Marica goes clockwise

I phoned the harbour master this morning and he was in. He showed me the rather nice facilities and gave me a bit of a discount as the price was not as given in Reeds. It was a little bumpy outside of the harbour and I dropped the winch handle for the halyard whilst raising the main sail. Of course it bounced on the deck, hesitated, then dived into the briney. I've resisted buying floating handles as the time they are likely to be lost overboard are not conducive to recovery. Today was an exception, shame it was a sinker.

I'd sorted out a new mackerel line yesterday, but had no luck in catching anything. I put it out again today. We sailed for about an hour, but then the wind died. I was not in a hurry but when the speed dropped below one knot near a headland George was struggling to cope. I started the engine and saw a couple of shapes on the end of the fishing line. I reeled in two 12 inch fish. Must be the slow speed that helped. That's tea sorted.

I killed the engine later and had a slow sail towards Troon. Great views of the huge island of Arran. I needed a little extra speed later so used the Honka, as it is quieter than the diesel. Coming into Troon I started the Volvo, but kept the Honka running in neutral in case the engine quit at a vital point. I had been given a starboard too berth and was set up for that side. I also put fenders on the port side just in case. I found the berth with a boat next door and approached at minimum speed. I'd set up a line from a mid cleat and lassoed the pontoon. All good, almost professional. Of course there was no one to witness it.