Since returning from the summer trip, my crew have been on board several times to remove perishables as well as the batteries that were replaced, one or two at a time due to their weight. Last time my skipper spent much of his time assisting an engine issue in board another yacht, who eventually limped back to Beaulieu. Hopefully having found a split in the sea water intake, the cooling issue may have been resolved, but the perished exhaust meant that water was filling the bilge all the while the engine was running !
So this Sunday it was good not only to have the company return on board, but to be taken out too. The Medina has quietened down a lot during September, although I have a few new boats to keep me company on the pontoon. The weather was very warm and muggy, with the threat of a storm always in the offing but never came. The wind was non-existent and so my sails were never readied and as I motored out into the Solent I was taken East on the last of the ebb tide.
Osborne Bay had about twenty boats in it, as my hook was lowered and sunk into the mud beneath. Having a deeper keel than most, my skipper doesn't jostle about to get close to the shore line, so we sat on the outside having a clear view across to Lee on Solent. Black clouds hung around holding in the oppressive heat, there was no let up as no sea breeze formed either.
My crew set too with little jobs, it was good to hear voices from the cockpit speaker once more. Low wattage LED lights were fitted in the master cabin and the Auto Pilot sensor was checked over.
Once lunch had been consumed and the flood tide had returned, the hook was raised and I was returned back to my berth. However yet again a small rib had taken the space, so I was manoeuvred the other side of Polly whilst my crew moved the offending vessel out of the way.
