Seablog: Introducing The Rt. Hon. Tweedle le Grand

When I first introduced you to The Tweedles, there was just Tweedledum and Twedledee with a few anonymous extras. Well, our stripey cavalry has steadily grown in number over recent weeks and now we have a very impressive ‘Fish-cade’ (bit like a motorcade, only more fishy) escorting us about. Maybe they’re to blame for our squiggling?

Ah. Cue explanation. For those of you who have only recently joined our oceanic caravan you may be raising your eyebrow and backing away quietly, at the talk of The Tweedles. Well, firstly, I wouldn’t go too far – it’s a long swim home. Secondly, worry ye not. The Tweedles won’t hurt you, they are my friends. They are our very own collection of pilot fish – black and white stripeys, and swim under, around and infront of, the boat. In fact I was very excited to see them riding our bow wave. More excited perhaps to think we even travel fast enough to kick up a bow wave.
They are an earnest, inquisitve crowd who always come alongside to nibble the remnants of dinner when I wash my cooking pot overboard. When I go swimming they become very excited and all swarm round me to have a look and a nibble – it’s like being in a cloud of mini fish-shaped zebras. Very entertaining.

Well, returning to their agrondissement… As well as gaining in number, we have also acquired some Senior Tweedles. First, the title of Tweedle le Grand was bestowed upon a fine fellow of six inches. Now I realise even he is just a young pretender for he has recently been usurped by the real macoy, The Right Honourable Tweedle le Grand.

The current champion is at least a foot long. A perfect size for tea. Ha! I wouldn’t dream of it. Fish are friends and not food. I did try and catch one of the Junior Tweedles in my sieve so I could put him in a bucket and take photos, but he said the sieve tickled, and laughed so much that he leapt clear out of it and back into the drink. So I like to think I haven’t entirely shamed the fishing prowess out of my family (the boys are all fine fishermen) for I did catch him in a sieve. In the early days I tried fishing with the hand line my wee brother had given me, but was secretly happy that I didn’t catch any. The thought of eating one of my friends was enough to put me off my chocolate. And then I lost my cooking pot overboard so feel that, too, is reason enough. Besides, apart from The Tweedles, the other fish who visit are Huge with a capital ‘H’. Far too big for me and I would hate to waste it.

Bob has been deployed to strut his stuff once more as we are expecting a battering from the West. When Ricardo tells me I am brave and then drops into the conversation that there is a front headed my way, I know we’re in for a walloping. Arrgh! Another night in the crash helmet…

Still, red carpet arrives again soon and Westward we will go.

S, D & Bob x

PS

Mary Jo Johnson – Joeeeee! Laugh often about our Atlanticisms. Are you away playing sailors again soon?

Jenna – Crackers & Bogle? Lovely? They’re delectable! Good scoop my friend. Hay festival? The Book Fair or actually a festival of hay?

Susie Calderan – My Mum’s coming to Oban in August – for a ‘up n over Scotland’ trip with JST. You could meet her in your similar socks. Yum, would love a haggis out here. Buddhist boat though so we’d keep him as a pet.

Theresa White- Indeed I spend a lot of time on the ‘What next?’ question. Lots of ideas… Oh, to be a real live adventurer on my CV.

David Greenall – Possible for an organic air drop out here? I am sprouting lentils but that’s as far as the allotment goes. Can’t wait for fresh fruit n’ veg!

Big brother Mikey – Junior in age but as only sister inbetween you two I like to think I am in charge 🙂 Tehe. Happy jumping this weekend.

Kevin Lineham – Good ‘ole Padders, my link to Town from Oxford. My cabin is about the same size as the back of your Cab,I imagine.

Susie Hewson – Worried about you ever since you said you were ironing the lycra. Mistake you’ll only ever make once. Natracare logos looking splendid in the ocean sun btw.