First sail of the year

On New Year's morning, despite being a lovely day to be on the water and a public holiday to boot, it was very quiet down at the Altona Boat Harbour.  Some hangovers to nurse perhaps.   I launched, and motored round the rock wall to anchor off the yacht club and rig the sails.

Kate, a fellow AYC sailor, came down to meet me round 9, and we sailed slowly along the coast past Altona Pier.  The wind was light to non existent, but it was very pleasant in the sun, and we kept enough way on to be able to steer. We landed for a leg stretch on the beach past Skeleton Creek.  It always makes a sail seem more like a journey if you land.  The wind picked up for the broad reach back. 

I dropped Kate back at the Yacht Club, then motored back into the boat harbour.  Ozzie was too eager to be back on dry land, and misjudged his leap to the dock.  He fell into the water and submerged - I could see a very worried looking eye looking back up at me from under the water.  Luckily he had his life jacket on, and I was able to grab the handle and drop him back in the boat.  I hope he got enough of a fright not to try that again. 

Despite the minor drama, it was a great way to start the New Year.