May 4th, return to terra firma

Events have been decidedly hectic, recently, not least due to an unscheduled visit from a team of burglars who took a fancy to an old outboard motor in the garage.  Sadly, for them, it was seized so won't take them very far.  Sadly, for me, I didn't note down its serial number so the insurance company won't cough up.  There's a lesson in this somewhere...

Daisy II, fortunately, seems in good shape and has returned to the front drive in order to attend a rally, next weekend, at Rutland Water.  I took the opportunity for a brief sail up and down the Orwell before calling in at Woolverstone Marina.  The charges for using their slipway, now, are far too high - over £30 for boats over 4.5m.  It would be better if the slipway was cleaned of the green algae which makes the surface nothing short of treacherous.  I don't mind paying premium rates for a premium service.  It wasn't hard to see why, on a bank holiday weekend, this slip was devoid of other customers.  Unfortunately, I had to use it today since the tides were too low otherwise to haul the boat out at Pin Mill.  Another note to self: be better organised in future...

Daisy II waiting patiently at the overpriced Woolverstone Marina slipway.  Green algae in evidence - and much greater quantities of it the further down the slip one ventures.  Treacherous under foot.

5.3nm

On the way down to fetch the boat, the lighting board worked its way loose and I had one of those unpleasant experiences whereby a passing car slowed down, gesticulating wildly at the trailer.  Fortunately, despite having been dragged along the A14 for at least a mile or so, the thing was not beyond repair and a visit to Halfords in Ipswich secured a replacement 4-way light which I was able to fit before returning home with the boat.

A quick look at the long range forecast shows that next weekend's Rutland Water rally is likely to feature both March winds and April showers in some abundance.