SV Ostinato: Where's Spell Check When You Need I?

April 30 - The plan was to pull anchor at slack tide and catch the out going tide to cruise up the coast on our way to Ipswich. As plans go, it was a good one but of course it didn't happen quite that way. By the time we got the dingy up, the tide was roaring out. While King and Bill were glued on the electric winch pulling up the anchor like they were watching the latest episode of Dr. Who, I'm at the helm with visions of us careening sideways down the channel. Of course, this didn't happen. We did a bit of sliding at the "dog leg" where we ran aground coming into the anchorage the night before, but otherwise, a graceful exit. While we caught the tide going out, it was only a short motor to the Orwell where we were quickly fighting the current again.

Upon arrival at Ipswich Haven Marina we found they had assigned us to our usual spot....last slip near the city.....monohull instead of catamaran rates so we are happy, happy. The added bonus is everyone anywhere near the marina knows we have arrived. Early next morning friends from our previous visits began dropping by to say hello. With us being so close to the town, the local news media decided Ostinato made a good prop for local stories. She showed up in the local newspaper and again, a few days later, on the nightly news.

May 3 - First agenda item was to change out the starboard prop. Since loosing and replacing the port prop last summer in Scotland, Ostinato has had mismatched props. It was time to attend to that and

Ivor leads us in to dry out

make sure all was good below the waterline. Ivor and Denise from the Orwell Yacht Club had gotten the Commodore's approval (thank you Brenda!) for us to take another go at drying out at OYC.....but in a different location! Hopefully one where we wouldn't sink in up to our armpits. The work went perfectly and we were back at the Ipswich Haven docks on the 2nd tide. Even got a few extra chores completed. Very nice.

May 13 - With the big chores completed, it was time for a vacation, from our vacation. Off to beautiful Ireland, the home of our dear friend Jerry, and his lovely wife Brid, who invited us aboard his yacht, Delta Star, for a few days of cruising about southern Ireland. Ryan Air was offering a £19 special to Cork from London. The return would be a sail/rail package with a ferry from Rossalare to Fishbourn and then the train back to Ipswich. The weather forecast, of course, turned ugly and the Delta Star's launching from her winter layup was put on hold. It looked like the cruising part of the visit was looking doubtful. Jerry began making plans for a road trip instead, suggesting that we might see Ireland the proper way vs. the 3 day cross country "fly-by" we completed in the summer of 2012. I was disappointed but every gray cloud has its silver lining. I just needed to find it. Duberry boots! The factory outlet is in Ireland. A land trip sounded perfect. Bill even got into the spirit and called wife Claire to share the exciting news (I think it was more like to float the idea but we won't go there). Bill and I were definitely up for a road trip (to get boots of course)! King was noticably silent as we plotted our strategy. Of course, the weather cleared and Jerry's boat was launched....... However, you can't go on a boat without stopping by the marine store! Jerry suggested we make an offer on the ridiculously high price they were asking for the boots. We were considering 2 pair for goodness sake. And, Bill was leaving the country so we could deduct the VAT. Those boots were getting almost cheap! Once I teared up and suggested to King they could be my birthday present (King swears I said Christmas too but we all know better), the deal was sealed. Our first night aboard was spent in Baltimore Harbour (in our boots, I might add). Jerry warned the Harbour Master that the Americans that wrecked his docks were back to visit. Unfortunately.... he remembered us. It was too early in the season for King's #1 rated fish and chip stand so we had to substitute crab sandwiches at the pub. King can have the fish and chips. I've found my official favorite!

Baltimore Harbour

Sue & Bill showing off their new boots

The cruise was lovely, we passed the Fastnet light (Ireland's most southern point) spotted a couple of whales, and spent the nights in beautiful anchorages. All topped off with Irish coffees.....made by our favorite Irishman! All this said and I haven't even mentioned Jerry's lovely wife or her horses and their new fillies. It was a perfect visit. Thank you!

ahaaaaa is that cute or what

May 19 - On return to Ipswich, Bill decided it was time to return home to mow the grass before the

After a month, Bill is still trying to figure
out what 20 pence looks like!

neighbors started to complain. Since we didn't plan to depart the UK until the end of the month, the chore list came out once again. King decided that we should get the wood he will use to make the braces for the mast in the UK where we won't be trying to sort it out in Dutch at the local building supply. This is not thrilling me as I have visions of crossing the North Sea in a blow (remembering last October!) with ten 10ft 2x6s strapped to the bow and stern coming loose and flying about. It's all about compromises.....They are now strapped down on the stern and we will wait for a really, really good weather window.

While King was wrestling with the wood beams, I had decided it was time to address the BIG EMBARRASSMENT. Sometime last summer I was looking at the stern of the boat where Tallahassee, FL is written in big bold letters. For some reason it caught my eye...."gosh that looks funny" I said to myself. "Hmmmm" "OMG, TALLAHASSEE is spelled wrong"!

Where's spell check when you need it most?

all better!

Fortunately, Tallahassee is not on the tip of every one's tongue so for over a year no one seemed to notice! For the past few months I have had a fender placed over the offending letters, just in case. Since I am the guilty one, it was my mistake to correct. My only defense is that no one should be slapping letters on the back of the boat days before you are scheduled to cross the Atlantic.......without Spell Check.

We managed to slip in a bit more touring thanks to Ivor and Denise. Who could refuse an offer to go riding about in Ivor's new Bentley! I looked really good in that car! Lots of goodbyes to make. The Friday night OYC bunch was in full force on our last visit and we were able to join the OYC weekend cruise and beach supper on our last night in the UK. Thanks again to Ivor and Denise, we ate like kings!

Good food and music with the Orwell Yacht Club. At anchor our last night in UK.

Karen and Bruce from SY Layla joined us for the cruise across to Belgium.....or should I say motor cruise. They were hoping to get a feel for sailing on a Cat....however, while we attempted to sail a couple of times, it just wasn't in the cards. We completed the crossing in a quick 12 hours to Neiuwpoort Belgium.

At last, our summer cruise has begun!