As a small independent business based in the heart of London we can't afford big flashy newspaper adverts so we need to be really nice to the customers we have in the hope they will spread the word and come back again. It would also be a great boost to us if you can nominate Arthur Beale in the Time Out Love London Awards. If you can spare a minute to go to

timeout.com/lovelondon

and nominate Arthur Beale it could get us through to the final stage!

We would...

The 12 Clipper Race boats are gathered in St Katharine's Dock prior to the start of their Round the World Race on Sunday 30th August. I feel a little sorry for the local boats who have presumably been shunted into the outer basins but nevertheless it is a grand display of ocean racing yachts. By the time the fleet arrives in London they are all kitted out with all the gear after their training sessions on the South Coast. Nevertheless there's always a few bits and bobs they need and...

Why are they all such charming people? It doesn’t seem to matter whether they are professional or amateur, or young or old, or from up North or down South or across the water, they are all really pleasant people.

If there has been a delay with a bronze fairlead or a length of chain, instead of flying off their winch handle they just cheerily say “Oh dear, not to worry, send it on as soon as it arrives”. We even received a bottle of 10 year old Bushmills from a boat builder in...

Yes Arthur Beale’s actually have an on-line buying website which is getting bigger and better every week. It has taken us 400 years and we still have lots of gear to upload but it's all happening and “soon” you will be able to buy everything on-line. We have pretty much finished uploading all our Nautical Books and Charts. So if you haven’t got the time to come in and admire our fantastic bookshelves you can browse the huge range on your smart phone. Don’t forget the shop is open...

It was late and dark when I managed to run my little yacht hard onto an East Coast mud bank. It was suprisingly sticky mud and despite lots of rocking from side to side and the engine kicking up stink in reverse there was to be no shifting her. As there was a stiff breeze blowing us further onto the bank I decided to pump up the Avon and row out into deep water with my trusty kedge anchor. I use an aluminium Fortress Anchor with a long warp and it is a joy to handle. With the Fortress in...

Great News from the Twister - Pouncer! I got a bit worried when I heard that Charlotte may have to seek shelter from a gale to avoid entering Archangel before her visa had started but she decided to press on and instead of being reprimanded was given a rapturous reception and all the Russians were wonderfully helpful. She has been joined by Svarte and Hugo and should be well ensconced into the canal to St Petersburg. I am hoping we can twist her arm into giving us a Arthur Beale talk when...

On Thursday evening about fifty people turned up for our special evening presented by the Riddle of the Sands Adventure Club. Before we all watched the film, Tim and Lloyd served up some home made Edwardian grog to get us in the mood. They introduced us to the films fascinating history and showed us some dodgy tinned meats that may have been the kind of provisions on board the Dulicibella. One of the really lovely aspects to these Arthur Beale evenings are the delightful people who...

It will be a busy week as I am hoping to get away sailing on Friday and we are intending to change the Arthur Beale shop window on Tuesday plus we have the Riddle of the Sands Film evening on Thursday! In the meantime I still need to do some work on my yacht to get her ready for the sail. My surveyor gave the good ship a glowing report but did say that the deck planking is nearing the end of its life and that I should consider getting them replaced in a year or two. Water has got under a...

I got a fantastic text last night from Charlotte Wilkinson's satellite phone to say that she has safely rounded the North Cape of Norway in her Twister called Pouncer. Charlotte is heading for Archangel to clear Russian customs before sailing to Belamorsk and entering the Russian canal and lake system. If she doesn't get lost she will arrive in St Peterburg about three weeks later (the visa expires after a month!). Pouncer will then head for her home port of Umea...