A frustrating couple of days. We left Neath yesterday morning, after arranging for my father to give us a lift. When we met John at the boat, he said we'd be delayed as the forecast had worsened. We'd stay with him at Saundersfoot and get a lift back to Neath today.
Gutted.
By 22:00 last night it was looking better again, so once more we began to anticipate.
Spent today doing last minute jobs on the boat, a final fresh food shop and then set off for a shakedown sail.
That was when I started to smile. The way Chelone cut through the water, her 75hp turbo charged engine purring was nice enough. When we raised the mainsail and felt her 17tonnes heave forwards it was even better.
Louise and I showed the others how to reef the main, and shake out the reef again. We then steamed under the cleddau bridge and everyone had several turns at each job in the man overboard procedure. All good.
We returned to the marina and nervously checked the grib files for wind strength. All systems go. We leave at 07:00 Sat, tomorrow at first light.
So, Louise is warming a curry for us. The others are dropping off their cars and arranging lifts. A few hour kip and then, at last, we leave.
