Mark McAlpine

Waited for strong winds in North Sea to subside before leaving on Friday morning. Good sail across North Sea to Dover where easterly tide at 2.5kts made slow going. With strong winds forecasted we pushed on to Eastbourne. With bare poles and under motor we battled through 45kt gusts and big seas to Eastbourne. After getting some sleep we left early to complete the final 11 hours in sunshine arriving Chichester at 6pm. Strongest winds and biggest seas for me and Elfride.

Left Chichester about 8pm raising main in harbour. With little wind motored to Dover doing watches of 3 hours. Very bright moon on first night. leaving Dover about 4pm wind picked up over night to consistent 20-25kts, came down to reef 2 and furled third of head sail, needed to motor last few hours into port due to wind direction. treated to lunar eclipse as we sailed up the canal.