with the pots.