Orwell in the rain...

Slow moving thunderstorms dominating the day...

...and, by all accounts, things could have been worse....much worse.  The drive back home along the A14 was manic and, on returning home, St Ives had developed multiple mini-floods.  As it happens on today's short boat trip, rain was forecast and, whilst it didn't disappoint, I certainly had the best of the day.

In a light F3 southerly breeze, Daisy II eased down the Orwell, through a couple of showers as far as the turn.  A few tacks later, it made sense to stop for lunch as another shower came through.  Looking back towards Pin Mill, though, things looked much worse.
The forecast was for worsening conditions in the afternoon although the wind had, by now, dwindled to nothing.  So, in becalmed conditions, I motored back to the mooring and was pleased that the outboard, for once, behaved impeccably.

Last week's poppies still in bloom, almost changing the colour of the water

No wind.  By the return to Pin Mill, further storm clouds had gathered.

It was wonderful, later that day, to receive some pictures of Daisy II as I was motoring back to the mooring, captured from shore by Dave who is skipper of coaster Pamela Jean.

becalmed return to the mooring captured from shore

And, whilst on the subject, he also sent this picture of my return from another recent cruise.  Another day, very different conditions!

Return from a cruise a few weeks ago.

Storms then saw me off the river and, judging by the drive home, timing was just about right.

7.4nm

The next three weekends will feature limited day sailing since concerts have been booked for the skipper at various points.  So much for my objective not to make music during summer months...