Saturday 23 July
Can’t this crew cope with a bit of sunshine? The Mates climbed all over my cockpit this morning to rig this noisy, flappy green sunshade…green – really? My colour scheme is RED, and we’re not talking port and starboard. Honestly, how’s a girl supposed to show any dignity around here? Still, I was somewhat mollified by having a big bull seal come close to demonstrate his fishing prowess, lying on his back to enjoy his catch of the day. Before I knew it, my little sister was hauled out of the sail locker and pumped up ready to carry the crew over the channel to Brightlingsea to get the Second Mate back on the bus for her homeward journey. By the state of them when they came back to me, it was a wet and bumpy ride, but that’s what they get for leaving me behind. It sounds like they enjoyed the Regatta in full swing while they were over there, and found the local shops open for business and good food. Skipper served up an impressive supper of locally caught fresh flounder, which smelled delicious along with the Second Mate’s gift of homemade spinach pesto, sautéed Jersey new potatoes and broccoli. We all had ringside seats for spectacular Regatta fireworks.