Lifted, in all senses. Both Stargazer's hull and her skipper's heart. To mark this moment, sunshine breaks through the grey winter cloud canopy. Injecting colour, warmth and optimism.
An early start, and a cheeky enquiry, have brought Stargazer to the head of the haul out queue. Of boats whose spring crane bookings have been delayed by high winds, staff shortage or mechanical breakdown. Creating the usual lift out lottery. In which a persistent, yet cheerful, presence often provides the winning ticket.
A mostly mild off-season has proven fruitful for marine growth. But the Shogun 033 antifoul has kept molluscs at bay. And a verdant accumulation of slime is soon pressure washed clear.
There is added urgency to Stargazer's spring refit this year. We normally set sail, for the summer, in mid-April. Propelled south by the north-easterly winds which often prevail during the month. But this year the lock will be closed, for maintenance, throughout April.
Unless we can leave before Easter, Stargazer will be trapped in Dockyard Basin No.1 until May. By which time the wind is likely to have switched to the south west (headwind), passage ports will be busy and cruising time (and range) curtailed.
Before the annual flurry of scraping, painting, polishing and engine servicing begins, Stargazer and her skipper pause to savour the heady prospect of the summer ahead. Basking before the ornate Victorian brickwork of The Pump House. Which once housed the steam boilers, that operated this naval drydock in its shipbuilding heyday. And is now home to the burnished retorts of the Copper Rivet distillery.
