Seacock in and glands tightened, hull given a final polish, and we’re ready to be lifted in. We’ve been sailing many years but it is always special when we’re relaunched,  even after just a week ashore.

We are lowered gently in and check all the skin fittings, seacocks etc and all is good…except one! We’re lifted out again and necessary glands tightened. Back in and the seawater stays on the outside.

Next tricky operation is re-fitting mast and all the standing rigging…straightforward, but fiddly…why does so much work on a boat involve being upside down.?

Finally, the mast is reasonably straight and pointing up, the stringy bits are sorted and we’re ready to motor up to the original mooring and prepare to start the voyage tomorrow.

James and Yee Tak visited the Giants Causeway recently, so John and Chris make use of the car to drive out. We sailed this way in September, but with the sun over the cliffs, the Causeway passed by in a dark and shadowy haze…now we see what it really looks like..

PS…as of the 6pm shipping forecast, the winds and sea state which have been favourable all week, have started to show a bothering trend. Decision tomorrow…