Susan Holifield

A beat in 12 to 18 knots of wind and summer sun resulted in a lively sail to Dartmouth and a glorious entry into this breath taking harbour. We rafted up on the town quay with our friends on Samos and we all had a very good pub meal and a pint.

Left Torquey at 11am and started well with good wind, but as is the theme of the trip, the wind dropped so we had to use the engine for the rest of the passage. We had a nearby rescue of some paddle boarders, so saw the RNLI in action. Arrived in Exmouth marina as a bit of a novelty as the only yacht in. Everyone was very friendly and had an excellent meal cooked by Sue.

Left Weymouth at 5am with a difficult spring of the jetty with yachts 3 deep either side of us. We were very cautious of Portland Bill overfalls, taking the offshore track (but could have taken the inner one). Once round we could sail in the 7 knots of wind with big blue and got some good speed with the tide but eventually the wind dropped and the temperature increased so the engine went on. We had some good wildlife spottings (dolphins and various sea birds). Arriving at Torquay we had a swim and tea and cake floating in the bay to cool off.

We set out with the aim of a 10 mile sail to Lulworth Cove to anchor overnight, but once out of the harbour we found 3m plus swell which was very unpleasant to close haul into. So a unanimous call to return to Weymouth was made. We could have made another attempt later, but we had all settled into a rest day. Sorry no pictures.

Yesterday we had a day of being tourists on the Isle of Wight as summer had finally arrived and the wind had gone. However, today we needed to make progress west so a 6am start to catch the tide resulted in a fantastic sail to Weymouth. 13 knot winds in sun with visit from dolphins and sun fish. We arrived just after 12 and enjoyed lunch aboard, moored in the centre of town while waiting for the bridge to open.

A short sail in a 15 knot SW winds to our jumping off point from the Solent (Yarmouth). We started in a merky day and tacked our way west. We got a berth for a couple of days in Yarmouth and had a lovely sunny evening onboard. The strange wiggle bit on the track is some Man overboard practice.

Left Haslar Marina with 13 knots SW winds so tacked down the Solent to Newton Creek, hoping to stop the night. However, all bouys and anchorage with enough depth of water had been taken so switched to plan B and return to Cowes on a run with wind over tide. It got a bit rolly! The coast guard called us, asking for our help to look for a reported vessel in difficulties, but we could not see one. We got a berth in East Cows and cooked a good meal onboard. In the distance we could see the lights of the Isle of Wight festival.

After a day doing the tourist things in Brighton and a day of cleaning and repairs, our leg 2 crew joined us. After an evening getting them settled in and watching the World Cup, it was time to move on. We had 3 to 5 knots of wind on the nose so motored for all but 40 minutes. This was through fog then rain and finally sun shine. A meal and then a pint in the lightship with Tim and Trevor from Rosabella and then off to bed.