Murder at The Ship Inn

We were surprised also in discovering that a murder had been committed at The Ship Inn! However after carrying out a more thorough investigation of our own we were slightly relieved to find out the murder is in fact in the latest book by author Ken Scott's thriller, namely, "The Sun Will Still Shine Tomorrow".

Ken recently spent a couple of days on the island staying at The Ship Inn so as he could finalise his master script checking the minutiae detail just before the official book launch, earmarked for the 2oth March. Speaking at The Ship Inn, Ken informed us that he has been working on his latest novel for the last year and had gathered initial information from our Ship Inn website. On arrival at The Ship he found it was all that he imagined it would be. Besides the wonderful character within the building he said that the warm welcome made him feel at home.

Hailing originally from Berwick upon Tweed, Ken got into writing with his first crime thriller novel the "Jack of Hearts" published in October 2005. This was closely followed up the following year with the sequel "A Million Would Be Nice" voted by Amazon as the "best thriller of the year" . This was Ken's turning point as he decided to give up his day job as an international offshore consultant and take up full time writing carried out from his home near Alicante Spain.

Northumberland though is still very dear to Ken's heart and particularly Holy Island, from which he has many fond memories and Ken thought it would be ideal for his latest crime thriller.

When published the book will be available at The Ship Inn, so keep watching our news blog for any further details.

A Belated Welcome To The New Year

It has been some time since our "Blog News Page" has been updated. All for good reason and from hereon in we hope to be updating on our usual frequent basis. There have been many reasons for the delay and hopefully as you read on, you will understand the reason why, some happy times and some sad. So, where do we begin?

November 2007, there was no guest news/items to report as The Ship Inn followed tradition and shut down for 4 weeks to cover annual holiday (photo top left going for a Singapore Sling at Raffles Hotel) and much needed maintenance. During this time we renovated a bedroom that had laid dormant (excuse the pun!) for some years and are now proud to announce that Room No:4 is now open for bookings for the 2008 .

December then came upon us with the relatively quiet days the early weeks leading up to the lovely atmosphere that always prevails at The Ship during the festive weeks. The New Year weekend was one of our most memorable (our 3rd to date) that Janice and I have had since living on the island. New Years eve night was well attended and finished at 4.30 am New Years Day.!

Men's Day on the 1st January and Ladies Day on the 2nd January was a real success. One of the talking points on the 2nd was the "world record" set by Dick Patterson and Colin Johnson (our annual cockney sparrow visitor!) by sitting on the same bar stool for a record 10 hours & 15 minutes!

Our photo (from left to right) shows Colin with Dick trying to coax The Ship's cat back into life. Sadly the moggy has been in this transfixed state for at least 10 years, A bit like the two in the photo, apologies, editor!

Nearing the end of the traditional 2 weeks of festivities, Janice and

I thought, as we approached the weekend of the 5 January, we were in for a quiet time. How wrong we were, as the "A team ladies" of Holy Island with a few male hangers on descending upon us to celebrate Barbara Kyle's ?!'th birthday. This turned out to be a great end to the week with our resident chef, Paul Armstrong putting on an impromptu buffét and even throwing a birthday cake to boot! A great time was had by all and we hope to do it next New Year and maintain this unique island tradition.

(Picture above right shows Barbara proudly showing off her 21st birthday cake with husband George proudly looking on!)

The sad news (and we would like to thank all of the island for their kind thoughts and support) is that during the New Year week, daughter Lisa with her fiance Brian had a wonderful time joining in with the unique atmosphere providing by our Holy Island friends. Sadly just 3 weeks to the day of leaving Holy Island Brian passed away suddenly on the 27 January. The day they were due to announce to us on the Sunday evening their planned wedding booked for the 2 October, very sadly this is not to be. So as you can imagine this year has started, from a personal viewpoint for Janice and I on a very sad note, particularly for my daughter Lisa. The positive side are of the happy memories Brian spent here on the island with Lisa. So thanks once again for the kindness shown by all of our island friends who showed so much kindness when Lisa was up on the island recently.

Spaceman From Mars Lands At The Ship on Holy Island

It's not every day that a spaceman from Mars decides to spend his leisure time at The Ship Inn on Holy Island, but on Tuesday 16 October that's is exactly what happened. To unfold a little more detail about this very interesting story, our guest, Sheila Delamere is the key to this news item.

