I had to get the boat of the mooring - that was all there was to it. Where to start? Dunno. So I started texting. Roger might know what to do, or know someone who would know what to do. He did not disappoint.

Duncan was roped in, and he led to another useful contact. And he managed to get me in touch with some-one at Suffolk Yacht Harbour. I had been unable to contact them by phone. As it turned out later, a lightning strike had knocked all their phones out.

Just after 10H00 the SYH harbour launch was on it's way. Alas, it became apparent all to soon that we would require a diver. There was just too much rope around the prop, the line was too tight and as such we weren't able to bring enough to the surface to cut it.

The crew secured our bow to an adjoining buoy - just in case Guapa broke free. As the wind had picked markedly over night I was very keen to get her secured properly, unsure whether she would survive another rising tide unscathed.

In the mean time, Brigitte and Yanni had also arrived. They motored over in the dinghy and got most of our stuff packed. We all returned ashore to confer with Bob Gibbons at SYH as to our best course of action. If I could get divers, he would provide a boat. If possible Guapa would then be brought in.

On the phone to Diveline, got put through to Jeff. He was very sympathetic and understood my predicament. He would get back to me asap.
Cup of tea on board Limbo - who's crew volunteered to look after the kids whilst Brigitte and I made our way back to the boat.
The wind was really gusting now, the ride back was of the 'wet and wild' variety.

And as good as his word Jeff got back to us. He'd be with us in an hour. By the time he got to SYH, the Orwell was a torrent of white. getting into the dinghy required two goes. At the first attempt I took a dive (note to self: mobiles are NOT waterproof).
It never rains... halfway across the river the outboard quit. Bacon saved by a passing fisherman who towed me into the harbour.

Conferred with Jeff & buddy, explained what and how and we made our way back. An hour and a half of hard work, pulling, sawing and grunting later Guapa was secured on a buoy as she should be and a new mooring buoy was in position. We all made our way back ashore in the harbour launch. Wet, tired but also very relieved. As an added bonus, Jeff had not observed any damage below the waterline. Maybe, just maybe, we would be fine.

Before we made our way home arrangements we made to have Guapa lifted asap. Asap turned out to be next Friday.

A result at the end of the day. I doubt if I would have been able to achieve as much without the help and support (moral and practical) of so many people. Thank you all.