We arrived into the UK to be assaulted by green. Derbyshire, Northumberland, Sussex. It appeared the whole of England was a million different colours of green. We haven’t been in the UK in May for years now and I think we had both forgotten how truely stunning the British countryside is in spring.

As is our wont when we return to the UK, there’s always a bit of initial charging around the country to catch up with friends and family. A couple of nights with an international cast of sailing friends went down well followed by a Paddleboard day on the river Hamble as we tagged along for the annual river raid. Paddling up river on the incoming tide and a following wind was enjoyable. We passed the mooring where we kept our previous boat Heather, a Wauquiez Centurion 32. A speedy looking trimaran sat in her old space.

Coming back was much harder as the tide hadn’t quite turned and the wind had perked up. Still a hog roast was waiting in a tent at the finish and this provided me with impetus to dig in and get home. The sun shone and we stayed dry. Bonus. The pork sandwiches, with all the trimmings of course, were excellent.

We spent a sunny Sunday walking around Youlgrave, Over Haddon and Lathkill Dale in Derbyshire. The views stretched far, the limestone gorges held clear stream water and the villages buzzed with people out enjoying the sunshine. I do like this area. There’s lots to like.

Now it’s work time. Although not exclusively. Wouldn’t want that. We need to be out of New Zealand for six months for visa reasons. Grace is in Lyttelton. She’ll be just fine there.