Mojo

On this Sunday in June the river Medway rediscovers its Mojo. Covid-quiet, for the past three months, an air of normality returns.

Lock down rules may mean that lunchtime drinkers remain banished from 'The Pier.' The comfortable wooden benches, of its river facing beer garden, strangely forlorn - quiet and empty.

But the Medway Yacht Club slipway has returned to its normal buzz of weekend nautical activity.

Cruisers clamber aboard their craft . . .

. . . to complete the tasks of a, covid disrupted, spring fit out . . .

. . . in the lazy heat of a summer's afternoon.

Dinghy racers, old and . . . .

. . . .young, take to the water.

Dueling through the shifts and lulls, as the tide ebbs. 

An enforced hibernation ends for the Woods cat 'Faith.' Refurbished and rejuvenated over the winter, her mast was craned in last week . Now she is off for sea trials . Ready for adventure.

Aboard Stargazer, I keep a watchful eye on the shifting sands of border restrictions. France has lifted its 100km internal travel limit from tomorrow (15.6.20), giving free rein to cruise Brittany, the Vendee and beyond - once in France. Reciprocal border restrictions, however, remain for those European (or quasi European) nations which have imposed quarantines on travelers from France - as the UK and Spain have . The UK decision is up for government review on the 29th of June . 

There is talk too, among UK port staff, that internal UK port to port navigation restrictions may be relaxed for July.

First though, some sea trials of our own - once our solar panels are installed, during the coming week.