At last afloat despite a pandemic

I have been longing to get back on Little Dragon for so, so long. A pretty compelling set of excuses has made it impossible: shoulder injury, bush fires and then the pandemic. We are out of lockdown (for now) and I spotted a forecast of Goldilocks conditions (they didn't eventuate). The Big River Sailing Club is still closed but Hariet gave us access to the disabled shower and toilet plus we could boil a kettle outside. I need a post sail cuppa before the long drive home. Most importantly John Woods was willing to join the venture, he also hadn't been out for a while.

When I arrived at 10 am instead of Goldilocks conditions the wind was howling, white caps everywhere and John even tentatively suggested we abandon the trip. I demurred and we rigged but put a reef in. Once afloat the wind dropped right off so we shook out the reef. Then the wind turned WSW and there was a very strong ebb tide. Little Dragon wasn't able to make way upstream against the tide. We tried to reach the bridge but ended up tacking back and forth across the river for over two hours barely getting more than a couple of hundred metres from the clubhouse.

I didn't care. It was thoroughly enjoyable.

I reckon Little Dragon also enjoyed being afloat again. A huge thank you to John without whom I couldn't have done it. I hope you also had a good time John.

Let's hope that the pandemic doesn't put paid to my dreams of sailing again soon.