PING PONG DERBY EXTRAVAGANZA GETS INTO GEAR

The 'runners' for the Ping Pong Derby numbered & crated inside the Thatched Tavern.

Sign on the village green for the short-sighted!

All the ping pong balls (280) are numbered and crated inside the Thatched Tavern.   You can own a 'runner' for the day for the lowly price of £1.  Prizes for the first three past the winning line.  A fun fund-raiser for a vitally serious addition to our village - a defibrillator.  Supporting features are a dog show with many different classes to enter.  Brian's organising the event and is arranging for a judge from outside the village.  Bottle and cake stalls - see the posters around the village for details.   Helpers on the day urgently needed, so please contact the Thatched Tavern (01803 329155) if you can lend a hand on Sunday 13th September.

BIRTHDAY PLOUGHMAN'S LUNCH AT THE THATCHED TAVERN

Mum and son at the Thatched Tavern (photo courtesy of my sister)

My thanks to Mick, Fiona and staff of the Thatched Tavern for looking after my dear old Mum on her birthday today. 

PING PONG DERBY STAKES

Mick takes charge of the 'contestants' for the upcoming Ping Pong Derby.

Coming to the village this September - the Ping Pong Derby.  Full details to come from the Thatched Tavern.

NATURIST ON NATURE RESERVE

Here's a Huffington Post type story regarding the RSPB Nature Reserve at Labrador Bay.  I have encountered a male naturist on several occasions and always within the confines of the RSPB reserve.
On the first occasion I was a little surprised to come across a gentleman wearing only a haversack as I was out running. On another day, I espied him from some way off up on a higher trail.
Yesterday I encountered him again as I climbed the field beside Commons Plantation (Suicide Wood) the most southerly field of the reserve. He was standing a little way down from the summit and admiring the views over Babbacombe Bay.  From afar, it looked as though he was wearing beige shorts.

Naturists on a Nature Reserve?

Fortunately I knew immediately who it was and chatted to him as I went past. He was holding a strategically positioned item in front.  I had wondered why I had never seen him on my journey back from Labrador bends. This time I did.  He was fully dressed (must have had his haversack nearby) and was, presumably, about to quit the reserve via the Teignmouth Road.
I thought this amusing little story may be useful information to ladies who perchance may come across this gentleman and subsequently not be unduly alarmed.
A naturist on a nature reserve - no, surely he cannot have his wires crossed ...

LYDIA D & TOW STILL GOING IN CIRCLES

Well, I thought that the Lydia D and her tow were safely en route to Las Palmas until I checked and saw her progress - or rather lack of  - as indicated in the map above.  After going round in circles (in fair weather) she must have burned a few thousand gallons of fuel which is not cheap.
The Lydia D is currently about 8 miles southeast of St Austell.

LYDIA D FAILS TO MAKE LANDFALL

The meanderings of the Dutch tug Lydia D and her tow have been curious.  She had been marking time in fair weather off Weymouth and the entrance to Lyme Bay since Sunday, prescribing a series of large circles.  Now five days later, the operation is currently some 30 miles south of Salcombe, making 4 knots en route for Las Palmas.  The AIS is intermittent and the vessel does not show with other vessels - a search of the name has to be punched in to reveal her position and track.
'Straightforward' is a word seldom used for these operations ...

DUTCH TUG AND TOW APPROACHING

The Netherlands flagged tug Lydia D and her tow the renamed tanker Vaishnavi (formerly Nelson) are currently off Weymouth on a heading for Torquay.  Their destination is given as Las Palmas, presumably for bunkering but my most reliable source has indicated that there may well be another Dutch tug and tow also heading this way, perhaps for a link up.
Despite increased security and preventative measures by the Nigerian government, the highly suspicious trade in aged waterway tankers with their shallow draught continues.  The vessels are able to ferry stolen oil from pipelines out into deep water for transfer to ocean going tankers.  Keep you posted on developments.