We were up early and hopeful for our day of sailing! The wind had other ideas! We met the amazing Klaus (Russ’ work colleague) in the Swanage Sailing Club car park, and he is such a laid back, kind man – we felt very lucky to have been invited for the day. We donned all the wet and warm, all weather gear that Klaus had to hand and off we went! Sailing winds are ideally a 3 or a 4 the expert said…they were currently sitting at a 6 or a 7 he said again. Was he sure?…we asked. He uses 3 apps and a wind measurement from the end of the pier…yes, he said. Smiles dropped. Faces downcast. Mood was bleak…BUT, (super Klaus went on!)…I could take the boys out one at a time in a smaller boat, just here infront of the club, to give them an idea of what sailing is like? Thank you so much Klaus!

Then Nate needed a wee…SO. MANY. LAYERS! Daddy worked hard! Then it was Mummy & Daddy’s turns out at sea!

Then it was time for an ice cream! Mummy & Daddy tried bubble waffle ice creams…they were amazing! The boys had ‘normal’ ice creams…and wished they’d had bubble ones. Klaus had a black coffee…his non-existent ello der thanked him. Ell sat and contemplated life for a while, as Automatts discussed work after not having worked together for almost a year. Then Klaus had to race off and be superman at home as their electricity had died! Thank you for an amazing morning sailing!

We then popped along past Swanage Harbour to Durlston Castle and grounds. We walked for a good 40 minutes trying to find the kids play area, which turned out to be a series of random wooden equipments, which were dotted along one of the main walking paths…the last one we checked! Before we found these, however, we found a great tourist info building, a fabulous local Durlston nature gallery and video and Nate managed to rip his knee apart of a rusty nail in a kids climbing whelk. We informed a Durlston worker who said ‘Oh! Yes! That one does keep popping out of place!’ And off he went to complete what can only be assumed will be another bodged repair.