A Life on Water (Ardis)

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  • A Life on Waterby Timothy Paleczny Inspired by true stories of espionage in Lisbon in World War II, the new book A Life on Water from author Timothy Paleczny transports readers to Lisbon during wartime, to a remote village lost in time, and to life on an old trawler off the coast of Portugal. It is fall 1941, the Allies are losing the war. While her fellow students sign up to serve, marine biologist Ardis Lowney pursues the nesting sites of the Kemps ridleythe Holy Grail of marine biology. But theres a cost. She agrees to carry a radio and monitor Portuguese waters for enemy activityin effect, become an Allied spy. How dangerous could it be? Under cover as a visiting academic, Ardis gamely assumes her role as a spy in Lisbon. She takes command of a refitted fishing trawler that she names the Water Dog. She brings equipment to shoot newsreelsa new tool the Allies use to reach movie-goers. Before Ardis can get out on the water, she must navigate the shifty landscape of neutral Lisbon, the once-regal capital of Portugal that is now the gateway in and out of war-torn Europe for spies on all sides, displaced aristocrats, and Jewish refugees, who wander the streets as they await passage to the Americas. Ardis has a new friend, Carlos, a priest, whom she meets for dinner at the Tivoli Hotel, where friends and foes alike, even in uniform, eat and drink. Ardis gets a scare when a German officer approaches their table. She holds her breath as he says hello. Carlos makes the introductions. To her surprise, she hits it off with Manfred, a member of the enemys diplomatic corp. But seeing his Nazi insignia up close frightens her. She discerns that Carlos and Manfred are dealing in wolfram, which the Nazis need to feed their war machine. Ardis reports this to her superior, who calls it a breakthrough. To obtain details on Nazi supplies, he orders her to follow Carlos to a remote village in the north of Portugal where Carlos will give a sermon about the miracles of Fatima (his cover). She volunteers to go along to film it (her cover). Ardis fears that everything Carlos knows about her may become known by the Nazis. In the village, Ardis meets Xisco, a stable boy, who learns of his heritage as a Marrano Jew. The Marranos is a sect that practices in secret, a holdover from the Inquisition that officially ended only a hundred years earlier. A grisly revelation disrupts peace in the village. A payment for wolfram in the form of stolen gold puts Xiscos mentor, Sam Meyer, in conflict with the secret police in Lisbon, and upsets Carlos who recognizes his role in the crime. Taking advantage of the situation, Ardis recruits Carlos and Xisco to accompany her on the Water Dog to the Algarve. On the voyage, they encounter a string of natural wonders and enemiesboth mythic and very real, including a U-boat that fires on the Water Dog. To complicate matters, Manfred charms his way on board, putting Ardis and her crew in grave danger. What could come of her research as a marine biologist or her mission as a spy?

CD - THE BELFAST SESSIONS

This, our latest collection of songs, was recorded at RedBox Studios in Belfast. We’ve wanted to record there for awhile now and finally the timing was right for all. Dónal O’Connor one of the owners, produced it with expertise, poise, patience and not a few threats, the main one being “no more Guinness till youse get this track right.” Inspirational words indeed! He was somehow able to corral us and steer us in the right direction on each song. I’m sure he’d love to work with us again – maybe! We had a great time all together recording there, and hopefully dear fans you’ll enjoy listening. In these uncertain times remember, music hath charms to soothe a savage breast. I think that was a quote from Paul McCartney, or possibly Bob Dylan. Enjoy!

The Belfast Sessions (2025)

Track Listing:

  1. BOYS OF BELFAST
  2. BELFAST BOOZELEERS
  3. DOWN BY THE LAGAN SIDE
  4. IRISH NAVIES
  5. MY BELFAST LOVE
  6. A NIGHT IN BUSHMILLS
  7. NO DOUBT ABOUT IT
  8. I’LL TELL YOU BOYS IT’S WHISKEY
  9. PRODIGAL SON
  10. NEW LINE TO DUBLIN
  11. PADDY’S DREAM
  12. SONG FOR BELFAST
  13. DAYTRIP TO BELFAST

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