What a day. High winds, and then torrential rain for over 12 hours. Apart from Kevin going out to check the boat a couple of times, and to pay Jez, the harbour master, who braved the weather to collect dues, we were inside all day.

A good day to catch up on admin, including the wage run, and planning the marina where we’ll leave Avalon this year. Kevin also cooked a delicious breakfast.

Then, wrapped in blankets, drinking wine and eating crisps, we listened to more of ‘Frenchman’s Creek’. Great to imagine the spots we have so recently visited.

Very few signs of life from the other boats on our pontoon too. Even the dogs only came out once. Later we realised this was the first day of the biennial Fastnet Race. A record 430 entrants, but by the end of the first night 86 yachts had retired and one boat sunk. Fortunately, no injuries.