(Alan pictured above with one of his stunning Mars photographs)

Sheila had visited Holy Island way back 30 years ago and decided to revisit Holy Island along with her husband Alan as part of their UK holiday tour. Alan and Sheila formerly Liverpudlians moved to Boulder Colorado USA where Alan took up a job that many small boys dream of, that is, being a Space Scientist working for Ball Aerospace in the state of Colorado. Alan's claim to fame is that he is the scientist that developed the HIRISE (High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment) camera that is currently on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. This satellite launched in March 2006 circum navigates anywhere between 250 Kms and 300 Kms above the earth sending spectacular images of the planet Mars.

Alan, quite an assuming man, casually answered when asked by Andrew Hnat, landlord, what do you do for a living "Oh, I am just a space scientist involved with a mission on Mars" Slightly taken aback with this rather unusual reply Alan said "I have some photographs if you would like to see them?". The answer as you can imagine, was a resounding "Yes!"

This was then followed by what only can be described as "an evening to remember" with Alan showing some of the most spectacular 3D images ever witnessed. Locals and guests alike sat around Alan's laptop with loaned 3D glasses "oohing and ahhing" at some of the most incredible photos ever seen. As Andrew said, "we all felt like we were descending down the side of some of the most spectacular craters, trying to reach and touch the incredible rock formations right in front of our eyes!" Harem, one of our colourful locals, who always has something to say, was on this occasion, just speechless, as in fact we all were. For those astronomers out there, Alan's CV over the years is pretty impressive working on missions involving Sky Lab, Comet Halley and the Deep Impact Mission.

For further information visit the web link Alan is involved with on:

http://hirisetest.lpl.arizona.edu/index.php

Surpise Marriage Proposal at The Ship Holy Island of Lindisfarne

An evening planned at The Ship Inn by Leanne Swallow for her partner Joe Jobling turned in to a fairy tale ending with a romantic meal topped off with a celebratory bottle of Moet et Chandon champagne. The evening earlier had been a complete surpise for Leanne, when Joe proposed in room one's four poster bedroom, so popular with couples who just want that extra special ambiance.

Joe, a statistician from Edinburgh popped the question of "will you marry me?" to Leanne who works as an archivist and is originally from West Yorkshire.

Leanne replied this evening with those magic words, "Yes I will" exactly 5 years to the day when they met in 2002 at a Stone Roses tribute band concert. They now plan to marry in April 2009 and both plan to return at some time in the future to The Ship to celebrate this very special day. Andrew & Janice and all the staff at The Ship sent Leanne & Joe warmest congratulations and best wishes for the future.

Eve of Wedding Celebrations

Andy Wood of Denholme West Yorkshire checked in for one night with his old schoolfriend Geoff Monk. As Andy said "it's not what you think!" The evening of the 22 September was actually spent having an enjoyable evening meal with his wife to be, April Geisler from Maryland USA and Geoff's wife Sue. Geoff and Sue travelled up from Ravenshead Nottinghamshire in preparation for the wedding of Andy & April to be held Sunday morning at 10.00am at Lindisfarne castle with a follow on honeymoon going back to where they met, Florence Italy. Andrew & Janice and all the staff at The Ship wish April and Andy many happy years together and maybe one day they will return to the wonderful Holy Island of Lindisfarne for an anniversary celebration

Frank 60 not out and achieves silver

Frank Gregory has achieved the six decade mark on 9th September and shortly will also celebrate achieving silver for 25 years of marriage on Tuesday 18 September to his wife Pauline. To mark this memorable milestone, Frank held a 60th birthday party at The Ship Inn. Over 100 local islanders, family and friends turned up for the occasion with a party that went well on into the night. Music was provided by local artistes, Nite Talk, who brought the house down with a mix of music covering from the 50's up to the present day.

Pauline & Frank Gregory (above)

Photo on the right shows some of the party revellers in full swing. Frank can also be spotted (arm raised) doing his version of Mick Jagger's, I Can't Get No Satisfaction! The Ship would like to thank Pauline for choosing The Ship for the party venue.... a few sore heads were in abundance in the village in the morning, but as we always say "never again, until the next time!"

A New Son For Albert

Adelbert Henzel our barman, affectionately known as "Albert" is seen here celebrating the birth of his first baby son Krisztian born on the 8 August at 1300 hrs BST. Albert is working at The Ship for the season returning to his home in Budapest Hungary in November.

Albert took paternity leave to be with his wife Ruslana and spent 8 days with her. Sadly he had to return to the UK missing the birth by one day! Albert was obviously overjoyed on hearing the news and celebrated in style by opening a bottle of his favourite champagne, Moet et Chandon and is seen here in the picture pouring the celebratory drink.

Janice & Andrew, staff at The Ship and all of the friends Albert has made on Holy Island send their very best wishes to his wife, baby Krisztian and of course Albert .