Solving the riddle?

Saturday 16 July

An early start was necessary this morning to use the tides to help us navigate Northeast across the obstacle course of sandbanks, making the Mate think of Erskine Childers’ Riddle of the Sands, and wind farms that have sprouted like patches of forest throughout the Thames Estuary.  Once again the chart plotter came into its own, allowing the crew to steer safe courses in deeper waters.  For once the wind cooperated and we all enjoyed eleven hours’ wonderful sailing.  The sun shone and dolphins dropped by twice more.  Skipper found me a sheltered anchorage in a secluded creek, thanks again to my lifting centreboard, which means I can explore much shallower water than most boats of my size.  I found myself making new friends with a bob of seal mothers and their pups, who are 93 editedalternately curious and swim near me for a better look, and lazily sunbathing half caked in mud from their scramble out of the water.