We, or rather I, had had great plans for the week-end. A Bank Holiday: 3 days off work. Let's go to Ostend and get that engine (and hopefully the autopilot) fixed. That was the plan, and then real life conspired against it.

Evita's landed herself a summer job - she had to work Saturday. Brigitte had to work Monday. This only left Yanni as crew. Keen as he is, without a working autopilot I wasn't that keen to make the crossing. Especially when you consider that it takes two to pump the engine room. Who would be helming?

Nothing left but a daysail on Sunday. I was determined to make the most of it. As far as the family was concerned - this was a three line whip. Not being there was not an option. Trip up went smooth enough. Quick stop a Fox's swindlery: outboard fuel additive and a new hand-pump. Lunch on board and cups of tea to warm the soul (and other bits).
Some wind, but not too much. And from a sailable direction too. We hoisted the sails in no time and made our way downriver. Drats - on the nose. Short tacking in a crowded, narrow stretch of river. No exactly what you call relaxing. Sod it - let's head upriver. Sighted Jolie Brise on her way up too.

Gentle relaxing cruise, between 5 and 15kts of apparent wind. From drifting to tootling along just nicely. A bit crowded, but not too much. Family chat, gentle 'racing' and minimum sail trim. Spotted a seal just short of the Orwell Bridge. Big fellow too, he had a good look round but disappeared before we could take his picture.

Downriver, more of the same. But as we were now pushing the tide, at an even gentler pace. Not a bad way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Bit breezy round our mooring, Brigitte parked the boat just perfectly. Who says women can't park? Whilst Evita and I tidied up on deck, Brigitte and Yanni packed stuff below.
G&T, beer or whatever and crisps in the sun - gentle unwinding. Stop by Fox's for a chat and a beer and then off home.

It was fun, but I felt sort of empty. After the summer cruise - which hadn't been all the bad really - this was an anti-climax. Not exactly the stuff of great adventure - 10NM on the Orwell. Add to that the realization that there are only 4, or 5 at most, weekends left before the boat's laid up for 6 months... I've felt better.

Still, it's not all doom and gloom: Ostend's been rescheduled for next weekend and then there's the trip to Antwerp at the end of September or the start of October. Something to look forward to.