Not so far as I know Bern, sorry.
So, whatever happened to SIBman after this epic adventure?
A couple of years later we moved up permanently to our home in the Scottish Highlands in a coastal fishing village on the Moray Firth, and of course Quicksilver came with us.
I explored the coastal area near to us and the Cromarty Firth. I also took the SIB over to the West Coast and particularly remember some exciting and spectacular trips into Loch Glencoul and Edrachillis Bay (mentioned in the videos). I was running a photographic business at the time and even took some clients out with me in the SIB!
Eventually in 2014 Quicksilver was sold. The engine went to a neighbour and the SIB and trailer went to a young lad over in Morayshire.
****WARNING**** Non SIB or RIB related content!
We purchased a motorhome which we had for a couple of years and went exploring Europe. The motorhome was sold and....
...we purchased a second hand caravan! I thought that I'd whisper that as it sounds like I lost my marbles!
However, in the same spirit of adventure that I undertook The Great Orkney SIB Expedition 2003, having spent a couple of winters in the sun, Aldalucia and The Algarve, the call of adventure took hold again. in 2019 we purchased a brand new and larger caravan (note I'm not whispering now) and set off on another adventure.
Inverness to Marrakesh 2020
We took the caravan down through the UK, on the ferry to Santander, down through Spain to Algeciras (near Gibraltar) then loaded onboard our outfit another ferry and sailed over to Africa!
I can tell you that you don't see may caravans in Morocco, indeed we only saw two others whilst we were there (and they were Germans), plenty of European motorhomes but no other UK caravanners. It was another epic adventure.
Then having returned to Spain and settling in Portugal, so we thought, for the rest of the winter, the pandemic hit. We were thrown out of Europe and had to make a mad dash back to the UK via Calais and Euro Tunnel. There were no campsites open so we stayed the night in truck stops on the way, getting from The Algarve to Calais in just 4 days. BTW Morocco was brilliant and we will be back there for an even longer visit as soon as conditions allow.
****WARNING**** Boat related content that includes sails!
However, I have not abandoned boating altogether. Down in The Algarve I have been out sailing in my cousin's daughter's husband's yacht (complicated but I'm sure you can work it out). Now that is a very different experience to being in a big RIB. The thing was leaning over at about 45 degrees and I was sure we would capsize!
The exciting news is that Dave (Cousin's Daughter's Husband) is a qualified yachting instructor and he now has a RIB and is teaching RIB courses!
I have also been on my cousin's boat which he lives on in Vilamoura Marina (very posh).
I also have a Kayak at home which I use in the bay.
So, SIBman is still having adventures, but of a different kind.
The Great Orkney SIB Expedition 2003 and Inverness to Marrakesh 2020 have taught me that if you chase your dreams they can come true. My philosophy on life is GOYAADI -
Get
Off
Your
Arse
And
Do
It!
So that's you all up to date. Thanks for joining in....
Keith Hart
SIBman
spy-sea-one
! Some of the tales of Caledonian cruising from this era spurred me into heading North . I was lucky enough to meet Doug Crockett and " Scotsribs " who opened up a whole new world of ribbing possibilities up there . I think our paths crossed briefly at the inaugural RIBnet " Plymouth " Cruise ? I also met Brian and Mike on a couple of occasions . Top blokes !
