Last day of the X-Mas holidays - back to work tomorrow. Still, it could be worse: Brigitte's at work already.

I decided to take Yanita out one more time. God knows when we would be able to take her out again.
Not much wind was forecast, but at least it would not rain. Fellow YBW forumite "sailorman" would be afloat too. Celebrating his birthday. If we met up, I'd get him a beer.

We arrived in Shotley just after 11h00. Not a lot of traffic on the road. Most people still hung over.
Hardly any wind, but the tide would be with us. We were there anyway, so cast off. Minor scare at the lock - we approached sideways. We mess up one approach every year, if this was the one... no harm done.

As we approached Pin Mill at a leisurely 4kts we spotted a few boats coming the other way. Jolie Brise was the lead one. Would he have forgotten about the beer?
No such luck. Exchanged hallos and "sailorman" promptly decided to drop the first beer I chucked him over the side. An offering to Neptune he called it. Some people don't age well.
Another RAS approach - 3 beers in a bin-liner at the end of a boat-hook. Success. Your very good health, Roger.

As the wind had now dropped to less than 2 knots we decided to call it a day. Furled the genoa, dropped the main, engine on. Headed for our berth. We navigated the lock without any problems and as I brought us alongside Evita tied us up singlehanded.

Here's to another year.