Sad news

I sought out Marks posts on the forum, for both entertainment, and a reminder of how to enjoy life. I wish I had met Mark for a beer or a sail.
My condolences
Pete
 
I was totally saddened and shocked to hear about Mark. I had only known him personally for a short time, during which I grew to like him. I am full of admiration for your recent overnight delivery passage with Mark. He will be remembered and missed.
 
I'm not the kind of guy to post a condolence message normally. But despite having never met Mark (or Solent Clown as he is known in my head) I really liked him. I liked his style. His honesty of learning from failures. His willingness to take on a challenge. I don't mind admitting I maybe even admired his achievements like some might a sporting hero or a celebrity!

Karen, he spoke very fondly of you, despite his cheeky references to you.

A great loss.

Take care and don't be a stranger.
 
Sincere condolences . A great guy on this forum whose posts always enjoyed by many . He always put a new angle on any ideas and challenges he faced in life I'm sure and his contributions always added interest to topic.
 
I don't know why I'm so late in reading this awful news. What a terrible, shocking bolt from the blue. I'm so sorry for you.

anoccasionalyachtsman said:
There aren't many people on the internet that I really hope to meet one day, but Mark was one of them.
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Exactly what I was thinking. Mark struck me as energetic and capable, but also so modest and honest. Every account of his progress on the various boats was wonderfully accessible, involving and interesting, and won't be forgotten.

Nobody who knows me would put me in charge of making instant coffee, but if I can help with moving gear, lifting, sanding and painting, PM me and I'll do all I can to help.

Dan
 
Mark's posts always brought a smile to my face - and I knew his threads would always be a good read. Heartfelt condolences to you and the family.
 
My kids have set up some page on a website for our family friends to contribute etc
So monies raised would go to restoring Brynbellla so when she were to be finished I have said anyone who has helped in her restoration could go for a sail or longer stay.
Now I don't know if anyone has used this type of modern youth way of funding things or is it a no no.
But I couldn't have them just post give our mum some money to pay for Dads funeral to me the boat was his dream and I have to find a way to restore it.
Have I just done something stupid or is boat restoration funding like this possible or is it a legal omg you stupid woman?
Obviously I am just trying to find a way.
All help gratefully received

Karen
 
I can't do anything, I don't have a magic wand, a time machine - I only know that I tell you now:
Life really is too bloody short, it can be over in a blink of an eye and those left behind suffer the most unbearable pain imaginable.
If you love someone don't ever let them forget it, don't have futile quarrels and don't bloody sulk. Make each other happy, do everything together like every day was your last.
Don't end up with one of you here like me feeling this awful pain, loneliness and a sadness that is eating you alive - where every moment is a nightmare.
Just bloody love each other, be there together and never stop having adventures.
 
Mrssolentclown said:
My kids have set up some page on a website for our family friends to contribute etc
So monies raised would go to restoring Brynbellla so when she were to be finished I have said anyone who has helped in her restoration could go for a sail or longer stay.
Now I don't know if anyone has used this type of modern youth way of funding things or is it a no no.
But I couldn't have them just post give our mum some money to pay for Dads funeral to me the boat was his dream and I have to find a way to restore it.
Have I just done something stupid or is boat restoration funding like this possible or is it a legal omg you stupid woman?
Obviously I am just trying to find a way.
All help gratefully received

Karen
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It's a tricky subject Karen. People often set up pages on Just Giving and similar to raise money for projects which might chime with a particular community. There was one flagged up on here a year or so ago about an old sailor who lost his boat and people were trying to raise money so he could buy a new one. I contributed a few Pounds to that cause and I believe that he exceeded the modest £10k target. I believe that the site take 5% to cover their costs which seems reasonable.

If your kids have set up something similar through a proper fund-raising site to raise money for the boat rebuild then post the link on here and let people decide for themselves whether or not they wish to make a contribution. I would but others might not, which is fine as not everyone is in the same position as me.

There might be one or two who don't like the posting of such links but just ignore them. They don't have to contribute if they don't want to.

Richard
 
Mrssolentclown said:
I can't do anything, I don't have a magic wand, a time machine - I only know that I tell you now:
Life really is too bloody short, it can be over in a blink of an eye and those left behind suffer the most unbearable pain imaginable.
If you love someone don't ever let them forget it, don't have futile quarrels and don't bloody sulk. Make each other happy, do everything together like every day was your last.
Don't end up with one of you here like me feeling this awful pain, loneliness and a sadness that is eating you alive - where every moment is a nightmare.
Just bloody love each other, be there together and never stop having adventures.
Click to expand...

Some very wise advice, there, particularly for a grumpy old git like me.

Thank you!

Edit

Don't be hard on yourself. I think most of us, most of the time, have a tendency to act as if life will go on for ever.

We all have bad moods, and stupid, hurtful, arguments with those closest to us.

What shines through from your writings with Mark is a fun, spontaneous and loving relationship.
 
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Karen

Excellent advice...I think we all "know" that but it's very easy to lose sight of it sometimes. It's the kind of thing you should read to yourself every morning.

A donations page...it's a tricky one. Some people may be very generous, some people may want to be but can't, some people may expect a "return" with regular updates and "why isn't it finished" questions. I've seen similar outcomes on a car restoration under similar circumstances. However what everyone on this forum will absolutely have in common is a desire to see your boat finished and sailing.

Some, not all, contributors here will have a fair bit of time on their hands, I know there are many retired folks on here for a start. And almost all of us will have "bits that might come in useful" sitting in garages and sheds...that we all know will never get used. Everything from old electronics to charts to antifoul to props to sails. You've got experts on electrics, rigging, metals, GRP repair...a huge amount of skill to tap into here.

What about making a list of everything you need in terms of bits, skils and help, and posting it here. Mark loved to share his exploits and projects on here, and I'm sure he'd be delighted to see people working together to get the boat done. It could be a very social occasion for his "fanbase", and could just be seen a lovely, positive legacy for him. And I'm sure if the project crew said "we really need £50 for a heads repair kit" people would put their hands in their pockets too. I'd also be amazed if PBO themselves didn't want to get involved in the restoration and the story. It kind of epitomises what the forum and the magazine are about.

I'm clearing my garage out at the moment and have a box full of bits that were going to go on the for sale section here...you are welcome to any of it, I shall make a list if you think this is a flyer.
 
So sorry to hear this news. Any post on here from the Solent Clowns was always a joy to read and confirmed my faith in humanity. Thank you.
 
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