Swinging the Lamp

The podcast episode kicks off with Thor explaining his choice of wearing a life jacket, setting a tone for a narrative filled with amusing boat incidents. Thor recounts two particular instances of maritime blunders involving inebriated sailors, sparking a spirited dialogue on safety and sobriety at sea. As the conversation turns personal, Thor admits to his own 'muppetry' when he forgets to discon...

In this riveting podcast episode, veteran sailor John Passmore shares his humorous and harrowing experiences at sea while preparing for a monumental voyage to emulate Sir Francis Chichester's famous circumnavigation with a stopover in Australia. Amidst anecdotes, he reveals the perils of attempting to recharge a beard trimmer without the proper adapter, which comicly spares his boat from disaster....

Thor makes progress on. his boat while Rory encounters the Boston World Cup expereince

Thor and Rory discuss transport etiquette and Thor discovers a surprising thing about Rory's past.

Rory tells Thor about his boat travails and they end up swinging the lamp about iconic 80s culture.

Thor and Rory dive into the joys and challenges of sailing, touching on everything from shakedown cruises to long summer days in northern waters. They exchange stories of personal adventures, including sailing plans in Aberdeenshire and Shetland's nearly perpetual daylight. Meanwhile, a lighthearted chat on sailing etiquette turns into a discussion of recent scandals on the political front, remind...

Rory and regular guest Mark Thompson swing the lamp after sailing Bucephalus 500 miles from the Forth in Scotland to the Solent in England.

Thor is still in Shetland while Rory is almost ready for a re-location voyage to the Solent.

Thor is getting lunch ready in Shetland and Rory is making voyage preparations while swinging the lamp over canal transits and fishing economics.

Tam Laird, leader of the Scottish Libertarians, explores the intersection of politics and personal identity in an engaging podcast aboard Bucephalus moored in Fife. Initially aligned with the Scottish National Party, Laird dissociated himself due to its pro-European stance, finding instead a more fitting ideological home within libertarian principles. Despite his anarchist leanings, he works activ...

Rory tells Thor about his voyage from Eyemouth to the Forth and how some awesome friends helped him out in some unexpected ways.

This podcast episode covers a diverse range of topics, including the experiences of a comedian dealing with unexpected audience reactions, the rising cost of living impacting everyday people, and reflections on recent inflation trends. The conversation reveals an unexpected twist at a comedy show, where a spectator disrupts the performance over a perceived offence. Rory and Thor discuss the econom...

In this enlightening podcast episode, Kate Cope shares her captivating journey from a landlocked childhood to becoming an accomplished sailor and racer. Cope's enthusiasm for sailing, which began in her 30s during an impulsive Greek holiday, transformed her life as she pursued open ocean adventures and competitive racing. Listeners will appreciate her tales of sailing the Atlantic, competing in th...

The podcast episode dives into various intriguing topics, starting with a conversation about space missions and rocket launches that segues into a critique of leadership in politics and business. The discussion touches on the challenges faced by leaders like Trump and the expectations of accountability in corporate versus political spheres. Additionally, the podcast reflects on historical war crim...

In this episode, Thor and Rory dive into the nautical challenges faced at Port Edgar Marina, discussing the mysterious source of water on board and the intricacies of marine maintenance. As they troubleshoot issues from WiFi to engine troubles, they also touch on broader political themes like the US-Iran relations and the financial implications of peace talks. Amid the nautical discourse, they com...

Amidst technical setbacks, the Rory and Thor delve into boating stories, sharing updates on their ventures and technological advancements in their sailing experiences. They reminisce about the Canary Islands' allure while revealing their ambition for a transatlantic journey. As the Middle East unfolds into conflict, travel plans are reevaluated, highlighting the unforeseen consequences on flight p...

A debate around technology in education forms the crucial backdrop of this episode, as there is growing concern in Fife about providing iPads to primary school children. Hosts weigh in on the educational advantages and screen time implications, questioning the overall impact on young learners. They touch on geopolitical tensions as well, particularly British expatriates finding themselves amid con...

Explore the dynamic and fascinating world of ship pilotage in this podcast episode set in Scotland's Aberdour Boat Club. Rory shares his insights into what it means to be a ship pilot, detailing their responsibilities, training, and the essential role they play in safely manoeuvring massive vessels through tricky maritime terrain. The conversation is peppered with humorous maritime anecdotes, illu...

In this podcast episode, Rory and Thor are joined by former British diplomat Alex Parsons to delve into the geopolitical tensions unfolding between the US and Iran. With speculation of an imminent strike by the US, they explore potential responses from Iran, including the possibility of Iran targeting US naval assets or merchant ships. The discussion touches on internal US political dynamics, the...

In this episode, Rory and Mark Thompson discuss the intriguing delay of a Scottish ferry currently docked in Almeria, Spain. Having departed from Gibraltar over a week ago, the ferry faced inclement weather off Morocco before diverting to Spain. Initial speculations included crew rotations or poor weather conditions. However, new information casts doubt on these explanations, hinting at possible t...

This episode takes listeners from the sunny horizons of Texas to the bleak Scottish weather, through a conversation between two friends passionate about sailing. Rory and Thor discuss the quest for innovative sailing technologies like forward-facing echo sounders and their potential benefits. The conversation also steers towards a contentious ferry voyage fraught with delays and detours, all under...

Join Thor and Rory as they converse across time zones, discussing cultural observations and experiences from Texas to Scotland. Thor, stationed at a family friend's expansive Texan property, recounts warm adventures in America and an unexpectedly friendly welcome at Austin's airport. Rory, on the other hand, corrects some factual missteps from previous episodes while enduring Scotland's unforgivin...

Thor and Rory discuss whether the Golden Globe Race was really the "Maintenance nace Race" and wonder whether it's fair to boycott the USA world cup.

Thor and Rory tackle the thorny issues of out of control dogs and dodgy parking and wonder why so many people struggle to say 'sorry'.

Thor and Rory debate the merits of a family sailing adventure and whether an upbringing sailing around the world is riskier than living in a house with a trampoline in the garden.