I was wondering if you could need the services of a past Silver Tiller winning crew for the 60th Anniversary  Tideway Race. I have checked my diary and am available for the day and thought perhaps if you had access to a boat I could bring the old 'hamper and champers' to while away the time during some of the quieter reaches of the Thames. We could even meet the day before at Tammy to discuss tactics - let me know!

Should be a fine display of displacement sailing if it comes off, Scotty.

That's the spirit...

brilliant - maybe I could get the much discussed rotating arm chair as the extension to guy winders "coffee table" installed. In fact the coffee table could also be extended to take the champers glasses and plates of truffles. We may also need one of those small fridges and a small generator - I will go on a strict diet immediately - how much will I need to lose to compensate do you reckon?

If up take the slabs up from the cellar that will help - but the champers could suffer as a result!

How about installing your amputated heads , one on the thwart and the other on the sidedeck. You could use your mouths for sheets etc. and shouldn't effect your normal mobility.
May even leave some space for beer, wine & a picnic hamper, although opening bottles etc may be a problem.

...but surely that leaves the stomachs behind!!

Gurn
SOme of the comments indictate a lack of gravity and seem to suggest that between us we might be a tad overweight. I am a mere 1 stone heavier than at the end of 1979 - in those days a 14.5 stone crew was OK - oh happy days!

Give me a call at work 01675 466344 so we can plan our campaign and, of course, menu. Is Gucci still your preferred sailmaker?

OK Scotty - so we take this seriously. I have reviewed my old notes for the 1986 reunion regatta at Upper Thames and stumbled upon the late George Slacks training regime, which seems a good model to follow. I will do one pressup later today, two in May and should peak nicley for the 18th June.

I am fairly certain that this headlong rush to Olympic levels of fitness will simply result in a handicap adjustment.  I am going to maintain my current status on both counts.  After all I did say never again (several times).

Another bit from George Slacks training schedule was 'Never sail when there is an 'R' in the month!

Scotty - think I will be doing a spot of rescue boat duty in my Zodiac - will wear by winter balacalva in case of cold weather, and might pop in to the House of Commons bar - I am sure they will remember me from my visit to my sister in law, who was James Callaghans secretary.
You are welcome to join me - Bring you own Bail money

To avoid disapointment, the Palace of Westminster is now firmly closed (Except Speaker's House)at weekends unless you can create a National Emergency and have a weekend sitting. Also sadly Speakers Steps are now wired off!

But like the support that Charles Clarke had a couple of weeks ago from our noble leader the decision to make the palace impenetrable could be reversed?  Perhaps if we use the words Invasion and Rockets on the site our brave intelligence service will pick up on it and create the emergency to which you refer!!

One other point "Gorbals Mick" is a non-drinker! So even if Gurn and his mates pentetrated the cordon they'd nopt get an alcoholic beverage.
 The security at The Palace of Westminster is pretty good having last week observed the panik caused at The Peers entrance when a disposable razor arrived in a jiffy bag, after long looks on the x-ray machine two brave souls dolled up in padded gear arrived and preceed by an assistant shouting "Unclean!" or words that effect it was carried to a "safe Place" to be opened! I guess the purple talcolm powder woke them up!

If we could get this access added to the europeans rights then on past record anything goes!

Did they carry the razo9r to a safe Palace or a safe place

Plaice!