Thursday 8 April 2010

My Hero - Wheelyboats and Flu


I'm just getting over (I sincerely hope) the worst fluey cold I've had for years. You know, where everything aches, including head, you get shivers the whole time and have not an ounce of strength anywhere. Even my hair has gone straight. Luckily Himself isn't too bad this week so he has been walking Molls (ie Very Short Walks) and will be in dire need of a Long Trek as soon as I am able.

Anyway enough of that. On to better things. Back in 1984, Himself was approached to design a boat for disabled anglers. He did the preliminary drawings and these were then taken to a marine architect to polish off (though they looked pretty polished to me). The boat was then launched by Prince Charles in 1985 and has gone from strength to strength - or so we gather. Himself was disillusioned by some of the people involved and decided he didn't want to be involved any further. As a result he declined any money or kudos.

Well, a few weeks ago he was in the van and heard something about Wheelyboats in Cornwall. We googled it when we got home and found that one's being used not far from us - and patrons include Jeremy Paxman and Bernard Cribbins (Curiouser and Curiouser...) so I emailed the Wheelyboat Trust and said "guess what? I'm married to the bloke who did the original designs" - or words to that effect.

Himself is far too modest to blow his own trumpet - pardon the pun.) I told him what I'd done and he looked horrified. "What did you do THAT for?" he said, as if I'd torched the place. I grinned smugly - I'd had a lovely email back from the Director of the Wheelyboat Trust saying how delighted he was to hear from me. He also said they'd sold over 100 boats and were launching the Mark III version of the Wheelyboat soon in Cornwall and would we be able to come along? You bet!

So any day soon we are off to Golant to meet Dick Strawbridge (he of the bulbous moustache) and other bods from the Trust and see Himself's fine work put to good use. I'm also writing a piece about it but if you want to see more about this great invention, here's the link.

Three cheers for Himself. I am so proud of him and he SHALL have his moment of fame...

17 comments:

Deborah Carr (Debs) said...

Definately three cheers to Himself for being so clever and to you for contacting the Wheelyboat Trust. I'm glad he'll get the recognition he deserves from designing something so clever.

Glad to hear you're on the mend too. Flu is so horrible. x

Akelamalu said...

Sorry to hear you've been ill m'deario.

Well done you for getting some Kudos for himself re the wheelyboat. You will take some photos won't you?:)

Vermont Designs said...

Hooray for Flowerpot! I was always dismayed (Mother too)by his reaction to the Wheelyboat takeover. Shall look forward to the mag piece and pix too I hope. See you in 12 days. SS.

Jenny Beattie said...

Wow. That's so exciting. Well done to him (and you for announcing it!)

Flowerpot said...

Debs - thabnks I will pass that on! (Yes had forgotten just how dire flu is!)

Flowerpot said...

Ak - I'm improving by the hour thanks! We're back and took lots of pics so will upload them over the weekend.

Flowerpot said...

Shelagh - you know what he;s like about some things. We had a great afternoon and took lots of pics which I will send over. See you v soon! xx

Chris Stovell said...

Hmm, I think we have another link in Himself's approach to life and DH! A big congratulations to him, no wonder you're proud.
Hope you are well and truly on the mend now. Cx

Flowerpot said...

Chris - extraordinary isn't it? They must be twins!! Yes I'm finally beginning to feel much better thanks - though now poor Pip has the streaming cold.

Ellee Seymour said...

He sounds very talented, and you have every reason to be prod of him. The flu you had sounds dreadful, glad it is behind you now.

Flowerpot said...

Ellee - yes he's a very clever man!

Pondside said...

Good morning Flowerpot (have to read further back to find out the reason for that name, I think)
Thanks for the visit - wonderful story about the boat - am off to follow the link.

Liane Spicer said...

He IS a hero indeed! So happy for both of you.

I had one of those colds in January and it was certainly no fun. Hope you're 100% better soon!

Flowerpot said...

Pondside - good to see you. Flowerpot came from one of my first nicknames from my husband! Long story....

Flowerpot said...

Liane - bloody cold just drips on - sick of it! Glad to hear you're over yours though.

MarmiteToasty said...

Sorry you have been so poorly...... Ive had a bunged up snozzle not for 3 weeks, but not nuffin like you have....sounds like you have proper flu and not that manflu that most get..

wow on the boats for those less able..... and how lovely that you will both get to see things as they are now.....

Tell them ya now want ya share of the spoils LOL


x

Flowerpot said...

marmie - nothing worse than a bunged up snozzle is there? Hope yours is better now. Asking for a share now is a good idea...