Tuesday 19 July
I knew I was carrying those two big purple plastic buckets for a purpose – it’s the twintub washing machine the Mate finally worked out today needs to be installed on the back step (yes, you’ve realised, this is one of my most used spaces). Really, MORE washing??
Anyway, eventually the chores were done and we had a lovely sail, no engine, actually sailing, North out of the River Roach and then weaving a path once again between sandbanks and wind farms. 
The sky was cerulean blue, that sets off my beautiful white sails and red trim almost patriotically, but a smoggy heat haze hid our destination until we were almost there. Never mind, the Mate had a lovely time flying my sails goosewinged until we turned for the final approach up the channel towards Brightlingsea, at the mouth of the River Colne. It wasn’t the easiest anchoring in the Pyefleet Channel on the North Shore of Mersea Island, in low water springs and a headwind, and an early avoidance manoeuvre would become necessary in the morning.