Camera shake

Shame about the wonky horizon and slightly out of focus, I would clearly benefit from attending a Rick Tomlinson master class like fellow blogger Captain JP or even just letting go of the tiller and holding the camera steady.

Quite modest as super yachts go, flying a defaced Norwegian flag.

Floating bridge

Which ferries foot passengers and cars between East and West Cowes is a familiar sight to anyone travelling up the Medina River by boat, when the yellow lights start to flash and the chains start to clank over the rollers it's a good idea to hold back and give way.

Just as interesting is to take the ferry across from East Cowes, foot passengers travel free and the passenger area is decorated with artwork and poems from local people and schools.

Sunday was the annual Around the Island cycle event the Randonne, a 66 mile ride around the Isle of Wight. As we got off the ferry in West Cowes we were greeted by a wave of riders, rather than the half dozen of so cars, what seemed to be around 100 cyclists crowed on to cross the river for the next leg of the event to Ryde (no pun intended) and then on to Bembridge.

Gone Fishing

Spectacular weather and a holiday weekend, what else would you rather be doing?

The early morning fog on Monday soon lifted to clear skies and sunshine, who cares if we didn't actually catch very much.

Matilda Emily

I haven't written much about Matilda Emily since her launch last March, what with one thing and another we didn't actually get around to sailing her that much last season and with a major building project under way since the start of the year she's been a little neglected.

With a fine weekend in prospect and Joseph and mum going off to the theatre for a birthday treat I took the opportunity to give her a scrub and general clean up.

It was the smallest neap tide of the year so I was a little heart in mouth approaching the scrubbing bay at the RAFYC, I shouldn't have worried, the gauge is measured from the very top of the scrubbing bay where it meets the wall and there was ample water, plus I had the scrubbing dock to myself, just one of the advantages of lifting keel, shallow draft.

Time was a little tight between the water going out, pressure washing and getting the hull dry enough for a coat of anti foul, but with the tide lapping back in around my ankles I got the last paint on and the masking tape off.

Even with a neap tide we floated off more than two hours before HW and Matilda Emily was back on her mooring, ready for the season.

Fingers crossed for some good weather.

Hamble River Cadets

Hamble River sailing Club held their first cadet session of the season on what was a cold and overcast Saturday morning. Despite the weather there was a good turn out. Joseph was among the youngsters who were along for their first sail in an Optimist, or rather the polypropylene plastic version apprpriately nicknamed a "Plopi".

We parents stood (and shivered) anxiously from the shore watching as a bunch of 4 and five year old's sailed off across the river.

But we need not have worried each went with the very capable skipper in charge, sailing Joseph around the course was Rebecca, both were having a great time in the blustery conditions and getting very competitive.

The morning was a success, it was all smiles and "when can we go again?"

Product Quality

We bought a trampoline from a well know national retailer last week, the assembly instructions were actually very good, but as it was going together we noticed that the joints were loose fitting and the 6mm screws supplied had corresponding 8mm holes.

We went in for a cup of tea only to come back to this. A bit of research showed that the 14 foot model from the same manufacturer had been subject to a product recall in the United States.

The retailer took it back without any hesitation, but we'd wasted 2 hours putting it together and another hour taking it apart, plus we had a very disappointed child.

Weekend weather

All week the days have been fine and sunny, thoughts of getting out sailing at the weekend after a long winter.

And what happens Friday arrives, the wind goes round to the north and we're in for a cold spell.

Like they say better a bad day on the water than a good day in the office.