Thoughts of Hoodlum Bear on Nightfall.

You might have seen a picture in the gallery of me? I’m a little knitted bear with a green ribbon (Is there any other colour on Nightfall?) and curious smile, thanks to the kind embroidery skills of a friend who took pity on me as she said I looked too sad. How did I get my name?

I was found in a muddy puddle just outside The Cooper’s Arms near Shamrock Quay in Southampton, the night before the Luijane Cup Race in May 1987 which is one of a series of RORC races that can count as qualifiers if you plus your boat want to take part in the Fastnet Race, which 8 people plus me did on a boat called Hoodlum, an OOD 34 that we chartered from Britannia Sailing. After being taken home and washed I have been part of Tom and Karen’s family and their boat mascot.

Ever since, T&K bought Nightlife in 2001 (their previous boat)I have lived permanently on board.

As far as Bears go, I now regard myself as well-travelled. I know that Paddington Bear came from Peru but I think that upon reflection I have travelled further. As well as the usual cruising along the south coast, I must have been to France about 40 times, as well as The Channel Islands, The Isles of Scilly, a circumnavigation of the UK,via Lands End, Milford Haven, Dublin and Strangford Lough near Belfast.

Once through the Crinan Canal I enjoyed 2 weeks cruising the Inner Hebrides and then the boat was laid up for the winter in Scotland. In the spring of 2005 I went through the Caledonian Canal to Inverness and then later travelled further north to The Orkneys. Later that year, Nightlife sailed south and so I ended up back in Haslar Marina in Gosport.

Throughout, 2005-2008, Tom continued to race offshore and so I went wherever he went too, whether I wanted to or not. The 2007 Fastnet race was pretty scary I can tell you. I’ve actually done 3 Fastnet Races which is more than ‘er indoors who has only done 1. (‘ees done 8). I did my bit to rescue a Frenchman who fell off his boat in 2002 and was rescued by the crew and ‘im indoors won a medal!

But my biggest adventure was the cruise to the canaries in 2009 and then taking part in a Transatlantic Race to St Lucia. ‘im indoors and his crew won the racing division. Winning was dead good and so were the parties. In 2010, after cruising north to Antigua, we took part in Antigua Race week which was fun but blooming hot for a wooly bear. In the summer of 2010, Nightlife was craned home on a cargo vessel, now that was exciting and ‘im indoors decided to look for a new boat.

And so, what about my new home on Nightfall?

Well, readers you have to remember that I am not allowed on deck so can’t comment on much up top but the ‘comfort’ areas down below I can. Nightfall is 2 feet longer than Nightlife and this means that she is wider too and has a larger saloon area. The table is bigger and more robust and the galley is well laid out with more cupboards for ‘stuff’ Both him and her are pleased that the rubbish bin can now be stored inside the cupboard under the sink and not dangling in the saloon. There are white curtains so I get a bit of privacy now. The hatches have fly nets so none of that nonsense with mozzies that we have had in the past. The fabric on the beds and seating areas is a subject of much annoyance. It is the wrong colour and Missus isn’t having any of it. It has got be changed for what they ordered. The main sleeping cabin is upfront and both him & her are still coming to terms with that change. At the back there are 2 double cabins and with the ability to turn the central cushion area into another large double berth, it will sleep 4 couples with ease. The malts locker is bigger! Tom’s beautiful, black carbon mast can seen and admired below.

So far with this boat I have travelled over 800 miles, from Sweden, through Denmark & Germany, bypassed Holland but sailed in Dutch territorial waters and am now being motored towards Eastbourne where we are mooring for the night.

What a life!

Hoodlum Bear.