Sailing on the Tide - Dinghies

A View of Wootton Creek at Low Tide.

With better weather finally arriving on the island, our sailing season begins.
But we are not ready!!
This winter we had to leave our two dinghies down at the river's edge on their plots in the dinghy park as our road trailer has broken, so we were not able to tow them home to overwinter in the shelter of our garden. This isn't usually a problem as we have left them down to overwinter at the river  before in case we wanted to use them.  But this winter has been particularly bad and it has taken it's toll on our poor little boats.

Peewit (left) Red 5 (right)

 They both look very sorry for themselves. Our Mirror dinghy has the added problem of it's launching trolley wheel has a puncture, along with it being full of rain water and generally soggy.

 Poor little Peewit had to be turned upside down  mid winter as her boat cover ripped in the winds. This has meant her paintwork on the hull has cracked and is flaking off, but thankfully she is sound.

 So Skipper has his work cut out to get these two back on the water.

Rigging, sails, boom, gaff and all the bits and bobs to fit out both dinghies are safely stored at home. I shall gather everything together, check the sails and sheets and make some sandwiches, add a flask of tea, a slice or two of cake and together we will spend some time down at the riverside getting our two little boats ship shape for the season.  

 When the tide floods in and the sea breeze calls, our two little dinghies will be ready to unfurl their sails and dance out on the wavelets of sparkling water...

 Crew's View As The Sails Fill 

Another Wonderful Sail

Just back from a wonderful fortnight sailing around our favourite Greek Isles. This year we were on a Beneteau 323.

Her name is KIATO and she was really lovely to sail, nippy, sporty and really likes to go in a good sea breeze. We were making 8 knots of speed in her most days even when we needed to reef the sails in  23-27 knots of wind!  

One of the highlights of this trip was- we had a couple of dolphins swimming at our bow and then jumping, twisting and I'm sure trying to splash me. We usually spot dolphins but this was pretty special- perhaps they knew I would be  celebrating my birthday on this voyage and came to say hello, it put a huge grin on my face. However didn't manage to catch a photo of them to caught up in the moment I suppose. 

 

While waiting for the breeze to fill we would find a little bay all to ourselves, drop the anchor and have a swim. Each little bay we found we named- this one obviously was Emerald Cave bay.

 

My birthday weekend was spent in Fiskardo on Kefalonia Island.  Cards and presents, sailing, swimming and shopping. Cocktails and bubbly, picnics on board and dinner ashore.

What more could a girl want. A perfect sunset on a magical holiday!