Toodle-oo! has spent the season in New England (we shipped her back from the UK last year). It 's been a great sailing season here this year - lovely weather and great wind. We 've had Toodle-oo! on a mooring in Mattapoisett on Buzzards Bay - great sailing location with Martha 's Vineyard, Nantucket and the Elizabeth Islands all close by.

Unfortunately, the season has ended abruptly for us as she suffered a lightning strike last week, frying all the electronics aboard - so we 're sailing to Portsmouth, RI next week (familiar enough area so no need of a sextant!) to be hauled at New England Boatworks for assessment and repairs...

Bummer!

Bill Balme

Wow that 's a dramatic end to the season. Were you on board at the time?
Simon

So, Toodle-oo! is in the British Virgin Islands, heading down the island chain this season. After our summer shakedown cruise to Nova Scotia and Newfoundland (and repairs to the stuff that got shaken out!) we headed south with the Salty Dawg rally from Hampton, VA to Virgin Gorda.
Not sure what next summer will bring - looking for someplace cool to cruise in the summer months - difficult to find when we 're in the tropics - any ideas appreciated!

Bill Balme

Toodle-oo! is back in Whitehaven, Cumbria. I say back, because we were here 5 years ago. I have to say, Whitehaven is one of the most improved towns I've seen. Last time, it was absolutely filthy with loads of trash in the water, the people were downcast, the shops were dour and many boarded up. This time, the harbour is much cleaner (still some way to go) everyone is more cheerful and there's more going on. What's more, there's tons of money coming into the region and the town has some ambitious projects including a 180 bed 4 star hotel, a tech center, new office block, etc. And - the marina is great, the staff all very helpful and friendly and the marina is full! Is it a top destination? Maybe not, but with the Lake District so close, it certainly is a place worth considering.

We're here for the winter before heading off on the Celtic Cruise in May and then on up to the Outer Hebrides... we hope.

If anyone's passing by Whitehaven - please stop in for some refreshment aboard Toodle-oo!

Bill Balme