Saturday June 11th, Orwell and Felixstowe Bay

20.2nm, Season's total 184.8nm

Pin Mill Sailing Club Smack Race

Today's sail was particularly memorable for two wonderful reasons.  Firstly, Pin Mill Sailing Club Smack Race took place.  The sight of these wonderful boats was a joy to behold.

Good to see her afloat

Gipsy Moth IV

Secondly, the East Anglian Sailing Club at Levington had chartered Gipsy Moth IV, inviting people to sail her for £65/three hours.  I seriously thought about paying up, but then decided it would be better for Daisy II to sail alongside her.
Sir Francis Chichester's book about his voyage around the world was a great read.  Amazing to think of this wonderful yacht sailing the Southern Ocean, and rounding Cape Horn.
In real life, she looked smaller than I had imagined.  The last time I had seen her, she was in 'permanent' dry dock alongside the Cutty Sark at Greenwich.
It is so good to see her afloat again...

Interestingly, in his book, Chichester spent much of the pre-voyage trials moaning about the boat, and had serious reservations about her design.  She is still an iconic sailing vessel.