OK. So now I ought to write something sensible. A short introduction to Crystal seems to be the thing, although for background information you're better off checking her website, known by the slightly ridiculous title of Crystal's Web Mooring. You can find out all about her, and those of us who devote time to her.

Crystal is a 1927 gentleman's yacht, for want of a better description. She is yawl-rigged, built to a very well-known and much-admired design and is currently, to the best of my knowledge, the only one in existence. She costs me a great deal of time and money, and I love her very much. That's probably enough to be getting on with.

So, summer 2006 has been rather a failure, with just over a week of oppressive heat and very little more. I feel a lot better about taking the decision to keep Crystal out of the water all summer at a traditional boatbuilder's yard in Suffolk, and even though I've often woken up and thought "Hmmm, would be nice to go sailing," there are no regrets. Really. And for those of my friends who criticised my decision, well, next year, you can spend every minute of the winter with a bit of sandpaper in your hand to make sure she's fit to be seen come summer. I didn't do that, and this is what happens. Come spring 2007, she will look lovely.

More to come. I'm off up to see her on Friday, and will be spending some time at the Woodbridge Heritage Weekend.