Michael Lithgow

Sail back opposite to sail out! Started gently but by mid morning SW increased to 22kts. Fast crossing but nightmare coming in via Needles Channel before tide had turned. Wind now 30kts. Glad when we got past the bridge. Should have waited or used N Channel.

An early start - 0330 reveille. Departed Hamble 0400 and arrived in Cherbourg at 2030 UK time. No wind so motor all of the way but sun shone. Practiced sun run sun sights with sextant. How accurate? Well it did place us correctly in the English Channel.

A quiet night on the Beaulieu moored up on the mid river pontoon. After breakfast of hot cross buns and a kettle to fill the toilet which had the in take blocked we left on the ebb tide. An uneventful but pleasant trip back to Mercury Marina. Now for the clean up of the boat.

A cold wind on the Dan Bran to wake up to. Put on multiple layers of clothing. Once we were out of the river despite a strong breeze of 18kts it was a pleasant sail with one reef in the main and a full foresail. Two tacks and we set off the Hamble entrance. Slightly chaotic berthing at Gins which was not the fault of Harry. Needed to raft up on mid river pontoon and take the launch ashore for an outstanding carvery.

Weather forecast was accurate. Wind 25kts and steady wind 22 kts. Battled to get out of Southampton Water but then a broad reach with two reefs in the main all the way down to Lymington. Whilst we berthed with ease it turned chaotic as we had to move boats and position to fit in a catamaran that was not being well handled!

Cold morning with an Easterly wind. Left in about 12th, which rose to 16kts. 1st reef put in and then 2nd as it rose to 18-20kts. Just off Newtown creek wind dropped and reefs came out. But first 1.5hrs was exciting with wind against tide. End of sail was very gentle - almost no wind and the sun was shining brightly.

Left Portsmouth at 1100. Spent time putting up new cruising chute. Lots of problems! First head attached clew then put spinner on clew rather than head and finally got twist in sail taking it down. By now we were in the busy shipping lane for Southampton. Gave up on cruising chute and had a lovey down wind sail to Lymington. Drink in the Mayflower and super at the Royal Lymington.

Run in the morning towards Beaulieu village. Departed about 12:00 hours. As we passed Post 14 and 16 on the port side to, we noticed one of the Army Yacht’s ground. We decided to try and tow them off. We reversed up to the boat, took their line and motored forward. Despite full power for a number of minutes, we were unable to release the boat and have to leave it. We had contacted NCI to let them know what was happening but there was not much more we could do. It was likely that they were going to be stuck there for the next 4 to 5 hours. Having left the Beaulieu river, we sailed past Cowes and as the wind dropped motored the rest of the way towards Portsmouth. We came alongside around 1700 almost 0 wind and lovely sunshine. We tidied up the boat and a glass of wine or two or three and finished with a lovely evening meal of sausages and lentils. A great days sail.

Left Hamble at 1230 near bottom of tide. Light winds in Solent but managed to sail the short distance to Beaulieu entrance. We were at low tide and with .6m LAT above bar we hung around for 30 mins to make sure we had rise of tide to come up the river. Supper on board with some very nice white wine Michael had brought with him.

Woke up to foghorns in the Solent. In a strange way was quite relaxing. It also made a decision for me to- leave later rather than earlier. Had to time arrival back at Hamble at bottom of tide otherwise berthing down tide was going to be challenging as we are just about on springs. Lovely sail back. Will overnight to clean up boat.