20th June - In conclusion

At Fundraising HQ, the administrative nerve centre, Figurehead was back at her task of monitoring the Just Giving website, methodically recording the cheques you have sent (if you’re reading this and haven’t yet donated, we know who you are and where you live) and arranging the thanks to all you kind and generous people. Her siblings are sent an updated funds spreadsheet daily. She goes to the gym. (She also goes back to the Pinot and fags.)

Meanwhile, Master Mariner and the Ship’s Bimbo drove to Gravesend Sailing Club. We found the town in a bit of a stew as we had left our RNLI banner flying from the forestay at half-mast. Several calls had been made throughout the night to check on the health and whereabouts of various RNLI coxswain and crew. Once matters were sorted, we were kindly taken by launch to collect our trusty scow and then Gannet Ripple made a somewhat undignified and lopsided exit from the water by hoist. (There again, this isn’t the first undignified position she has got into since she started, and that includes the tussle between a willow tree and her mast in which the willow lost.)

Having been delayed by essential centreboard repairs, our only regret is having to accept, reluctantly, a tow on Thursday evening to avoid being sucked back up-river to Richmond on a surging flood tide. We had to make Cadogan Pier that night or our entire tidal schedule would have been scuppered. Failure to catch the tide and the broken centreboard were potential showstoppers.

England in June, a glorious river, the kindness of strangers, perfect company and an adorable little boat. A lot of sweat, remarkably little blood and absolutely no family feuds. As Gannet Ripple would say, if she could speak: “Who needs abroad?”