The gravel bank  off Deben Yacht Club at low water

Each time I see the exposed bank - there is a curlew feeding there.  A question. Is it the same curlew every time?

Today - another hot and sunny time spent messing about in boats - not much sign of boredom,

Loder's Cut at half tide - the marshes are full of birds feeding on the goodies there.

Another fine day on the river - sunshine and a modest wind upstream - and an afternoon tide. The afternoon tide  is one of the highest of the year - and low water in the evening reaches chart datum according to my tide tables. Thus the tidal flow was more than usual - both ebb and flood and the marshes were all covered on my return making the rive look very wide - more like a lake.
Anchored a couple of miles downstream - at the Tips - for lunch and generally took it easy.

Across Loder's Cut - at high water - spring tide. You would not know that there are salt marshes a few cms under the surface - many-a-visitor has found out the hard way.

Another day on the river in the sunshine. Drank tea at the sailing club - lunch at anchor - coffee on the way back. It was a 'shake-down' - I tried out some new kit. Tomorrow - more of the same - different kit to try and the tide an hour later.

Just after high tide through Loder's Cut - you can only identify the Cut by a few sticks in the mud as the salt marshes are almost covered at high water - and completely covered at high water springs (Later this week).

I was going to write a diatribe about how rehabilitation is needed after health scares and set backs. But I thought this a better way to show that I am gradually getting more active. The fine weather encouraged a gentle expedition down the river for a couple of hours, punctuated by stops for coffee and then lunch. I intend to repeat the treatment whilst the good weather lasts - I may even pull up all the sails one day - if there is enough wind.

A snapdragon 24

I was tempted by this as it has standing head room and a loo. But it also needs more work than I have time or energy or money for doing. So I wisely and prudently decided not to go ahead.

This encapsulates what I have been doing for a few days - I crawled over it and made a long list - walked around and did worrying - as you do.

The anti-coagulant seems to be working - I am less breathless - but still feeling a bit feeble - too feeble to avoid temptation of exploring a boat.

egret

This one hangs out on the salt marsh next to the marina and is easily disturbed - I was hiding behind an old boat.

 

Lookfar on the Deben Yacht Club pontoons - moored to have lunch and to take on water.

A happy day - a couple of hours motoring on the river in calm and sunshine and feeling a lot better - barely breathless. I even spotted some egrets on the bank but could not get close incase I went aground.

Prior's Haven, Tynemouth sailing club and the North pier where the race finished. (taken in 2007)

Scammell Dash (a race from Tyne entrance to a yellow bouy off Whtley Bay)This is supposed to be sailed in lots of wind with lots of drama - or at least some fog!

It went ahead in light airs, with 9 boats. It was won by Jeremy Whiting sailing single handed in an Enterprise. The race was run by Neal Piper on the water. Sara and the kids finished boats from the pier between the four poles (to the right of the picture) and a buoy, but without a hooter - needing lots of loud cheers instead. I hate to think what the various fishermen and walkers made of it!

I had a bit of a plan to be around for it this year - but recent boring problems put it out of reach - so we can all cross fingers for next year. It would be fun - especially as you named the race after me.

Breathlessness and associated symptoms:

I had a CT scan on Friday. There are small clots in the blood vessels of my lungs which probably account for most of the recent distress and breathlessness. I was told immediately after the scan - and I also have the medication to start treating it (an anti-coagulant called Clexane, which I take for a couple of weeks. It is injected subcutaneously - which I do myself - pretty straightforward I am glad to say). I go to discuss the longer term treatments (if needed) next week.

I have calmed down a bit after this - but not immediately 'cured'.

 

The beach at Dunwich - Tuesday 6th Sept.

Wind, surf and lashing rain - exhilerating.
You can deduce that I have been out and about - with Aidan on Monday and Tuesday - via various tea shops and nice places. But I continue to feel drained and not really very well.

beach, rainbow and cloud; Shingle Street Monday 5th Sept

Another good beach and over-arching weather. A metaphor for my life.

Autumn fruits

Sadly they do not taste as good as they look. Probably the dry spring followed by wet summer.

The breathlessness and associated feelings continue to mar my life. I am trying to think of ways to rest more thoroughly so that I do not get screamingly frustrated when I cannot get things done.
And I am ever-grateful to you all for reading this and for the comments - they really do help. XX

Beach with tractor and a boat at Aldeburgh

Another excellent beach - and a town attached. I spent the afternoon there on Wednesday - good ice cream and coffee in the beach gardens. They really do launch fishing boats off the gravel beach.