Early Bird 6

 

April is arrived, with its vivid caprices. Loosing shafts of sunlight, from boiling thunderous skies. Setting Blue Mermaid's freshly painted topsides aglow, as she refits on the Pin Mill hard.

Out in the river, the north east gale blows unabated. White horses set boats bucking at their moorings. Clouds scud overhead. Light chases shade across the water.

Reeds nod sagely, stood in ranks before the Butt and Oyster: "Four seasons in one day. April's here," they agree.

Green buds adorn grey branches, on the bank above. Heralds of spring.

In the shelter of Harry King's boatyard, the sun shows its warming strength. An orange jacketed figure clambers beneath beached hulls, paintbrush in hand. Antifouling is underway.

Completed boats are wheeled out to the high water mark, in cradles. Ready for their relaunch.

I walk the inland route, for my return to Stargazer. Behind a windbreak of blossoming trees. Their canopies protection from hit and run hail showers.

I ponder our options: A passage south is possible, carrying a fair tide, from tomorrow (albeit requiring an 02.00 alarm). The gale is forecast to be easing and will be blowing from astern (reducing the strength of the apparent wind).  Sunday and Monday's tides would allow a daylight departure. But Sunday's winds look fickle. And Monday's appear to be the build up to a new blow, this time a headwind.

I will set the alarm and take stock tomorrow. In hopes of fair wind and fair tide, for a passage south.