A week off work - things don't get much better than this. Wrong; the do, when you're going sailing.

After dropping plenty of hints and some minor bribing/blackmail I had been offered a sail by the world's poorest Oyster owner. The fist time afloat in over three months - a sail was well overdue.

Nothing existing was planned - Landguard and back. Time and weather did not allow for much more.

We did our bit for Trinity House - verified the position of Landguard north cardinal. It's still in the same place they left it.

The genoa on an Oyster 37 proved to be HUGE. Imagine my surprise when I found a great big container ship hiding behind it. I am happy to report that its ship's horn worked just fine. But this little episode may have played havoc with the skipper's blood pressure and heartbeat. The man needs to chill.

A boat owner who actively encourages alcohol consumption while sailing and does not carry life jackets. There ought to be a law against it! Or maybe not.

The weather turned out to be just fine - never more than 10-12kts apparent - sunny blue skies. I knew we were going to be fine as soon as the Met Office had issued a gale warning.

All in all: a most pleasurable way to spend a Saturday afternoon. A nice reminder of what it can be like on the water.