Looking back: old photos and memories

Whilst doing some sorting out of files I found two fuzzy photographs. One was the only other time I have almost run aground with Arwen (regular readers will recall from a post last week the embarrassment I suffered when running aground the mudflats in Salcombe).

This fuzzy photo - it has been taken as a frozen image off a short film I made - shows the time when the jib had twisted badly and the furler jammed. So intent was I on solving that problem that I didn't see the underwater hazards ahead until too late - fortunately I went over the rocks with about 2' of water to spare. Phew! In fairness , from water level, I didn't see them ahead when looking either....so double lesson learnt!

 

 

The other photo is from a couple of years ago - again a poor image captured off a poor quality film. It was the time I was surrounded by a school of porpoise in the middle of Jennycliffe bay on the eastern side of Plymouth Sound. In fairness I was trying to film with one hand and steer and sheet the main with the other. Still happy memories. Lets hope the porpoise make a return this year. I did try to avoid them but they kept coming up so close - very unusual.  Normally I try to keep 25m from them minimum. But this lot were pretty inquisitive.  Not for the first time have I been surprised by porpoise popping up alongside Arwen. On the very day she was out for her first sail, we had a porpoise accompany her for 25 minutes.......right up as close as this one!  Perhaps Arwen makes some underwater noise or swirly water pattern that porpoise find amusing!!