Some of you may have noticed that I haven’t mentioned a ‘Summer Cruise’ this year and that’s for the simple reason that there won’t be one. The reasons are as varied as they are depressing.

- Lack of time: another blow dealt to us by reality (call it ‘real life’ if you must), but it is a fact of life that as long as we are still wage slaves we will always be short of time. Whilst I get a decent share of time off work, this is not the case for Brigitte who is still climbing the greasy pole in the corporate world.
Also, our landlord is selling the house so we had to look for alternative accommodation. And we all know how easy and stress free moving house can be.
- Lack of money: we have suffered some unexpected financial setbacks lately. Ranging from large garage bills to keep the various family cars on the road to the recent removals invoice and the bill from marine engineers (boat engine). This year’s cruising kitty is gone (and then some) before we even have set sail.

It has not all been doom and gloom though. We have spent a few weekends afloat just cruising in local waters. Fewer than I would have liked, but we have to be grateful for small mercies.



There has also been a recent addition to our fleet of tenders: I’ve acquired a 10’ RIB (another pre-loved eBay bargain). So far I’m impressed with it. Much more stable than the leaking GRP tender it is going to replace and lighter too so we can lift it aboard.
A very lightly used inflatable Zodiac will find its way to eBay soon. A lovely thing it is, but just not suited to our needs. The Orwell can be quite choppy and rides to/from the boat could get quite ‘wet’. Refreshing in summer, but not so much in winter.

Anyway, I am rambling. What’s next on the horizon? We will be spending the next 5-7 days on the boat. What we do will in a large part be down to the weather. Checked out a few forecasts and two scenarios look likely: either it will be a (shortened) repeat of last summer – our North Sea Triangle (Ramsgate-Ostend-home) or we’ll stick to local waters. In case of the latter, we will most likely head for Ramsholt and/or Bradwell. I wouldn’t mind either way. Wherever we go, it will most likely be our Farewell Tour as I am hopeful that in 2016 Guapa will be heading for a mooring in Brittany.

Enjoy summer while you can and hope to see some of you on the water in the (very near) future.

Fair winds.