Sunday 16 April
Mate woke early but didn’t find any evidence of a visit from the Easter bunny – I guess that’s the price you pay for always being on the move. Once Skipper had roused himself they tidied me up for the last three miles into Waterford City, where we would tie up to a pontoon on the edge of the river. Unfortunately they didn’t time our arrival well, and the stream was in full ebb, with an awkward crosswind to make it even more difficult to ‘land’. The promised gap had been commandeered by a small sailing yacht, so my crew eventually got me rafted up to a boat already secured to the mooring, but I was lying at a very strange angle with my bow resolutely out into the river. By the time the flow had eased, so had the wind; the little yacht’s crew had returned to take her elsewhere, and we were able to slip into the space without further drama.
We were the first visitors of the season, so the kind and helpful harbour master, and his lovely Alsation, Geordie, gave us a discount on the berthing fees. Mate was glad to catch up with the laundry at very good rates, and enjoyed hot showers ashore in the facilities. I had a good wash down and my water tanks were filled up at last. Shore power soon got all the electronic toys in full working order again, so good use was made of the wifi.