sunshine!!!

Finally the sun came back this weekend!My cousin, G, came down this weekend for a sail before she goes off on a world tour, and after arriving Friday by 20h00, we realised that we'd left the cool bag with the milk and meat in it sat on the working tops at home.... so a trip to Tesco to replenish, and by 23h00, tired we all went to bed...We arose the next morning to find a breezy and grey day, so a decision was taken to stick within the confines of the Orwell, and we then enjoyed a marvellous sail under just genny up to the Orwell bridge and back... stopping at Buttermans bay for a couple of hours for some lunch...A number of friends had arrived in the marina, so we gathered a quorum, and by 19h30, headed for the pub... the Bristol arms.... the food was excellent, and at £20 a head including drinks, fine value too.... (we did also have to make a small trip before heading to the pub to fetch the latest Harry Potter novel!)A late evening ensued... SWMBO, G and the kids retired to bed, and I found myself with Full Circle, and Dougie-3-bottles (who had arrived by car after finding the conditions a bit rough for a Mobo trip down from Lowestoft) sat in our cockpit, drinking red wine until about 02h30.... we did the usual male thing after a decent amount of plonk (sorry Doug - it was really a rather nice red!), and put the world to rights...This ensured a start at what might be described as a civilised time the follwoing morning, and after a fried breakfast, we noted the distinct absence of wind, and this strange yellow orb in the sky..... sun I believe it is called...So, with Doug roped in as well, we went for a sail with a vague plan of heading towards Medusa.... the wind was just 4 or 5 kts, so as we passed Languard cardinal, and raised the sails, along with killing the engine, we drifted pleasantly.... about 20mins later, a bit of a sea breeze kicked in, and at 12kts of wind, we freed off a few degrees, and flew along at upto 6kts over the water.... it was hot, and this was very pleasant indeed!Sadly by about midday we decided that everyones need to be away at sensible times required a tack and reversal of course, so we came about, and headed back... just as pleasurable for the next couple of hours.... a lock in, and then alongside... really really hot.... We sat and read for a while... and then saw CentaurPipeDream returning... he'd only made it just outside the lock on his journey back to Bradwell when his exhaust muffler failed.... filling the boat with noxious fumes and water.... and with very little wind decided that a sail back wasn't sensible... so returned... Doug took him to several chandlers, but no joy on a replacement.... so he's camped in Shotley this week.C saved the day by producing a marvellous Spaghetti Bolgnaise, and fed and watered, we set of home, a little redder than Friday, happy, and with two very very tired kids!

Miles logged 26nm
Miles this season 630nm
Miles since this blog started 2,424nm