Peter Mann

A flat calm sea and warm until we got to Dover where we hit dense fog with the least visibility of 0.9 fathoms. No Ferries or Dover Port could be seen visibly. We then hit more dense fog just past Dungeoness and then the tide turned and the wind strengthened to 18-20 knots and the sea state became moderate with 2-3 metre waves and the wind bang on the nose. More hazardous with Fishing Pot Alley for miles on the approach to Sovereign Harbour, with 5 pots just outside near the safe watermark. However, a superb helpful Lockmaster in Sovereign Marina made the locking in great after such a gruesome trip after Dover

Wow, after a very wet soaking yesterday this morning started off sunny and warm. We left our berth in Dover and under Port instructions headed to the inner wall of the East Entrance, then given instruction to leave, closely followed by the Pride of 🇫🇷 France. A calm sea and warm. Both sails out and motor sailed close in as the tide against us. Sailed past Ramsgate and Broadstairs. Out to the Windfarm and through Foulgers Gat. The wind picking up bit by bit but a nice F3-4 and slight sea state. Into Felixstowe and down the River Orwell for low tide and berthed up in our home Port. A good day ⛵️ on the water but the last day of our Summer holiday sadly.

Into the Lock at 08:20 for the 08:30 lock. Out at 08:45 and into low tide with 0.0 under the keel. Calm but once out the wind picked up to 10-12 knots. With the wind in the NW and W it was behind so a full Genoa was deployed. But it rained and rained and rained some more and indeed for the entire journey. The wind forecast was F3-4 but it was blowing 20-23 knots from Rye Bay all the way to Dover. Boats were being blown past the Western Entrance due to the strong tide and 20-23 knot wind. Into the fuel berth and that took 45 minutes as no self service and form Filling to do. Then into the New Marina and a nice berth. Now to dry off 🤞