Paul Merriman

A beautiful start to the day in East Cowes. Woken by a dawn chorus of gulls at 0500 and flat water with no wind. Fell asleep again but up at 0700. Forecast was SW light winds building during the day but the wind picked up in the morning so we were more optimistic as we headed out. Left the pontoon downstream into tide using a text book rear spring keeping well clear of the large boat ahead of us. Decided to work with the tide and headed East in winds around 10kts but round Bramble and down the North channel. Lovely sailing with the wind behind us then on a beam reach down to Ryde. Decided it was too far to make the forts and get back for 1800 so after dodging the ferries we headed back to a busy Osborne Bay. Wind was picking up and gusting 20kts so into Osborne Bay to let a large container ship pass and put a reef in the sail before heading back to Hamble. Saw 8.3kt SOG on way back even with a reefed main and jib but probably 1-2kts of tide helping. As we’d had a fast run back went a little way up Southampton water to see the LPG tankers before heading in. Came in at high tide and finished with a satisfying two handed docking in the berth. Hats off to the PL training - it’s paying off!

A two handed mid-week trip with ‘Stan’. Picked the boat up Just before 6pm and headed out to get to Cowes for the evening. Wind was against us so ended up motoring over. The medina was busy but found an outside pontoon berth at East Cowes between two other boats. The Helen McArthur Cancer Trust were there in force with a group of kids for the week and Rona II also in a berth with a group of guests. Great to see sailing making such a meaningful impact on young lives.

NE F4, slight seas, cold but sunny. Tide to west so a battle getting back!