Solstice

 It was the Winter Solstice Festival at Seaworks in Williamstown last week. The WBA put a few boats on display, to add some boaty atmosphere to what is essentially a big open shed. 

The SCAMP was popular, various people tried it out for size, including Tony, who is getting one built, but the old advice for actors, "never appear with dogs or children" proved all too true. Ozzie stole the show. He had a way of locking gaze with passers by and smiling that was irresistible.

I had to put a ladder next to the boat so the long queue of children could get up to eye level to give him a pat.  It was a good night, almost like sailing only noisier.

We have been grandparenting and pottering otherwise. The weather has not been great for sailing, cold, windy and/or rainy. I should have launched Thursday, the only free reasonable day last week, but I thought I better do some trailer tinkering, adding a support under the centreboard case so the weight is not on the uphaul gear. It is a better arrangement but somehow managed to chew up the window of opportunity. Hey ho, some settled -if cold- weather coming up, I hope to take advantage of it.