Chris Southwell

The second half of the return from the Dart was very different, as expected from the strong winds forecast. Wind SW 20 to 27 kts forecast and that seems to have been what happened. I started with a double reefed main and reefed Genoa, but furled the Genoa early on as the main was quite enough on the run / broad reach home. Getting through the channel into the Exe was ‘sporting’, with a few surfable waves till I reached the relative protection of Pole Sand. Plenty of foiling watercraft in the channel made it more interesting. Then the peace of the Salmon Pool moorings to contrast. A good day.

7.15 start knowing that conditions were forecast to worsen later. A very smooth and easy passage to Anstey’s, arriving at 11. Then a couple of hours for lunch and to wait for the tide at the Exe.

A slow start in light SE winds but winds picked up a bit to give a lovely sail. One long fetch as the tide helped me past the Ore Stone and Berry Head. Clouds lifted to give a bright afternoon.

Wind from due west so almost a dead run back. Quite rolly and the Genoa was hard to keep drawing so we settled for main only.

A lovely day but no wind on the course so we motored all the way. But it’s lovely and windy in Fowey harbour!

We left Brixham in almost calm so had to motor round St Mary’s head. Then perfect sailing conditions to the Start, with a lovely SSW force 2. At the Start the wind freshened to 4/5 from the west so we had white horses to the Prawle. It seemed a good time to motor in the last bit. A lovely sail in great weather.

Better wind than I expected so my early start was a disadvantage in the end, as I ran out of water off Starcross pier. But a lovely sail home.

Light and variable to start with, then by 11 am settling into a SSE force 2, rising to force 4 SSW shortly after. So a slow first half and then a lovely quick beat to the Dart. As I went southwards past the Ore Stone, Tela was sailing north on her final leg back from the Outer Hebrides.

All smooth. Lovely NE if a bit gusty.