Swinging the Lamp

Sailboat drama and offbeat hilarity round out the episode: updates on the Golden Globe race contestants—Mara’s raw live broadcast and Guy DeBoer’s continued misfortune—spark debate about race culture, media and human cost. The hosts tackle a controversial national story (an alleged RAF Fairford plot) with skepticism, explore how narratives spread, and remind listeners they’re sharing opinions not...

Rory joins live from a moving boat for a wide‑ranging episode that blends nautical anecdotes with sharp political debate. The hosts recap highlights from a UK Column event, including Raja Miah’s whistleblower testimony about the child sexual exploitation scandal and how the justice system allegedly responded. They riff on press curiosities (the Mirror Dinghy vs. the Express Pirate), swap Shetland...

A wide‑ranging conversation pivots from seaside stories to geopolitics: an English village referendum over asylum accommodation, rising secessionist murmurs in the UK, AI anxieties and even a sidelong dive into elite influence via Neil Ferguson and the Rothschilds. The hosts riff on social strains caused by large displaced populations, speculate about future instability, and keep it human by recal...

A lively segment on the Golden Globe Race mixes racing drama with schadenfreude and respect. The hosts recap the non‑assisted, long‑keel event, spotlighting competitors like Pat Lawless, Damian Gilloux, and Guy de Boer—whose cocky 2022 promo followed by a beaching in Lanzarote makes for irresistible storytelling. They debate resilience versus hubris, celebrate sailors who return after embarrassmen...

Thor and Rory check in from damp marinas to trade salty stories and civic gripes. They begin with an accidental anti–facial‑recognition hack (Marmite on the face) and drift through headlines about conscription, war‑narratives and how elites profit from conflict. The pair contrast historical misinformation — from WWI origins to myths around Hiroshima — with present‑day media steering. The chat swer...

Rory and Thor pivot to heavier subjects: Border Force passage reporting and the 1979 Customs Act, renewed enforcement since 2022, and what it means for small-boat cruisers. That sparks broader geopolitical debate about Britain’s role in the Ukraine conflict, risk assessment of Russian retaliation, and whether martial law or mass disruption is conceivable. They weave history into the discussion, re...

Two old shipmates catch up live from the Balearics and veer through a weekend of salty anecdotes: hand-steering without autopilot, dodgy electrical gremlins that knocked out the fridge and ice, and the joy (and chaos) of anchoring in crowded Menorcan coves. They compare marina prices, describe a tricky stern-tie to rocks, and laugh about improvised golf practice on a bouncy castle. Amid the banter...

This conversation pivots to social dynamics in small communities: the perils of WhatsApp groups, well-meaning but badly organized group gifts, virtue signaling and banter that goes wrong. The hosts reflect on how easily tone is misread in messaging, the courage required to ‘rock the boat,’ and the awkward fallout when jokes don’t land. They also riff on targeted advertising paranoia after a video...

Thor and Rory trade stories from moored boats: a surprise inspection by UK Border Force in Lymington that revealed a 2022 requirement to register international voyages, and the frustration of being told to check out of the UK. They discuss the practical and philosophical absurdities of online paperwork at sea, the burden on cruisers, and the possibility that authorities are harvesting data rather...

Brian Gerrish traces the unlikely origins of UK Column back to a grassroots maritime project in Devonport, where a campaign to rebuild a historic vessel exposed local corruption tied to regeneration funding. That investigation blossomed into a national outlet for stories mainstream media ignored—child removals, council fraud and institutional abuse. The conversation covers practical advice for inv...

Mara (Helga Marie) joins Swinging the Lamp to walk through her decision to enter the Golden Globe Race — a solo, nonstop circumnavigation using 1968 technology: paper charts, sextant navigation, and strict restrictions on stopping or taking on supplies. She explains the appeal of pure, romantic sailing and the chance to disconnect, why astro navigation matters to her, and how live streaming three...

Kate returns to Swinging the Lamp from the superyacht Bayesian in St. Peter Port to recount a hectic few weeks of Corinthian racing and cruising. She narrates the Triangle race that was cut short by a savage Celtic Sea low, turning the intended course into a shortened “sausage” but leaving the crew with a proud second-in-class finish. The conversation moves through logistics, local hospitality in...

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...