Well, finally the wind has abated this evening. Not that it was particularly strong, it was just see-through-your-bones cold. This was of course not made better by me insisting that Summer has indeed started and it is now shorts wearing season!

Last night I slept better, still up in the middle of the night to let the dogs out for a pee, but better. Had 5 hours in the hammock, an excellent sleeping arrangement. Getting into a hammock while also in a sleeping bag I imagine is the stuff of You’ve Been Framed greatest hits reels – something akin to a large Caterpillar trying to mount a small rolled cigar come to mind, I can assure you 3am is NOT the time to be testing your powers of coordination and balance!

Today started off lovely with just a light breeze, soon descending into heavy-ish rain and aforementioned Arctic blast…! I managed to clean the aft cockpit section all gleamy white, the remainder tomorrow. I also took off the protective plastic bin liners I had carefully taped to the wooden bowsprit at the start of last winter. Judging by the state of the bowsprit’s moisture I would have possibly been better served by using kitchen roll. Only now I have to remove the sticky bit of the gaffa tape – that stuff should be used to hold up bridges (saying that, it probably IS) – Tape is easily removed, but the glue that used to be bonded to it, now that is going to take some elbow grease tomorrow. 

Fair winds and calm seas…