Others were stirring, as I opened the hatch and stuck out my head, mug of steaming coffee in hand.
The lock out was far more organised, everyone having booked their preferred time, 09:30, 10:00 or 10:30. We were on the 10:30, so Louise readied the boat, and checked her passage plan, as Tigger and I went for a leisurely walk, talking with other Cardiff sailors as we did so.
When we did eventually lock out, it was cramped, but civilised.
Out we went, into the Bristol Channel, her waters already starting ebbing back West, just in time to start the next cycle and bring more water up to Bristol, as it's done for millions of years.
Anyway, time to get the sails up.
Louise hoisted our cruising chute, or asymetric spinnaker, if you prefer.
We were joined by a variety of other coloured sails.
All the boats jockeyed for position, adjusting sails and headings to try and find the best puff of wind on another very calm day. The sheer joy of being out on the water moved along by nothing more than a breath of wind, was obvious on everyone's face.
A couple of hours later, we were enjoying a ginger beer in the club bar (Louise had work and I am hopeless at afternoon drinking). The arguments started about who had sailed the best and the worst, and laughter rang out across the Bay.
A 'shakedown' cruise, really, but one that left everyone with a big smile on their face, wanting more, and wondering whay we can't get weather like this all the time.
