Guiding Star is looking better than ever because of all the crew who came and helped to sand, scrape, paint and varnish. We managed every job on the list including stripping and varnishing the skylight and glossing the covering board. I’m very grateful to Peter, Paul and both Chrises for all the time they gave to the boat.

The weather was wet and cold for the first few days but then a high pressure system settled in and we worked in warm sunshine for day after day. Peter blew up his paddle board one golden evening and I did my early-morning yoga.

The Coronation fell in those first, wet days. I had thought of watching some of it in the marina wash block where the television on the wall is always tuned to the BBC News Channel. I caught ten minutes but nobody else seemed bothered and I didn’t want to leave Peter sanding on his own.

Graham, the professional shipwright who looks after Guiding Star, refurbished the main and lazarette hatches and fitted the main hatch on runners to make it easier to close and lock. He also repaired some stanchions which were showing signs of age.

We relaunched on a Wednesday afternoon high water and set off the next morning for the Looe Lugger Regatta, just in time.