Puddle’s disintegration has taken us by surprise.  Although we knew her seams were worn and we would have to replace her before next season we had no idea that, during our time in UK when she was stored in the wetlocker, she would start to fall apart.  We inflated her on Friday 7^th and she was leaking air gently.  By Monday there was so much air escaping we didn’t trust her with the weight of the engine.   By Thursday the transom had separated from the port tube and by Friday 14^th the air leaking from the sponson would have made a great hairdryer (providing James kept pumping!).  Puddle wouldn’t even support James’ weight without filling up with water and it was impossible to row.   Perhaps she wouldn’t have disintegrated quite so rapidly if we hadn’t mentioned in her hearing that we had bought a replacement dinghy?   Who knows, but she is now at her final resting place in Carriacou Marine where we hope that all her useful parts will be recycled by members of the local community.   She’s been a great member of our team and we shall miss her.