Tanya sent me this photo of Andy and Mary out today in Peregrina. A fine crew to be sure. I am so glad that the boat is nearby and getting used, it does my heart good to see the kids out enjoying the boat. I guess boat use goes in long cycles but for now, I am really glad that Peregrina is out being used and not mouldering away under a tarp in someone's back yard.
I had a busy tiring week last week that didn't include any sailing. When I skip for a bit it all seems hard to get going again. Yesterday was a light winds nice weather forecast so I invited Andrew in his Laser. A sailing arrangement with someone else keeps me honest.
It was a fantastic sail. The wind was light to start but picked up to round 10 knots, blue skies, getting warmer. And we got a visit from a friendly pod of dolphins!
Khiem from the Sydney Raid group was down in Melbourne and came out in the Skerry with the AYC Cruisers. He did a short video and write up of Derry.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/raidsydney/permalink/5258084204320005/
It was great to sail with Khiem, and I learned a few things on light airs balanced lug sailing. We got over into Kororoit Creek, then back over to raft up with Greg and Andy and Campbell and Mary and Duncan off Altona Pier. A great day out.
A nice group of younger locals have started an informal group AYC Cruisers. Mostly young dads with kids. I am invited as honorary geezer. My oars have come in handy, towing fleet members to the raft up in no wind, and the anchor has come in handy in a bit more wind, stopping us drifting down on the coast before lunch is finished.
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Only one other boat out last week, and they didn't stay out long after lunch. We did have a great procession of a pod of dolphin, led by a seal, that swam by quite close to us.
After I retrieved the anchor I sailed over to the mouth of Skeleton Creek, Nd we stopped for some shore leave.
Tide was low, and getting out over the shallow mud was fun, sailing standing up so I could better see possible channels, and shifting weight to free the boat when we got stuck. About 8.5 NM for the day. I was seriously tired afterwards.
I am starting to think about set up and packing for the Murrar trip in October and Tawe-nunnugah-2023 next Feb. Jamie gave me a screw top barrel ages ago which I finally got round to trying in the boat. It fits so well it is like they were made for one another. Have to get another, they will be perfect for food and cooking stuff I think.
