NEWS
THE FINAL CHAPTER BEGINS
Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:45:08 +0000

      Adrian Flanagan is about to set sail on the final leg of the Alpha Global Expedition. Success will see Flanagan become the first solo yachtsman to complete a ‘vertical’ circumnavigation of the earth. The last part of the voyage is a 1,600 mile stretch from Mehamn in northern Norway to The Royal Southern Yacht Club [...]

ABS, RS to work on Arctic LNG ships
Mon, 14 Apr 2008 09:36:52 +0000

Russian Northern Sea Route near Ostrov Peschanyy Photo: Adrian Flanagan Alpha Global Expedition CLASSIFICATION societies ABS and the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RS) are to jointly develop of classification rules for Arctic LNG Carriers under a wide ranging cooperative agreement between the two IACS members. BB.firetrench.com broadlyrisks.firetrench.com agx.firetrench.com ftnews.firetrench.com ftd.firetrench.com

An Appeal To Reason, A Cool Look At Global Warming
Wed, 09 Apr 2008 15:13:23 +0000

This is an important book, not least because it presents a view for reason which has been censored in many countries. The author begins by saying that his three previous books, in different genre, were published eagerly by British publishers, but that this latest book was flatly rejected by every British publisher even with the [...]

The holiday Adrian was dreaming of
Wed, 09 Apr 2008 09:15:31 +0000

Adrian with Benji and Gabriel at La Pirogue, Mauritius Gabriel’s first sailing lesson Gabriel and Louise Adrian and Benji in the canoe In an article published in the Telegraph at the end of last year asking well known adventurers what they were dreaming of having for Christmas, Adrian described the holiday we have just had. www.mauritius.net I have been staying [...]

Adrian talks at The Royal Lymington Yacht Club
Mon, 03 Mar 2008 15:52:43 +0000

Adrian and Louise Flanagan visited the Royal Lymington Yacht Club on Wednesday 27 February and gave a very interesting talk on Adrian’s vertical circumnavigation. Some 120 members were present and the talk went down extremely well. A lot of interest was shown in particular in his adventures - such as being swept overboard [...]

Sale “Barrabas” from Adrian Flanagan
Wed, 20 Feb 2008 15:42:14 +0000

“In October 2005, adventurer Adrian Flanagan set sail on the Alpha Global Expedition, a single-handed ‘vertical’ circumnavigation. In May this year, he will complete the last part of this spectacular expedition, from Norway to the south of England. As Adrian has new plans after the expedition, White Whale Yachtbrokers from Holland is honoured to offer [...]

A great day at The Collins Stewart London Boat Show
Sun, 20 Jan 2008 20:23:28 +0000

Adrian arrives on the main stage for his presentation Matt, Owain, Toby and Rob from Kemp Sails Adrian and Louise with Karen, John and Will Curry from Hydrovane

Adrian on stage at The Collins Stewart London Boat Show
Thu, 10 Jan 2008 09:16:55 +0000

  Adrian will be giving a 30 minute presentation on the Main Stage at The Collins Stewart London Boat Show on Sunday 20th January at [...]

Happy New Year
Mon, 31 Dec 2007 16:34:32 +0000

The FIRE Project Teams wish our readers, contributors and supporters a happy and successful 2008

Happy Christmas!
Mon, 24 Dec 2007 21:26:12 +0000


Over The Top
News Archive

27 June 2006
29.40N 149.40E
The music that keeps Adrian company

'Creative gave me two Zen Sleek MP3 players which Louise loaded with music, spending hours ripping CDs and sequestering music from everyone she  knew - the result is an eclectic compliation. To complete the sensaround experience, I bought an amplifier and hooked that up to the ship's speakers. The Zens plug into the amplifier and I can then adjust volume to suit my mood. So much for the hardware.

I had thought that music would be an indispensible part of my days and nights, but  it has transpired  to be less so than I had imagined. First was my concern about power consumtion - the amplifier is relatively thirsty, but more than that, the sea sings it's own song, it's tempo, pitch and volume as varied and infinite as the potential for any composer with a handful of notes to arrange.

There are of course my favourites - music of  the seventies' generation, among them The  Eagles, unquestioningly (in my opinion) the finest group ever to  strike a drum and  strum a guitar. 'Desperado' was selected by a friend of mine as my theme tune (it was even played at my wedding). The indefatigable "Stones" and the  timelessness of Billy Joel, The Kinks, Marmalade and of course "The King" all remind me of a partially mis-spent youth.

In more mellow mood,  I enjoy George Michael - a fabulous voice and the ability to match it to the right lyrics: Eva Cassidy, who sadly never won the recognition she deserved while she was alive - "The Water is Wide" is a beautiful number: Roberta Flack's rendition of "Killing Me Softly" always touches me: Bond's classsic rock variations, Simon and Garfunkel, Elton John...the Bhuddha Bar collections.

On clear nights with the stars pinholing black velvet, I can become contemplative. Then  its Albinoni's Adagios, choral music - I particularly like Gabriel Faure's 'Pavane'. Prokofiev's 'Spartacus - Romeo and Juliet' is beautiful. The Adagio of Spartacus and Phrygia (the theme to the 70's TV series 'The Onedin Line') is a particular favourite together with the manic  'Sabre Dance'.

I tend to sail the boat more aggressively in harsher  weather. Then it's time, at maximum volume, for Gun's 'n' Roses and The Manics (who play the best version of 'Suicide is Painless').'

When I need pumping up, there is one number that never fails to deliver
- Bon Jovi's 'It's My Life'...'I just want to live while I'm alive...'

The music of the Gipsy Kings is as evocative as it is unique - for some reason, I am always reminded of  driving around in a red, soft-top BMW...

Filtered in among all these are the show tunes, Bernstein's America and the triumphalism of Edward Elgar. There is one song from the stage production of Bombay Dreams - I think of my sons - 'The Journey Home Is Never Too Long'...