There has been an advertisement running over the last year or so for the teaching profession with the strapline “Use your head”. Very good advice, no doubt; but perhaps less suitable for refit helpers. This week Kathryn seems to have misinterpreted the slogan while painting in assorted lockers and other confined spaces, and has had to have a haircut as a consequence. All those of you who are planning to come down over the next few weeks: there is no truth in any rumours of a paintbrush shortage. But it might be a good idea to bring a hat. (Knowing the sense of humour of most OYT supporters, I fully expect a parade of trilbies or artificial fruit now…..)

Something else you could usefully bring if you come to the refit is some old rags – we go through an awful lot when cleaning areas for painting, and we always need more.

And if anyone knows any sources of cheap or free personal protection equipment, please get in touch with Wolf.

Many thanks to all those who have been getting in touch to arrange their refit dates. Those who haven’t done so yet, PLEASE call Wolf on 07771 771864 – don’t assume we’re getting along fine without you, we really need you!

Also thanks to all the people who have been booking on various courses for the training weekend Feb 19th – 20th in Gosport. The VHF / GMDSS course is now FULL, with a waiting list, so Wolf is hoping to arrange an extra date for it – anyone else interested in joining the list, please let me know. There are, however, still a few spaces on both the radar and first aid courses, and for the charts and passage planning session.

Details of times and places for these courses will follow as soon as possible; but some of the organisers are working at the London Boat Show. We’ll sort details when they get back and have had a chance to recover.

Those people who have already booked on one of these courses: can you let me know a.s.a.p. whether you would like to stay in the refit house on any of the nights over that weekend – Friday, Saturday or Sunday; whether you plan to be around for the meal on Saturday night; and whether you will be joining the crew welfare session on Sunday morning and the AGM on Sunday afternoon (2.30pm, TS Hornet Sea Cadets, Gosport).

Of course, the whole weekend is also open to people who aren’t doing any of the courses – so please come along for the social bits, and let’s also have a good turnout for the AGM.

Last week I advertised Tony Salmon’s Powerboat Level 2 training course: there has been a change of date, and it will now take place over the weekend of 12th-13th March – please let me know if you would like to book on this.

Crew bookings: Last week I appealed for help in filling spaces following a cancellation on the first voyage of the year. Many thanks to Fraser Old for solving the problem via a contact at a local school – the places have now been filled!

We do still have crew vacancies at other times, both for regular voyages and for the Tall Ships Race – please contact the office on 0870 241 2252 or email office@oytsouth.org for latest availability and information on bursaries for those who would struggle to afford the full fees.

Sea staff bookings are going well, and we have a number of new people booked in for assessments. However, there are still plenty more spaces, so please email me or call 07986 354697 to book your berth(s). I have just two spaces left for the mates’ training weekend on board John Laing on 6th-8th May – let me know if you are interested. I’m also taking bookings for another mates’ training weekend 16th-18th September.

There are also still a few spaces on the adult familiarisation voyage (for prospective sea staff, group leaders, potential donors and even parents who are jealous of their offspring’s sailing exploits with us) on 6th-10th April. If you can’t make that, the next adult familiarisation trip is 12th-16th September.

News from the boat: Last weekend saw a lot of good work done, with help from Kathryn and from Tom Hughes. Judy Holmes has also been down over the last couple of days. We’ve now done two coats of paint in the gas locker; one in the cockpit locker (and Kathryn’s hair); a second coat is just being done in the forepeak; lots of work has been done on the bits of deck that needed attention; 90% of the topsides has been sanded. Wolf nearly killed himself with the effort in starting to get the anodes off the hull. The winches are off and Chris from Contact Marine has taken the bases away. Fraser has gone off with the bottle screws to work on those. And the oilskins are back again, having been checked, cleaned, sorted and repaired by Peter Hughes and his wife. Many thanks to everyone for all their support and enthusiasm.

Wolf took a couple of days off at the start of the week, which included a visit to the Boat Show. It was great to see so many friends there, and Wolf would particularly like to thank everyone for their generosity at the Guinness Stand.

Lots happening next week – plenty of sanding and painting, plus the return of Princess Craig!