At Burnham

OK I made it at last. The time is 1830. 'Sandpiper' was successfully launched ten minutes before high water. Having made the boat fast to her pontoon I went for a walk beside the river.

Being a Sunday there were many people enjoying the beautiful weather. There was a cooling southerly breeze coming off the water. I've never seen so many dogs having walkies, doing their whatnots, sniffing here and there; mums and dads with their kids, all licking ice creams; yachties leaning over balconies downing cool drinks, and on the river yachts sporting full sail.

For the first time this year I felt I was on holiday. I'm relaxed looking forward to tomorrow when I'm hoping to meet the owner of 'Ladynbird' for a sail aboard my old 'mistress'. She will seem positively huge by comparison with my West Wight Potter.

Well, I'm hoping I'll have a good night's sleep. I shall make myself comfortable by wearing pyjamas, which is a luxury, as I usually turn in on the boat dressed, to be ready for any emergency that may turn up. This is a precaution when anchoring off for the night.

I hope there will not be one tonight, because I'll be caught with no pants on!