David Rowland

Headed out under grey skies but soon brightened up. had a pod of dolphins with us for a bit. Frustratingly not enough wind for cruising chute so motored most of the way until we had rounded Portland Bill close to shoreline with no real problems. Stopped for fuel at Weymouth intending to anchor in Lulworth cove with predicted W gusts of 24 knots. Headed out but sea state became pretty nasty the closer we got to Lulworth and gusts above 30 - all in the space of about 10 mins. So abandoned the plan but then furling line got jammed as we tried to take genoa in. Had to try to get her nose to wind but waves were too strong and took a lot of engine. Had to take genoa down out of furler slamming into heavy waves, struggled to get it in through the front hatch as it wrapped itself around forestay. Plenty of waves in through the hatch so everything was soaking. Was a long haul back to Wemouth against wind and waves then rafted up and spent the following day getting the furling line and genoa sorted and forecabin cushions dry.

Left under engine and spent the better part of an hour trying to dislodge the main halyard which had become wrapped around the radar reflector. Motorsailed for most of the trip with v little breeze. After the Manacles took sails down as lack of any wind. Dropped anchor in the bay then took Twigs for a walk. Still v hot on land, glad we had the breeze at sea to keep us a little cooler.