Today was the shortest day of the year and a jolly nice one for sailing. Unseasonally mild weather and a brief respite from the battering winds that have been hitting the UK meant the window of opportunity today was just too good to miss.

Stokes fleet is growing exponentially with the addition of Jeremy Harley (Mach 2) and Mike (Aardvark Axiom) who were also out sailing today which took the number up to 7 in total. Jonnie hutchroft will be immanently returning to the boat after a 1 year hiatus which will take the fleet up to 8 active sailors of all different levels.

Today was all about relaxing and remembering how to sail again as it seems like ages since the last time I was out. I sort of joined in a bit of the training with Chris Rashley and Jason Belben but they haven’t seemed to slow down during the off season period. Kevin and I had some good tussles around the upwind downwind course and then I spent a good hour just practicing my port to starboard gybe which is the weaker side for me.

The new tramps are lovely and are made of a heavier cloth than the previous ones so I’m happy there however, trying to resplice the marlow excel racing continuous control lines is a non starter. I’ll need to get some new rope and get that sorted.

Hopefully will try to get out next week if the mild weather continues and then may even make the Bloody Mary race in January assuming it’s not baltic.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS to all the mothies all over the world and may Santa bring you lots of shiny new carbon bits! See most of you at Garda no doubt as I’m sure it’s going to be a great one!