Started the usual way, chatting over a pint on Friday evening. Lou mentioned Chalky was on the hard, having had a new coat of anti-fouling. I asked if I could join him in the morning when he took her back to her mooring in Strood Channel...By 08:00, under an already visible and rising sun, we were waiting for the last hour of the tide to float Chalky. She was looking very smart and I couldn't resist the chance to take some pictures of her in that bright and clear morning light.
Lou dropped the dinghy into the water off the end of the pontoon and we were soon aboard Chalky. A few quick checks, engine started and Lou suggested motoring up to Salcott. Would have been a shame to miss this, the last of the rising tide, a morning that was warming up nicely, and plenty of fresh air.
We'd soon made it round the turn into Salcott Channel, finding ourselves pretty much on our own with only the oystercatchers, seagulls and the occasional small boat to keep us company. At the head of the channel we turned off the engine, and in the silence Chalky drifted as the tide turned, and we started to make our way back to Mersea. Tried putting the foresail up, but we were heading straight into the wind, so reverted back to the engine.
It was somewhat busier on the water as we approached the hard and secured Chalky to her mooring. To round of the morning we paid our respects to Pearl as we hadn't yet had our breakfast.
Peace and quiet can be found, if we look around us.
To close with, we all wish Colin a speedy recovery from his accident.
Graeme
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