Autumn cruise, ready to go after a mucky job.

It is not looking good for next weekend but perhaps early next week?  But I am beginning to think it won't happen at all with only one very short window currently showing over the next 10 days 😡

ECMWF and GFS for Friday 5th Sept. 

Of course the forecasts are not to be relied on that far out but the long term forecast for the 9th - 23rd is not that good:

Low pressure patterns are expected to dominate at the start of this period, bringing changeable weather conditions with showers or some longer spells of rain [and wind]. Conditions may begin to turn more settled and drier later in the period, particularly in the south. Temperatures are likely to be close to or slightly above average.

I suspect a quick dash to the Isles of Scilly and Cornwall is the best I can look forward too, probably with a good deal of time spent sheltering from bad weather before the boat is lifted in October and a third season on the trot restricted due to family emergencies. At least the delayed start might avoid another complication:

The lock out of the marina is again faulty so I can only get out during free flow, not a show stopper but  inconvenient - on the Sunday 31st free flow is 21:47 - 23:47 which with with an hour and a half to Dale anchorage that does not give me much, if any, sleep before a 03:00 start so if the Lock is not fixed I would have to go down on Saturday and get out on Sunday morning, weather permitting. Update: fixed quickly this time.

To be a bit more positive, after a trip to the boat over the last couple of days it is now ready for the off, when the time comes I just need to load fresh food + valuables and I'll be off.

Also one disgusting job is out of the way - cleaning the bilge which was very overdue; and was last winter as well, but then my back problems meant it didn't get done. With the hot weather the stink of bilge was not pleasant until the boat had a good airing. After about 6 hours uncomfortable work it was done and now I just have to make the 5 mile trip go to the waste disposal centre to get rid of the cleaning materials and the oil, grease, etc. that came out.

All of the water & grease from the stern gland goes through the aft
section together with the odd spill of oil and diesel, but cleaning was
easy and it got a coat of paint to fill / cover up a few small cracks.

The main bilge was a different kettle of fish and needed a lot of
work helped by some automotive degreaser.

The paint on the lower keel bolts is in great shape, the ones above
the sump have a few places that will need touching up this winter
but they are not as bad as they look in the picture, most of the rust
coloured stains are just that but I'll treat them properly when the boat
is out of the water and completely dry - the aft one could easily get
 wet from stern gland drips that tend to pool then suddenly come
 forward as the boat moves.

Click here for the off.