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.

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10 Responses to Seablog: Introducing The Rt. Hon. Tweedle le Grand

  1. Susie Calderan says:

    Would love to see Mrs Otter. Send her across! I think you’d be asking for nothing but trouble with a pet haggis to be honest. Terrible personal habits, and I don’t want to think what it would do to the pilot fish…

  2. Hilly says:

    We can’t even imagine what you are going thru but all the fellas following you on the Sunshine Coast Qld wish you a very merry time row, row, rowing you’re boat gently ‘cross the ocean all the best for the down hill part of the journey.

  3. Amanda B says:

    Love the update on the Tweedles! Do you think that you will pass into fishy folklore? In coming years stories will be told amongst generations of Tweedles about the time when a great voyager was protected by the legendary The Right Honourable Tweedle le Grand…so pleased that you haven’t eaten any of them! Good luck to you and Bob,
    Amanda x

  4. Kate Llewelyn says:

    Hey Sarah, the Just Giving site has passed the £5,000 mark. Wow! Well done!
    Kate x

  5. xtina says:

    Hi Sarah
    Not spoken for a few days, twas busy writing a poem for the Ferkin boys, (excuse the expression)…. As you may know they hit the 1000 nm mark on Tues\Wed!!!xx i need map like your Mum’s, as i could then see where you all are.
    They too have a Blue fish following them, will be called Bluey2 yours being Bluey1. Wish we knew what sort of fish this is?i could then draw it for Amelia.Can you describe it?

    Thinking of you ~ bring on the ‘Red Carpet’ a.s.a.p.
    xT

  6. Sue says:

    A belated Happy Birthday to you Sarah, you are doing brilliantly. I have been without internet access and as an avid ‘dot watcher’ of Rowing for Prostate, you know what that has meant. They, like you have had a torrid time of it recently, and you could all do with some favourable winds…………they must come soon! Your blogs are great reading, like Billy’s on R4P, and it is just so hard to imagine what it’s really like for you guys, but you have the most wonderful support from all of us, and we do so look forward to seeing you all safe and sound in Mauritius. Keep on rowing. Sue Wigram

  7. Anita says:

    Aha – you may have the odd little problem like winds and current against you, but at least you can’t say you suffer from flat tyres (especially after all that chocolate). I would therefore contend that compared with cycling home from glassy Easton on the Hill after a pint of cider or 2, rowing across the glass-free Indian Ocean is a bit of a doddle.
    Axxx

  8. BPC and Albie says:

    Love the image of you swimming in a zebra like swarm!! Almost wish i was there with you 😉 hold on tight till the red carpet arrives. xxx

  9. Grandma Barb says:

    Hello Sarah:
    I also want to wish you a belated birthday Sarah.May you have a wonderful year with lots of safe adventures.
    As always take extra care especially when you’re expecting a battering
    from the west.
    Grand Barb

  10. ian says:

    hi sarah,hope the expected battering does not prove too severe,must say i was laughing at the idea of the “fishcade”,in some ways i do envy your current situation being so far away from north korean/usa sabre rattling and the steady demise of political honour and trustworthyness,these are odd times indeed….hope bob is looking after you and dippers,fingers crossed for a fairly peaceful few days ahead!
    regards
    ian

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