Paul Le Page

Constant struggle against the tide! Nice breeze in the Solent. Some docking practice at the harbourmaster’s pontoon to pick up a fuel key

Quick cruise with Vicky’s mum aboard. Just the Genoa up for simplicity, nice F3-5. Got back on the mooring for coffee early as the Easterly wind was pushing us onto the bank

Gentle cruise in the harbour with just the Genoa up, still a decent breeze in excess of F4 for some of it!

Out to Winner cardinal and back. Strong gusts in the harbour, F4 at fairway beacon and F5 at Winner. Boat much better behaved with reefs in the main and jib.

One week of boat ownership and what an adventure! This was our first ever sailing trip just the two of us! Many lessons learnt already in one week of boat ownership (plastic plates can break if they fly out of a locker in a Force 5! Vicky’s not keen on F5 helming!) but also many things to be proud of: getting better at flaking the main sail (getting much neater!), and our first trip out just the two of us today- no fallings out (personally and literally!), navigation through the Solent, collecting the mooring bouy (first time!)…. Lovely to wave our neighbours “Helen” heading off on the voyage as we were coming into the harbour ❤️ Here’s to more adventures! (And much more learning!!)