A weekend on the Scottish Riviera

We've just had the most marvellous weekend. Not only did we receive a visit from a dear friend from childhood days and have incredible weather for the duration, but the sailing was absolutely first rate.
We got out for the first sail of the season last Sunday, when it was blowing pretty hard. Tried out the new mainsail and jib, and the improved reefing setup (will put a photo or two up of that when I remember to take the camera and snap them). That was good, but it was still more business than pleasure.
This weekend was just the reverse. Friday was a super day down at the harbour. No wind in the morning, so we pottered around on the boat, finished setting up the reefing lines on the mainsail and enjoyed some pontoon chat and cups of tea with friends following the same sort of programme. As the breeze came up a bit in the afternoon, we got out for a bit of a sail and tried out the new genoa. New sails = brilliant!
Yesterday, we made our way down to the harbour late afternoon, intending to go out for an hour or two before meeting friends in town. When we arrived, however, we were met with a proposal to form part of a spontaneous 'sail in company' across the firth to Aberdour, where the tide would be favourable to tie up, have a pint ashore, and then return. So we did, and had an absolute blast. Sadly we were back too late to meet the friends in town, but hey.
Today the weather came up trumps once more and we were able to grant Andrew's wish to sail under the Rail Bridge in fine style.
Cracking!

Further progress towards the first sail of the season

We've been toiling away the last 4 or 5 weekends since launch day and have made steady progress on the list of jobs outstanding before we can actually get back to sailing. The freshly painted mast was put back up last Monday afternoon. Brightwork is nearly completed. The new waterproof (and yet easy to remove) system for fixing the cockpit seat gratings is likewise almost finished. Most of the engine maintenance is done. You get the idea.
I've ordered up some tufnol (Bakelite) for making mounting plates to mount the new rope clutch cleats on the boom and thereby revamp the reefing system.
Still need to get the compression latches for the cockpit sole hatch.
Still need to take out the remains of the old wind/speed/depth instrument system and put in the new.
And then! Oh yes, the new sails will come out of their bags for the first time.