Delay

How often do our plans work out exactly as intended? In my experience they quite often do not, because of unforeseen circumstances.

When planning a coastal passage, various factors need to be considered, such as: weather, tides, distance to the chosen safe haven, will the engine be used to keep up an average speed, or is it the intention to sail most of the way, and will the crew be able to operate a watch system?

Inevitably with these variables, opportunity exists for the unexpected. What if the weather takes a turn for the worst - perhaps there’s a headwind instead of the forecast ‘soldier’s wind’? Then for some unaccountable reason the engine gives up the ghost and the whole crew goes down with seasickness. Well, that really upsets the apple cart. All the optimism in the world will not make a ha’p’orth of difference!

Today, ‘Bumper’ should have been launched; instead the launching master said it could not be done because there were too many boats coming in and out. It would have to be tomorrow, if I was lucky. So my plan for a trial sail had to be postponed, but when shall I be able to do it? Unfortunately, the forecast for the coming week is very poor…. rain, rain and rain, but there is sunshine beyond the rainbow and the month of May could be glorious.