 Oh, What a Beautiful Morning |
We dined like royalty for breakfast on Weetabix and coffee, and acting the good mariner, I helped the German skipper and his wife on their yacht, Bolero, cast off their lines and waved them off wishing them fair winds and pleasant onward passage after their journey through the Great Glen. "Hope to see you in the Netherlands," shouted the chap.
Rex and I sipped coffee on the cockpit, Rex poring over his tablet at weather predictions for the next few days. Our plan to sail direct to Ijmuiden was slowly dissolving due to the weather over the next few days. However, we could opt to sail in a more southerly direction to Nieuwpoort, which is nearer, and passports could be stamped right by the marina. Then we could coastal-hop over a period of three days to reach Ijmuiden. We homed in on this option since we would at least be on the move.
Thus, relieved to have a rough plan, we caught a bus up to Shotley (as opposed to Shotley Gate where the marina is), bought provisions, and hiked back to the boat in the warm sunshine. It was pleasant on land, yet blowing a Force 4 over the sea.
Evening was spent at the Shipwreck, not entirely the healthy meals that we craved for, but it slipped down well with Guinness.
With the wind whistling around the rigging, we listened to an episode of Sorry I Haven't a Clue, and retired to our bunks, hoping fairer winds would be on the way.