I name this ship 'Breeze'.

Well, after an enormous amount of discussion we have alighted on a name. The new boat is to be called 'Breeze'. Not the most imaginative name, we accept, but we always had in mind use on the radio and what effect the name might have on a future owner. We rather liked 'Premier Crew' - wine buffs among you will appreciate that, but that got marked down for it's radio friendliness - or lack of it. 'Rum Line' (one for the navigators) was top of the charts for a while but we could see a lifetime of mis-spellings.

So Breeze it is.

Now what do we do about this blog?

Pink Ribbon Walk

Jo and Nicola at the end of the Pink Ribbon Blenheim Walk. 10 miles around Oxfordshire countryside starting and ending at Blenheim Palace. After months and months of training in all weathers, including snow, they did the course in just over 3 hours...that was an hour faster than predicted.

Jo raised £360 for the charity, twice the target figure. She says a big thank you to all her generous sponsors - not only for your cash but also for your support.

Rum Line

AT LAST.

Well, we've done it. After eighteen months of indecision and futile searching we have, at last, found a boat we like. Today we went on a sea trial - the last hurdle before actually finally committing. We loved it. The contract is signed, the extras are being fitted, she'll be ours in three weeks.

The sea trial was interesting. Steady winds of around 15 knots with gusts up to 25 knots. I had anticipated a lively trial with the boat being a bit of a handful in the gusts. There was no reef in either main of gib and she was quite happy. She felt solid, reacted with dignity to the gusts and gently rounded up if the gusts were sustained. A very well behaved German lady.

I suspect she'll be a bit sluggish in light airs and we may need to consider a downwind sail for those times when the wind doth not blow.

She is quite big, so there's plenty of room for extras. We are having radar and autopilot fitted. The Jacuzzi is going in next week, the helicopter pad the week after followed by the nine-hold golf course the week after that. Oh, OK I exaggerate but there is a lot of space although locker space on deck is a bit tight. Not sure yet quite how we are going to accommodate our dinghy.

Now the difficult bit - we need a name.

We quite liked JoT - "S/Y JoT", or should that be "YoT JoT"? Anyway, the observant among you will recognise the name is based on Jo and Trevor. A friend has pointed out that it could deter the next buyer - so JoT bit the dust. Current favourite is "Rum Line" - nautical pun for the navigators among you. If we had any teetotal friends they'd probably point out it would deter the entire Methodist fleet when we come to sell - but as we know no tee totalers that's not going to be a problem.

Cheers.