D-1, 16 May 19

I can’t really believe that it’s nearly time to set off. I have spent today stowing the remainder of the kit on the boat. I have packed and repacked several times, each time weighing up how many layers of merino wool bloomers I would really need and whether two bikinis it too much for the west coast of Scotland in June? This coupled with the realisation that I’m never going to eat the tins of beans without a tin opener so that’s one for the Co-op in Yarmouth tomorrow I think. In the end I’ve had to remind myself that I’m sailing around Britain, not to a foreign land and so I can speak to the natives and buy stuff in shops – have credit card, will travel is my new mantra!

“Proceed as if success is inevitable….”

Lovely to see some good friends for coffee and later on for cocktails – I thought a rum based Dark N’ Stormy (2 for 1 pitchers in Los Iguanas) was most suitable. And then to continue the nautical theme some Moules et Frites. Thanks to Jon (Vela’s co-owner) for fitting the spare battery and dinner, and Johnny Lawson for asking me searching questions about weather (which only revealed my ignorance of the difference between GFS and GEMs) before explaining some useful stuff.

And now I am here tucked up in my bed, with my alpaca blanket from Debbie and Warren and the fan heater pumping out cosiness and wondering whether the copious rum will be enough to guarantee a good night’s sleep.