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HighunDry for Options



         the divers had to fit “mudder” boots to their dry suits. Without them they
         sank into the mud above their knees. Goods, kindly delivered by Val and













         Steve to the dive boat before she left Hull Marina, were loaded onto the
         sled pulled by John, Martin and me across the mud to our boat. The load
         also included a spare dry suit for Alison. She was nervous and understanda-
         bly so after seeing how difficult the transition from shore to inflatable was
         to be. Supported at each shoulder by John and Martin she did eventually
         get  aboard  the  inflatable  and  over  to  the  support  boat.  Anne  Marie
         weighed anchor at 1440hrs to get Alison home. Sheenagh elected to stay
                                           aboard Options with me rather than
                                           take the option to go home. She in-
                                           sisted  we  were  in  this  together  on
                                           our stranded boat. Now with two of
                                           us  aboard,  supplies  would  stretch  -
                                           and we had wine!
                                           Day  #7,  #8  and  #9    Neap tides
         meant no water and  the mud around us dried and  cracked. At least we
         now had enough food and water to see out the wait for spring tides. I went
         for a longer walk to the highest spot on the mud bank. My footprints large
         alongside those of various wild birds including spoonbills. The days were
         spent passing time with various tasks; reading, cooking, all lines, sheets and
         deck cleaned. Sheenagh continued her VHF on line training course and lat-
         er passed the test when we got back to the Marina in Hull. Thankfully cell
         phone  signal  was  good  enough  for  internet  allowing  facetime/zoom/
         YouTube access. The weather had been helpful on the whole, though we
         did pray for more rain feeling a little like Mr. & Mrs. Noah! At late HW on
         Day #9, we measured the depth at 40cm meaning that spring tides were

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