Paul Rogers

Crossing the Thames Estuary route 1, -5h before HW Sheerness. Into Bradwell creek 30 mins before sunset, LW springs. grounded 150 yds from Marina entrance. 90 mins to float off.

Ramsgate Marina great - £22.75 for 23 footer, red diesel £0.90 a litre V rough 2m waves at Eastern entrance on leaving

Dover marina great. Fast setting tide at East entrance on arrival. £145 for 1 week 23ft

First solo sail, delivering my new boat to River Blackwater before Winter weather sets in. Sovereign marina great, lock entrance, pretty expensive £35 1 night 23ft

Thanks Toby, got to admit it was a bit brutal at times. 48hrs hand steering between 2 at 3knots! Also we had full main up for the first leg which was too much. She handled it OK and sea state was too big to reef safely, but huge weather helm! 2nd leg we put the 2nd reef in which made it a little easier, but some slow progress. I did a calculation for rounding lands end but we were still way slower than I expected, so had quite a bit of tide against us for the first 5 hrs. Successful though, 2 lost hats, 1 glove and one main batten. Altogether a good experience! Thanks for putting me in touch.