Winter brings excitement and opportunity

Oddity’s double glazing, insulation and heating create a warm, homely environment as I bash out this column.

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We’re currently on a chilly mooring in the Yealm Estuary as another season’s closure is heralded by a cloud of leaves as they drift past on an outgoing tide. The weather gods conspired against us this year as, with

seeming intent, they gifted fleeting spells of idyllic sailing, but out of sync with our spare time. Throw in breaking my wrist and we are left with a sense of loss that makes this final few days on board all the more precious.

For all that, there have been highlights, with a couple of Channel crossings and time in the Channel Islands where we were able to catch up with friends. Trapped by weather, I caught the amazing Condor Ferry to Poole for another sail with Pip Hare to see the new sails that we have spent so much time and effort raising money to purchase.