Monday 25 June 2012

Year 5, Days 175 to 177

Day 175
They came at the usual Friday time but didn't say why they hadn't been down for a couple of weeks. She's moving about much better now and hasn't brought the array of walking sticks with her. They had used their new car and were saying that they were happy with its performance considering what (little) he had paid for it. They seem to think the house sale is progressing nicely now but hope that Luke completes before they do or it will be rather messy. They've also had their offer for the apartment in St Mary's accepted so we'll be neighbours soon. Not sure if I will like that.
Day 176
Not the weather to sail in this morning so they had a tidy up - getting rid of things that seemed a good idea for me to have on board a couple of years ago but that have not seen the light of day since stowing them. They're making space and also planning to add a lot of 'provisions' - where's he taking us now?
This afternoon we had visitors - Tantrum's crew, Charles and Jackie, walked over from Kingswear. Sounded like they enjoyed themselves - a few empty bottles and cans lying around too.
Day 177
We went out today! Conditions were a bit poor at first but by the time we got out it was bright and sunny. Bad luck for the Mackeral too - he got quite a few. Sailing conditions were excellent and I had a good blast in the wind. They had a discussion about the recent poor weather but he said the log showed June has been a poor month for sailing for the past three seasons. No entries in the log means we didn't go out and previous years are no different to the current one.

Tuesday 12 June 2012

Year 5, Days 158 & 159

Day 158
Overnight the storm caught up with us and it rained and howled all night. He said he was glad they had come back a day early; "better to be in the marina wishing your were sailing than out sailing wishing you were in the marina". Sometimes he really p's me off! Still, we had winds of over 45kts - that's a 'severe gale' in weather terms.
He went for a walk and came back saying the car won't start.
Day 159
They're going house viewing today. Should be interesting as the car isn't working. When they got back they were quite happy so there may be something they liked. After lunch they went out again but not so happy when they got back this time. They had looked at two apartments in the morning and two cottages in the afternoon. I think the apartments won 2-0. Anyway, they're off now so a bit a peace and quiet for a while. Wonder how they're going to get home?

Thursday 7 June 2012

Year 5, Days 156 & 157

Day 156
They didn't do much today - apart from complaining about the weather! They went out to the cinema and had a meal then came back early as tomorrow they have to go back to Brixham (he's been looking at the weather forecast).
Day 157
Engine on at 6am and out of the marina. At La Corbiere lighthouse he was able to sail and we headed home. With winds forecast at F5-F7 we knew what to expect. Just a brief note of thanks to the Weather Man - 5 hours from home and the forecast was increased to Gale F8 'soon'. We like surprises! With brisk winds and not too rough seas we got back into Brixham at 10pm. That's 2 hours off normal journey time. ps - thanks for the heavy rain on arrival (I love June).

Monday 4 June 2012

Year 5, Days 153 - 155

Day 153
We thought we heard the Coastguard responding to Tantrum's routine traffic call at 2am but we were too far away to call her.  We had a cracking sail up until about 3am - then the wind stopped. It does that sometimes. As we were close to the shipping lane he put the engine on and we stayed that way until parked up in Jersey. Thick fog made the journey past Guernsey and onto the Hanois lighthouse very interesting. Radar and AIS prove their value at times like this. The fog eventually cleared about an hour from the lighthouse and the final part of the trip was uneventful. They went for a shower (not before time) and then disappeared into the shopping centre. I basked in the warm sunshine. When they came back I picked up some of the ongoing news. Luke has been outbid on the house he was buying and has pulled out of that transaction and is now looking for somewhere else. Their house sale is proceeding and the Surveyor is coming next week. It is likely they could be moving by mid-July. They're also looking at properties in Brixham - looks like I may see them more often in the future then.
Day 154
They went food shopping this morning and filled the fridge with seafood, salad and steak. Either they're having a party or they're preparing to disguise themselves in order to merge with some of the visitors who come to Brixham in the summer - you know, the Pie Eaters and Salad Dodgers. Why they go clothes shopping together I'll never know. Pistols at dawn would be simpler and more humane.
Day 155
Intermittant rain delayed them leaving early but eventually they did go out walking. When they got back later that afternoon it would appear they had caught the bus to La Corbiere Lighthouse and had lunch in the hotel there. A walk in the breeze and sunshine kept them in a good mood for the rest of the day. It's quite windy tonight.

Friday 1 June 2012

Year 5, Day 152

It's my birthday today - I'm six. I wonder what they've got me?

Well, I would have preferred cake, cards and a few drinks but they turned up with some new fenders - what planet are they from? However, we're going to Jersey tonight so I'm all excited !!!!