Zen Again

 

There is one last refit job to complete, aboard Stargazer. Polishing her blue hull stripe. It was today's task. Until a cancelled lift brought a hail, from 'Wayne the crane.' "We can get you in now, if you like." The offer, of an early relaunch, is too good an opportunity to miss.

Half an hour later, I am crouched in the engine bay. Stargazer now afloat. But with the crane slings still in place. In case of water ingress through the new saildrive diaphragm. All is well. I emerge through the companionway, to give a thumbs up to the yard crew.

The roaring crane motor falls silent. Ripples lap musically against the hull. Stargazer tugs gently at her lines. Liberated from the dusty yard. In her element once more. Testing her freedom. Her skipper scurries the deck. Re rigging the backstay; setting up lines and fenders; test running the, newly reassembled, engine. Basking in the spring sunshine.

Back on our berth, I break out the coffee pot. Settled in Stargazer's cockpit, I contemplate our good fortune. Savouring this settled start to spring. Picturing wave-riven cliffs, open horizons and Atlantic shores. Feeling Zen again.