Christmas Sailing
One of the joys of sailing in the Chesapeake Bay Area is that there are few times during the year when you can’t sail. Hence, sailing on Christmas Day has been something I’ve done almost as long as I’ve owned a boat. This year, I was a day off. Christmas Day, high gusts were expected. Since my passengers were going to be my young granddaughters, I chose to wait a day.
I’ve missed this. Between my husband’s cancer, engine issues, and wonky weather, I’ve sailed this year less than any year except last.
Winds are perfect, about 10-12 it’s. Temperature, with wind chill, is chilly, but not unbearable. I’m listening to my podcasts, which I never seem to have the time to catch up with. But they’re just background noise; I’m not paying really close attention.
I’ve brought some of my instruments along, but haven’t broken them out yet. Problem is that this chilly weather will make it hard to keep them in tune.
So I listen to my podcasts, the engine, the water lapping against the boat. And sometimes I turn off everything electomechanical and just listen to the water.
It’s calming. I’m hoping I will leave, as I have so many times before, better to handle the stresses onshore.