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This is how old boats should die. Lying on the river bank, smelling the fish as it is landed, and reminding us all of the inevitable. What are you going to do with your unrecyclable GRP – grind it up and snort it?

Some of the boats who were in the Morbihan with us, such as Ninita, Ismana and Christina II have already arrived . No other Brits as yet. There is also a Swan 100, about 5 minutes walk long, and as tall as the clouds. Impressive, but ugly as can be. Rain at the moment, but there's a hint of a high in the offing, and nothing much happens until Friday.

The last time I picked up Marcita after a week's layup, it took me two days to dry everything out. This year, thanks to the great Michael Emmett, I breezed on board and made a cup of tea.

I've never had time to read a book on Marcita before, but this time I've been reading Simon Hoggart's a Long Lunch, and it's literally a LOL on every page.

I better go and dust the cushions – crew arriving tomorrow and they'll expect fresh towels in the onsweet.