Beach BBQ - first of the season

What a glorious day! We met up with Julian (another one), Tom and Peggy at Hamstead Ledge, just outside Newtown Creek for our first beach BBQ of the year. With barely a breath of wind it was a perfect spot to watch our boats at anchor and see the world go by. Great BBQ too!

Arthur found an abandoned chair for some quality time with his chocolate cake.....

Out at sea

Out at sea, just off Portsmouth with lots of sun and no wind, or hardly any wind. Nonetheless, an opportunity for the kids to enjoy a gentle sail from the foredeck. Lifejackets and lifelines; three firmly attached children.

Pictures over Easter

The kids spend as much time as they can clambering about the boat, and now Arthur is old enough the foredeck is a favourite haunt. Still alongside, they don't need to be clipped on, but they certainly need their lifejackets on. Henry has just been upgraded to an adult style auto inflate jacket.

Preparing for the Easter cruise

Just before the 'off' on our Easter trip, Iona, Henry and Arthur relax in the cockpit having just had a go at fitting their cold weather gear. Nothing too exotic - children grow far too fast to ever justify spending money on the childrens' ranges from Musto, Gill or Henry Lloyd, these are begged and borrowed items from the ski-ing cupboard! Actually, they are perfect and probably better suited to the children than the sailing garments as they are waterproof, insulated and well padded. What is good for the ski slope is perfect for the boat!

Iona sharing the skyline with Portsmouth's Spinnaker Tower,