Michelle Frieda

Last leg from Ramsgate to Gillingham. Easterlies were creating v big swell, not easy to sail with wind on stern as swell throwing the boat around. Motoring to assist us to get back to mooring before wind really kicked up.

In the 6.30am lock in Eastbourne for early start. Watched v large traditional vessel manoeuvring in the lock with great skill. Not much wind (again) so motorsailed all the way with sea like glass. After St Margaret's bay the wind picked up so had to reef the genoa to keep Twiggy happy. Moored up next to smaller vessel but v tight squeeze. Off for dinner in Ramsgate to our fave rest/cafe.

Decent breeze as we left Cowes to help against tide, through Looe channel without any probs, but breeze was relatively short-lived amd resorted to motorsailing. Blue skies, started chilly but hiding under shade cover most of the day as became warmer. Into Eastbourne and berthed stern to.

Set off from Weymouth not much wind so motorsailed most of way. Managed to avoid being caught in any rain showers. As we were heading for Cowes spotted an Imoca on training. Rafted up at Folly point, enjoyed the spectacular sunset

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.

Dolphins! Started in grey skies, v lumpy sea outside harbour entrance. Continued away from peninsular but sea state become worse big rollers not much wind, not great visibility and decided rather than attempting Portland Bill to have a good sail along the coast with much calmer sea state. Saw plenty of dolphins. Put into Teignmouth, went ashore for some lunch then took dinghy over to other side of river for walk and drink overlooking river. Rain overnight!

Hardly any wind so motored most of way. Sea state v calm. Motored up to Dittisham and hung off a buoy for lunch. Went ashore for a quick stroll and Twiggy break then headed back down the river

Northerly gusting 24 knots so reef in to keep Twiggy happy and up to 8.5 kn OG. Boat that followed us out of Fowey had a couple on who crewed on Meandro to Azores and back. After couple of hours wind calmed down so reef out and gentle sail wind on the beam into the River Yealm. V busy but picked up visitor buoy. Stunning river

Champagne sailing all the way - decent breeze on the beam, calm seas, one tack - as good as it gets.