a freezing north wind and a high tide this morning, as Miss Muppet went onto her mooring – rather reluctantly.

the tide still coming in over the marsh

the outboard had to be tested before she went in the water

down on the hard, two intrepid or mad sailors on the Shokanawe (I know) catching the tide before the seal boat trips start . rather them than us.

there are plenty of boats parked down here, spaces bagged early.

the water is high up over the hard and shallow for at least two car lengths.

first try the trailer is still too high out of the water to launch her

testing the depth

second run and the car is right in

hard work to get her off, and too deep for wellies

Sal and Tilda have a paddle; the salty water will be good for her cut paw.

the trailer is manhandled further in and she floats – Paul is in over his boots …

the car is practically floating too …

the skipper gets in

starts the motor and Paul casts off the painter

up the creek to the jetty

a very overloaded tender goes past

fishing out the mooring ropes on the flooded bank

Tilda has a silly five minutes

Sal getting out of her way, she doesn’t care if she bumps him

T cools down after her run

the mooring ropes are sticking and wind and tide pulling the cockle the wrong way

pulling on cold wet ropes is a horrible job in this cutting wind. imagine the crew of a sailing ship rounding the Horn two hundred years ago, it must have been agony for hands, and feet too.

a wonderful sky

at last she is near enough to be safely left.

Sal posing

Auntie Pam waiting to go out to her mooring in the channel

one of the old Sheringham crab boats in the process of restoration.

well, for me, I am quite happy to wait about another six weeks before getting Minnow out.