Our now nearly exhausted reporter, Scoop MacPhee has tracked down Gwyn Phillips, the owner and skipper of Sassie Lassie, the 40 foot yacht that this web site is all about.

Gwyn is presently at his home in Rosemarkie where he is preparing to leave for Miami in two days.

Scoop:  Hey Gwyn!  Just about ready?

Gwyn:  I’d have been ready two days ago except for eejits like you bothering me and other eejits like Davidson e-mailing me about shopping lists,  He’s concerned about snacks of all things!

Scoop:  You mean snacks for on the voyage?

Gwyn:  Aye.  One of the purposes of this voyage is for all of us to lose some weight.  And he thinks we should be buying snacks for the crew.  Fat chance!

Scoop:  Any other problems?

Gwyn:  I’m worried that the crew will be served free Guinness on the flight to Miami and will be legless until we sail.  My only hope is that there won’t be any Guinness on the plane.  Or that it won’t be free.  That’ll keep them from drinking.

Scoop:  Drink is a real concern, is it?

Gwyn:  Naw, not really.  They’re a responsible lot and great sailors.  As well, if anything goes wrong, one of them will be able to fix it.

Scoop:  Can Alex fix things as well?

Gwyn:  Ha!  His fixing talents are limited to fixing a gin and tonic.  We don’t let Alex touch anything mechanical.

Scoop:  Is everything ready for the sail?

Gwyn:  Pretty well.  There are a number of jobs that need doing on the boat and we have to provision it with food and a lot of other stuff.  I expect an argument from Alex about the quality of the toilet paper we buy.

Scoop:  And what are the sleeping arrangements on board?

Gwyn:  I get the Captain’s berth.

Scoop:   Any other crew problems?

Gwyn:   Well, Alex was asking about what music will be provided.  With George on board, you don’t need anything else.  He wanted to know if I was bringing my guitar.  We’re only flying economy for goodness sake.

Scoop: Any statement you’d like to make, Gwyn?

Gwyn:  Yes!  This is a voyage of a lifetime, on my own boat, with people aboard who will make it an enjoyable time for all.  We’ll see you all In Cromarty and we’ll all have a pint in the Royal!