Dandelion

".....I held a dandelion

That said the time had come 

To leave upon the wind...."

Stargazer is afloat once more. The evening sun warms her cockpit. Where I sit, mug of coffee in hand. At peace with the world.

Delayed delivery, of spare parts (seals) for the sail drive, meant that we had missed our allocated relaunch slot. With the crane booked solid, beyond Easter.

But, we are blessed with two still, dry, days. On day one, Taylor (Marina Manager and crane driver) conjours a gap, in his hectic pre-Easter schedule, in which to return Stargazer to her natural element. On day two, I bend on the sails. Alan and Sarah (from Wilkinson Sails) arriving with a set of tapered battens, for the new genoa.

On day three, the March wind doth blow. An equinoctial gale, out of the south. I manhandle the long-life provisions, stockpiled over the winter, aboard. They fill the saloon. And I wonder if I have overdone their quantity.

But, by midday, the mound of tins, jars and packets has been persuaded into lockers. Or the aft cabin storage bins. Followed by my clothes and bedding. The spring relaunch rush is over. Stargazer feels like home once more. My racing mind slows to 'sea tempo.'

Idly, I scroll through a week's backlog of e mails. Including one from Helene, on the Passeport Escales team, who sends a preview copy of this year's brochure.

(See ‘French Connections’ post)

Which features ‘Doug de Chatham’ (yours truly) and a fine portrait of Stargazer, at anchor, on the La Penze river, in 2020.

CREDITS

"Curtains" (Dandelion quotation) by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, 1975. 

 

The Jigsaw

 

The 'new' Wilkinson Sails loft is an unassuming structure, clad in corrugated sheet. It is located above the reach of the highest spring tide. A five minute walk (uphill) from its picture-postcard, Kentish clapperboard, predecessor.

Which was built beside Faversham Creek. Flooding, with increasing regularity, as the channel silted. (Due to a decade-long wrangle, between Peel Ports and the County Council, over responsibility for maintenance of the town's sluice gates).

The ‘new’ loft may be less picturesque, than its predecessor. But, it provides a more cost effective and practical location, from which to operate a burgeoning sail making business. The move thus embodies the Wilkinson philosophy, of providing simple and pragmatic solutions.

The door groans theatrically, as I open it. Causing Sarah to look up, from the sail which she is repairing. She calls, to alert Alan, who emerges from the store room, bearing Stargazer's new genoa. Completed, after much over winter design discussion. It is cross-cut and in Contender Vectran.

One more piece of the jigsaw, which is the readying of Stargazer for her summer cruise, slots into place.

In the boatyard, meteorological spring announces its arrival, with sudden showers and languorous bursts of sunshine. Whilst the tide ebbs and floods with a more predictable regularity. Work, on Stargazer, occurs in opportunistic fits and starts, as conditions permit.

Day by day, the ratio of sunshine to showers rises. One by one, refit tasks are completed: polishing, antifouling, anode renewal, engine servicing and water pump replacement. Pieces completing the pre-season preparation picture. Until Stargazer is ready for her relaunch.

In Tension

 

In the still of Friday evening, I bring Stargazer alongside the crane dock. Ready for her annual lift out, arranged for Monday.

Weekend long, the weather holds.

But, on Monday, forty knot gusts race one another, along the length of the river. Squalls scurrying from winter into spring. Crane work is cancelled. Carefully laid plans are thrown awry.

Tuesday and Wednesday are forecast to be fair, before the next system rolls in. But both days are already fully booked. And the 'rules,' of the crane dock are that boats, which have their lift cancelled, must queue for the next vacant slot. With Easter in the offing, such openings are in short supply. 

Tension mounts.

The 'rules,’ however, rely on human interpretation. With Stargazer already alongside, and myself on hand, to unship her backstay and aid sling placement, she would be a quick lift. 

On Tuesday I arrive at the yard early, to see what opportunities the day may bring. Chatting agreeably, in the sunshine, with nautical passers-by. Lured outdoors, by the welcome prospect, of a change in the season.

The benign conditions speed the morning's work. And apply a balm of benevolence to proceedings. Taylor, multi-tasking Marina Manager and crane driver, ambles over to our conversational knot. "Reckon we can squeeze Stargazer in next, if you like?"

Stargazer is swung ashore. A growth, of underwater slime, testament to a (largely) mild autumn and winter. Pent up breath can be released. Preparations, for Stargazer's summer cruise, may proceed. 

My visit, to the French Visa centre, had yielded a six month Visa de Long Sejour, in yesterday’s post. (See French Connections). I have my ticket to summer.

Now it is time to ready Stargazer's hull, rig and engine. Whilst Sarah and Alan complete her new genoa, in the loft at Wilkinson Sails.