A week without sailing, time had come to remedy that. Forecast halfway decent, no excuses required or accepted. Rounded up the entire family for a day on the boat. Even 'the boyfriend' was dragged along.

Nothing special was planned. Downriver to Languard and take it from there. If conditions I planned to get the gennaker up, but apart from that...

We arrived around LW, so we had to hang around for a bit while the lock turned. Lots of visitors, not that used to the lock meant we waited slightly longer than usual. Hey-ho, sometimes I need reminding that I'm still on leave.

Once locked out, I waisted no time getting the main up. Once we cleared the Orwell Bridge out came the genoa and we started 'proper sailing'. Jason (aka 'The Boyfriend') did a pretty good job at the helm. Unphased, even when Guapa tended to round up. I think he might be right when he said: 'I guess I'm a natural'.

Wind proved too fickle to warrant getting the gennaker out, but apart from that I think we had a great day. Steps was her usual boisterous self, though I think Jason & Evita managed to wear her out by the time we headed back.



I planned to lock in on freeflow, so this meant we had plenty of time to spare for a sail-past and photoshoot off Levington in company of Jolie Brise (world's poorest Oyster owner skippering).

All done – in on freeflow as planned. Tied up. Done.

Rain scuppered the plan to have dinner at Fox's. We had Steps along and no pets are allowed in. Bugger. Trip back earlier than planned, but altogether another very enjoyable family day.

The last day sailing for a couple of weeks now. Back to work soon. Hopefully we'll manage to squeeze in the odd day here and there. Brigitte's got a couple of days off in September, so hopefully we might manage another cross-channel jaunt then.

TTFN