Thursday 7 July
So much for the summer weather – today I felt showers on my deck. Skipper jumpstarted my engine, which seems to be necessary more frequently than it should be, and Mate steered me expertly out into the Solent in only two metres of water. With very little wind I felt the pull of the tide and took us comfortably to the fuel dock in Cowes, and then across the river into East Cowes Marina. I have a few bruises from a previous visit here, but this time Skipper took no chances and the crew tied me up safely in time to enjoy a delicious Spanish omelette with the last of the leftovers. They wiggled the folding bikes out of my innards – the Technical Room Store, built them on the pontoon, and rode off to Waitrose for fresh supplies, returning for supper of fresh trout and cherry tart. They took advantage of the excellent Marina facilities to freshen up me, and themselves, for a good night’s sleep.