Michael Lithgow

Left Weymouth at 1015. Little tricky with raft of 3 behind and 4 in front. Caught the tide up the Portland Peninsula and went round the bill just as it was turning. Had tide all the way to Torquay. Very hot day and no wind. So motor on for the full trip most of which was on a course of 265! As we neared Torbay we were greeted with a family of dolphins - two babies and two adults. A great welcome to the West Country.

Quite a mixed day. 18kts in Yarmouth harbour made for an exciting departure. Then no wind through the Needles made it idyllic. But by the end of Poole Bat back to 18-20kts. Had to dodge Lulworth range area and having departed at 0915 we were tied up in Weymouth by 1700. A few glasses of rose and then a BBQ on the boat.

Bit of dithering g on whether to leave today or tomorrow. Wind was okay but gusts quite strong. In the end we left at 1200. Gillian was a bit nervous. First sail of the season. But with a reef in the mai we had a great sail down to Yarmouth. Coming alongside was tricky with strong northerly blowing us off and Gillian’s lassoing skills needed a bit of work. However tender was on hand to push us in. Now have glass of rose in hand.

Great sailing conditions. Got cruising chute up and more importantly was able to furl! Last time it had to go back to North Sails. However heavy weather yesterday resulted in the pin that held the vang to the bottom of the mast shearing.

A breezy sail in 19-22kts gusting 27kts. Two Reefs in main.

Wind 22kts+kts. Sailed out towards forts from Portsmouth with 2 reefs, tacked and sailed down the North Channel. Tricky berthing. But in safely after second attempt.

We waited till the afternoon when the wind dropped to 20kts. Arrival at Gun Wharf Quay was exciting. So much so we went in and then back out of Marina whilst half a dozen people grabbed with bringing alongside a 45ft boat. When we did come in we had wind and tide throwing us across the harbour. But parked safely which got a round of applause.

A lovely sail. Seems months since I had a perfect sailing day. Either too much wind and having to reef or too little and motor. A gentle run down the Solent with a strong tide behind.

Winds constant 22kts+ with sustained gusts of 28kts. Beating down the Solent with 2 reefs and half jib. Until …… Shackle sheared on self taking jib. Had to wrestle with sail to tie up and then motored rest of way to Lymington. Lymington Harbour launch assisted with berthing given strong wind pushing us off pontoon. Dinner at RLymYC.

Bit windy but quite a nice sail to Beaulieu. Waited around at Cowes Week Racing Buoy to collect rest of ICOYC rally group to escort over bar and up to Bucklers Hard.