Trust

Richard writes:

We had left Hejira at Queen Anne’s Battery Marina in Plymouth while Nick returned home for a full family holiday in the USA where their son, Ollie and his family live. Although QAB is within the same MDL group of marinas and offer a free berthing swap, it was not as simple as that, they were due to accommodate a racing fleet from the Spanish Armada Cup, and she had to be removed for a couple of days to make room for the racing yachts. What to do? So, with a great deal of trepidation he asked whether I might be prepared to take Hejira out for this period while he was away.

Well, this required a lot of thought. What about the risks involved? After all, Hejira is Nicks baby and the one thing he treasures above almost anything and anybody else. Suppose I hit something? Suppose I sink her or even damage her slightly? But the thought of taking command of this very elegant yacht, with no Nick on board, was overwhelming. No barked orders. No disgusting meals. NO JAZZ… After barely 10 seconds, I agreed.

So, with my crew of wife, Amanda and friend John Coe, we set off. Negotiating the exit from the marina was my first challenge. We had left Hejira alongside the visitors’ pontoon so that, with a Westerly wind, she would be blown off the dock, making departure very easy. However, the wind was from the North, so we were being blown onto the dock. Placing a line from the front of the boat to the pontoon, at about our midway point provided a ‘spring’. With a little forward thrust, the stern eased out into the fairway and I was able to reverse out of our berth, with no problem at all. Textbook!

The weather could not have been better and our destination was Fowey; one of the prettiest harbours on the South Coast where we spent a wonderful 3 days. We walked the ’Hall Walk’ – again, we swam at Readymoney Cove and we met up with our neighbours; Sandy, Peter, Richard and Julia for a wonderful lunch overlooking the water. It was so relaxing. No rushing off to the nearest pub, no little jobs, lots of lazing around; Nick would have been appalled! In fact, he probably was appalled because he could see everything on the Hejira Cam, set up, we think, to spy on us!

I’m writing this as we enjoy a wonderful sail back towards Plymouth. The wind is from the North at a gentle 12 – 15 mph; perfect! We saw dolphins and a Sunfish; quite a rare sight with its’ fin flip flopping from side to side.

The entrance to Queen Annes Battery was challenging. No easy berth alongside the visitor’s pontoon this time, but a finger berth which entailed a sharp 180-degree turn in very little space. All went well and we were soon in the bar enjoying a dirty beer!