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Good idea
Good idea, watch that space heater- too close to the varnish and it might bubble. Boston Boat show is this week (bayside expo center), wait until the last day for making good cash deals on all those paint/varnish supplies.
Good idea, watch that space heater- too close to the varnish and it might bubble. Boston Boat show is this week (bayside expo center), wait until the last day for making good cash deals on all those paint/varnish supplies.
Never stops.
The boat is under cover with snow holding it down. But there is always something going on in the basement. So far: three coats of varnish on the dinghy floor, alternator tested good at the auto electric shop, repaired several loose seams on the old dodger, sewed a zipper into the bimini for an insert between it and the dodger, and started making the insert. There are so many projects that can make the days disappear while we await the spring launch. But a lot of evenings are just with a nice fire, the First Mate, and a good book. Right now that is my fourth Master and Commander(Desolation Island).
The boat is under cover with snow holding it down. But there is always something going on in the basement. So far: three coats of varnish on the dinghy floor, alternator tested good at the auto electric shop, repaired several loose seams on the old dodger, sewed a zipper into the bimini for an insert between it and the dodger, and started making the insert. There are so many projects that can make the days disappear while we await the spring launch. But a lot of evenings are just with a nice fire, the First Mate, and a good book. Right now that is my fourth Master and Commander(Desolation Island).
Ed, What's the trick...
...to reading Patrick O'brien? I started Master & Commander, but had trouble understanding the Old English that he uses in the text. I put it down and never resumed reading the series. I really wish that I could.
...to reading Patrick O'brien? I started Master & Commander, but had trouble understanding the Old English that he uses in the text. I put it down and never resumed reading the series. I really wish that I could.
Give him a chance
It took me about 1/3 of the first book, Master and Commander, to "learn" how to read his books. Like you, I started it and then stopped. I then went back and picked it up again and got to the point where I realized that I didn't need to know the name and location of every deck, sail, rigging, etc. on the ship. As you read, the story is more important then every minor detail. Also, the more you read, the more you will understand, but it will be enjoyable either way. I've read all 21 of his books and am on my second read through on them. A word of warning, they are very addicting!!!!
It took me about 1/3 of the first book, Master and Commander, to "learn" how to read his books. Like you, I started it and then stopped. I then went back and picked it up again and got to the point where I realized that I didn't need to know the name and location of every deck, sail, rigging, etc. on the ship. As you read, the story is more important then every minor detail. Also, the more you read, the more you will understand, but it will be enjoyable either way. I've read all 21 of his books and am on my second read through on them. A word of warning, they are very addicting!!!!
Same on both Accounts
Same here on both accounts - My basement is covered with all the interior wood I could remove from my Catalina 30. Just finished sanding this weekend - next is the cetol. I too have a tough time following O'Brien's writting style...I guess you need to just plow through the details and stick to the story.
Same here on both accounts - My basement is covered with all the interior wood I could remove from my Catalina 30. Just finished sanding this weekend - next is the cetol. I too have a tough time following O'Brien's writting style...I guess you need to just plow through the details and stick to the story.
Paul, Rob, and Jack Aubrey.
Brian has it right and Rob is on track. I found that reading fast helped. Skip right through the Old English and eventually it starts making some sense. I am enough of a sailing nut that I do refer too often to the picture of the rig. After the second book you pretty much know the ship though. I am too cheap to buy the books and get them from the public library. As a result I do not read them in order and it gets a little confusing. But not enough that you cannot read them any way you want. I wanted to read "Far Side of the World" before I saw the movie for example.
Brian has it right and Rob is on track. I found that reading fast helped. Skip right through the Old English and eventually it starts making some sense. I am enough of a sailing nut that I do refer too often to the picture of the rig. After the second book you pretty much know the ship though. I am too cheap to buy the books and get them from the public library. As a result I do not read them in order and it gets a little confusing. But not enough that you cannot read them any way you want. I wanted to read "Far Side of the World" before I saw the movie for example.
Uh, ... technically speaking
There is no "Old English" in the books. If there were, we couldn't read it. We'd have trouble galore with Middle English (AD 1066 to around 1485). What we are struggling with is 16th century English, Early Modern it's called, roughly 100 years after Shakespeare's retirement. (Don't you just hate it when a smart-assed, wannabe know-it-all jumps into the conversation?);D
There is no "Old English" in the books. If there were, we couldn't read it. We'd have trouble galore with Middle English (AD 1066 to around 1485). What we are struggling with is 16th century English, Early Modern it's called, roughly 100 years after Shakespeare's retirement. (Don't you just hate it when a smart-assed, wannabe know-it-all jumps into the conversation?);D
Way off topic
But maybe not. Maybe sitting around reading O'Brian is the proper way to spend the winter doldrums. I never had a problem with the language. Maybe because I read so much Hornblower and others before I ever read O'Brain. And if you do have a problem, a whole industry has sprung up offering different takes on the books, including a cookbook that I leant to someone and have not seen since.
But maybe not. Maybe sitting around reading O'Brian is the proper way to spend the winter doldrums. I never had a problem with the language. Maybe because I read so much Hornblower and others before I ever read O'Brain. And if you do have a problem, a whole industry has sprung up offering different takes on the books, including a cookbook that I leant to someone and have not seen since.
And on that note...
If you're thinking about replacing some canvas, sails, cushions, or other complex handmade items this year, it is _always_ a good idea to order early. As we get deep into spring and early summer lead times extend because the shops get backed up. And because these items are all one-off custom, and not stocked, there's little that can be done except to wait. Especially if you're counting on some new custom items for a cruise or vacation, order as soon as possible. We can already see volumes increasing and it won't be long before all the good suppliers are buried.
If you're thinking about replacing some canvas, sails, cushions, or other complex handmade items this year, it is _always_ a good idea to order early. As we get deep into spring and early summer lead times extend because the shops get backed up. And because these items are all one-off custom, and not stocked, there's little that can be done except to wait. Especially if you're counting on some new custom items for a cruise or vacation, order as soon as possible. We can already see volumes increasing and it won't be long before all the good suppliers are buried.
You want old English?
My newspaper, The Virginia Gazette, was founded in 1736 and featured six different versions of the "long s" resembling an f. As a result, the motto read "Containing the frefefht advicef, foreign and domeftic." Sounded like a journal for those with a speech impediment.
My newspaper, The Virginia Gazette, was founded in 1736 and featured six different versions of the "long s" resembling an f. As a result, the motto read "Containing the frefefht advicef, foreign and domeftic." Sounded like a journal for those with a speech impediment.
If you like O'Brien...
Check out the Flashman series by George MacDonald Frasier. Not much sea action, but it is some wonderful historical fiction, though a bit more humorous and bawdy than the Jack Aubrey stories. About a month and a half until splash date for me, with about 30 items on the list, including building new companionway drop boards using some gorgeous wavy teak veneer.
Check out the Flashman series by George MacDonald Frasier. Not much sea action, but it is some wonderful historical fiction, though a bit more humorous and bawdy than the Jack Aubrey stories. About a month and a half until splash date for me, with about 30 items on the list, including building new companionway drop boards using some gorgeous wavy teak veneer.
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