Recently I had been moaning about lack of crew commitment. Admittedly, the weather hasn't been all that great; but it's still a very poor excuse all the same.

My remedy - short of flogging - some team building. We were going to spend a night on board. Regardless of weather, timetables,... And everyone was under strict orders to enjoy themselves.
Quick dinner at home (wanted to avoid the worst of the traffic jams anyway) and we set off. Moods varied, but at least everyone was resigned to the inevitable. Might as well make the best of it.

Once on board, we all settled into our old routine. Bunks were cleared, duvets appeared, it started to feel like "home". Moral picked up, just one tiny dark cloud remained. But then again, as she's married to me that was chalked up to 'In sickness and in health... '. Kids seemed to enjoy themselves. We played a couple of hands of cards, and we even had fun. Yanni didn't manage to cheat and was gracious about it. All in all, the patient responded well to the medication.

Next morning we rose at the crack of 10 o'clock. WE after all. Breakfast - bacon sandwiches - and a quick tour on deck. Certainly plenty of wind. Big grin. SSW and never less than 15kts. A nice trip to Wrabness would provide that last final boost to moral.

Motorsailed to Shotley Spit - in the drizzle/rain. Crew sought shelter, leaving me to get soaked. Autopilot - full oilies. Just as I resurfaced - sun and blue skies. We headed up the Stour towards Wrabness. Wind picked up - hovering around 20kts. Best sail of the year so far. Grins all round. Horseplay in the sunshine. At one time we topped 9.3kts SOG. Even when taking into account the tide (about 1.2kts) with us... The old girl's no slouch when you give her enough wind.



Time just flew by. Wrabness in no time. Return trip - more of the same. A bit of running then wind on the aft quarter. A more sedate and civilised trip back up the Orwell. Enough adrenaline for one day.

Quick detour in the direction of Pin Mill and then back to our mooring. Blustery conditions. Yanni and me on the foredeck, Brigitte at the helm. First approach - left a bit, bit more, forward and stop. All secured in no time.

Then one of my favourite parts of the day. Family chat and drinks while basking in the sun and that 'been sailing' glow. Perfect end to a perfect day.

Ride back in the tender - surfing all the way. Trip home, excited voices all around. Moral barometer firmly on 'Sunny'. It's amazing what sixteen miles of sailing can do to a family.

No sailing next WE - visitors from Belgium. Plenty of time to plan this year's summer cruise.
Four weeks off as from July 19th. Friends usually have their summer cruise three weeks before ours. The smug so and so usually enjoys beautiful summer weather whilst we're left with showers and gales. Going by recent weather we're due lots of glorious sunshine and fair winds.
Can't wait.