Pirates and Gales

Listening to the forecast over breakfast I decided that this was not the weekend to go to the boat with the children. Saturday was looking marginal and Sunday was worse (SW 5-6, occ 7). The pirate weekend at Stone point would be delayed until next year, and I would keep schtum to E, who had been looking forward to it.

09:15.

E: Its the Pirate weekend!

Me: Do you really want to go? The weather's not very nice.

E: Yes, I want to see the pirates!

Me: OKaaay.

Then a desperate scramble to get everything together, food, clothes, pirate costumes, boat stuff and off in the car, and now a push to catch a tide. Excitement all round!

At the marina with M clinging on to me at every opportunity, inflatable up, tide just peaked, time to get aboard, get E and M fed, put M  in his bunk, get under way, have enough tide to get into the Twizzle, plug down under power into a Southerly 6.

At least the cockpit was dry, even if we did pitch enough to get spray on deck forward. M slept all the way despite the fact he must have been near airborne at times in the forecastle, and E held my had and watched the big "bumps" go past, finally collapsing asleep on the cockpit seat, just as we came into the more sheltered Hamford Water. Snuck into the Twizzle with a fast ebbing tide and a couple of feet under the keel, not a good time to ground, and then a couple of attempts at anchoring and not being blown aground on Stone Point. Jolly Roger aloft!

More than a dozen other pirate cutters in the cove, and we raided the shore. Tricorns and frockcoats, stripy tops and breeches, cutlasses and pistols were everywhere. And mud of course. E charged round like mad firing pistols and waving swords at other pirates and general pirate revelry ensued. With CdG lying almost aground at low tide E and M were dropped back aboard for milk and bed, and then I was back ashore for the bonfire and sausages. With the odd walk back to the stern to carefully listen on board, there was no sound from the crew and while the wind blew, the pirates partied.

The forecast for Sunday had degenerated. Now SW 5-7 occ 8! Can’t leave early because there isn’t enough water, don’t want to stay another day lest cabin fever set in. Titchmarsh? Or just to brave it all. Leave it to lunch.

Lunch consumed, weather no better, but not raining as yet. M to bunk, and E given the option, cockpit with me or into my bunk for a rest? My bunk won out, and that was a good choice. Engine on, and a hard workout on the windlass to get the anchor home and then we were away. Heavy rain pelted down, the boat chugged and wallowed and according to E later she was rolled over in her bunk! Back on the mooring with little trouble, and a cheeky faced appeared at the porthole in the doghouse. Are we there yet?

We were a bit wet, a bit tired, but a thoroughly good weekend. Thanks Morgana!

9:10 AM - Jul. 8, 2008 - post comment