Winding Down and a Warm Winchester Homecoming

We scrapped plans to go for a run this morning as there was much to do before Katie and James were to retrieve us around 2 pm. It was a gorgeous morning and it began by hauling Harry half-way up the mast to replace bird spikes on the spreaders that had fallen off (keeps the cormorants from perching and pooping), then we cleaned the brown stain off the starboard side of the hull, cleaned below decks and then topsides.  Around 1 pm, Harry transported two dinghy trips worth of stuff to shore to take home which Katie and James loaded into the van when they arrived at the boatyard around 2:20 pm. By 3:00 pm, we had the van packed and headed home where we enjoyed a very special homecoming dinner prepared by Katie and James of grilled halibut carbonate, rice and a salted caramel chocolate cake for dessert.  The wonderful meal was followed with us opening birthday presents given to us from our lovely daughters as we Skyped Sally in so she could take part in the occasion virtually. We both were very touched by their thoughtfulness and were grateful to Katie and James for taking such good care of the house and yard while we were away as we couldn’t have done it without them.