Time and tide

Sometimes my commitments as freelance writer and father conspire to prevent me sailing. This usually happens when it's gloriously sunny with a mid-afternoon high tide and the promise of a steady sea breeze coming up after lunch. Today is just such a day.

My irksome task is to interview an accountant on the implications to accountancy of NHS reform while far less irksomely amusing my kids who are off school for the Easter holidays.

I recently started reading Swallows and Amazons to them in a bid to induce early onset sailing mania with some promising results in the seven-year-old who now regularly expresses a desire to take to the harbour.

Toying with the idea of taking them both afloat on my own, I lay in bed this morning running a 'what's the worse that can happen' mental algorithm. Coming up with a 'one overboard, one on the boat' Sophie's Choice-type scenario, I quickly abandoned the idea.

So after interviewing the bean counter, I will head off to West Wittering beach, erect our newly acquired shelter and loaf on the sands while watching the hot shots from Hayling Island Sailing Club in what are sure to be perfect sailing conditions.

Meanwhile here's a pic of fellow idle sailor Dave in his Laser.