The Earls Court Boatshow is open for business and Boatshed.com is buzzing. Already on our stand, we’ve had a famous photographer, a fascinating explorer and a friendly TV producer not to mention the opening of the inaugural Fizz @ Five bottles.

Kos, the world famous sailing photographer came by and donated an exclusively signed calendar designed to raise money for Sail4Cancer. We will decide the worthy recipient of this stunning piece of sailing beauty but obviously all bribes are accepted too.....If you would like to buy one (or several) for Christmas then follow this link Sail4Cancer. Sail4Cancer is a great cause allowing people with all stages of the illness and their carers to enjoy being out on the water.

We also were blessed by technological wizardry that allowed Dee Caffari, currently sailing single-handedly in the Transat Ecover B to B to say hello and to ask us to drink a pint for her. Like we need an excuse. Good luck Dee - we're all waiting for you to come home so we can let you have all the Fizz @ Five you have missed! Dee Caffari

We were also visited by a top TV producer looking for ideas for the next 'boatshow' programme (Excel, Southampton - they all merge into one in the eyes of TV producers) and we have been set a challenge to find a boat being bought by a family with 93 children. We think this is a tall order but we’re never defeated by anything thrown at us so hopefully the Executive Producer at ITV will appreciate the research we put in. Watch this space.

Finally, we were pleased to welcome onto the stand Adrian Flanagan from the Alpha Global Expedition. Adrian is in the process of attempting the first solo vertical navigation of the world in his tin boat, Barrabas and has so far covered thousands of miles including famously navigating Russia’s Northern Sea Route thanks to some timely intervention by one Mr Abramovich. For further progress visit Alpha Global Expedition

Please come and see us for more fun and shenanigans throughout the Earls Court Boatshow - it starts properly on 1st December and finishes on Sunday 9th December. Earls Court Boatshow. Stand 1G50 (look for the big red bus or just ask where the party is - you’ll soon find us).