The final day of the trip was in many ways the easiest of the lot. For one thing, these are very familiar waters. And for another, there was almost no wind. We did not even bother to hoist the mainsail, conditions were so calm.

It was simply a matter of motoring along with the autohelm in control, while we reminisced about the high points of the summer and (inevitably) discussed where we would like to go next.

But there’s always something to stop you getting too relaxed and complacent - and this time it was ships. After our trouble-free crossing of the Dover Straits, it was perhaps bound to happen.

As we crossed the entrance to the Queen’s Channel – the principle route into the Thames for ships approaching from the south – there was one ship outward bound and four others coming in from seaward, and it was obvious that one or more of them was going to get in our way.

Furthermore, it looked as if we might have to duck behind the outbound one, and end up having to wait for all four of the inbound ships to pass, which might mean quite a delay.

In fact we could probably have held our course and crossed safely ahead of the outbound one, but we’ve always taken the view with ships that it’s better to be safe than (very) sorry, so we altered course and crossed behind him.

Fortunately the inbound ships were all picking up pilots, which slowed them down, so their “elephants holding each others’ tails with their trunks” formation was broken up. Two passed a safe distance ahead of us and the other two astern.

Apart from that the main interest of the trip was seeing how the offshore windfarms are developing. The Thanet farm, off North Foreland, was only stumps last time we saw it – but now these foundations are topped with revolving turbines.

Meanwhile, the London Array, on the Long Sand, on which work was just starting as we left, has reached the “stump” stage. We’re a bit split on the windfarm issue. Obviously renewable energy is a good thing, and we’d sooner see turbines on offshore sandbanks than on otherwise unspoilt Scottish hillsides.

But we do hope that once these structures have reached the end of their useful life, the sites will be cleared again, and they will not be left as rusting eyesores for ever.

There is an argument that, far  from unacceptable hazards to navigation, the windfarms provide useful markers, to help yachts and ships find their way through the treacherous sandbanks of the Thames Estuary, but in fact there are so many turbines, they probably only increase the potential for confusion. Anyway, it gave us something else to talk about, as we chugged our way across.

Far from feeling disappointed to be home, there is always a sense of achievement as we reach the entrance to the River Orwell, at the end of a cruise. We’ve met lots of new challenges during the summer, survived them all, and got home safely.

As we motored into Suffolk Yacht Harbour we were met with a chorus of hooters from friends’ boats, welcoming us home, and an invitation to share a celebratory drink. What a delightful ending to an absolutely great summer. We’re glad to be home!

Today’s miles: 40.2    Total: 2535.7