Small Boat to Chichester - Day 6

A funny sort of day weather wise. Sunshine, howling winds, flat calm, downpours, hail, you name it, we had it!

The chandlery at Chichester Marina happily had the type of deck vent we have in stock. Oh, I forgot to mention that at some point on Tuesday the starboard cabin vent got dislodged by a passing foot (probably mine I fear) and lost overboard. Only a tenner so not a disaster.

With that sorted, I set about some ropework that needed doing. First job was to shorten the kicking strap which I'd made a yard and a half two long. Next up was to divide the line for the cruising chute sheets in two and fit the second nab shackle to make a pair of sheets.

How often, even whether, we'll use the second sheet remains to be seen. It's only of use of we're gybing the chute and with it flown inside the forestay that may be not very often or even never.

Finally, I set about cutting two straps off one side of the holdall we're using as a launch bag for the chute and sewing them to the other side thus making a pair of clip loops that can be used to attach the bag to the guard wire when launching the chute.

Meanwhile, although we'd traded with the natives for supplies yesterday and obtained a white liquid not unlike milk and some slices of cured pig amongst other things for a paltry glass or two of the local firewater, it was felt that a foraging party should try it's luck and Rik set of to explore Birdham returning some while later with further useful additions to the ship's stores.

Mark spent the whole day with two bits of spare string and the knot book doing astonishing things like tying a loop in a rope one hand behind his back whilst standing on one leg with his eyes shut. I kid you not. Or even knot.

Come the evening we consumed sausages and mash with mixed vegetables before Rik and I set out on a night raid of Dell Quay. A walk of a mile or so through Salterns Copse ascend on alongside the water brought us to a very pleasant spot with a very nice pub where we knocked back several pints of very nice beer.

The walk back in the moonlight would have been magical too but it was getting more than a bit chilly! A good night never the less.

Tomorrow we shall start getting into gear for the return eastwards.