Perfect weather

for sailing.
Not so great for some of the seagulls who were trying very hard to make forward progress, but were, at best, just hanging around (and at least one made flying backwards look absolutely effortless).

It was a bracing 3 mile walk around Pennington, with the blustery conditions meaning there was generally an absence of annoyances (e.g. people wearing far too little and having far too much on show) and the tears that rolled down my face were only a result of my eyeballs being subjected to the wind.

The boats were out in force.  We saw at least 3 that had over-turned and we watched as one lady was 'rescued' as she hung onto the fin/centreboard that was parallel to the water.  I say 'rescued' - it seemed to me to be a tad shouty...one of the chaps in the rescue dinghy was really quite forceful and loud.  However, it probably was necessary to be that way - I would guess that the conditions made it potentially very difficult for the rescuee to hear, as she clung to her boat in water that probably wasn't far off freezing.  She looked completely unflustered - I'd have been a complete mardarse about it.  (Edit - I wouldn't have been daft enough to go out on the water on a day like today!)

All the boats made for some fantastic photo opportunities.  We both liked this one the best, for catching the interference patterns on the sail.

We also managed an ice cream each (it would have to be sub-zero for me to say no to an ice cream with sherbert, sprinkles, sauce and a flake!).

4 more get ups.  Then a spa day.  Then a lie in day or two.  Then off to see the wee'uns and little brother and his lovely wife.  

44 days...(maybe, who knows, they might cancel again!)