Well, I think I've been out over this gorgeous summer about once a fortnight on average and I'm pleased to say apart from a few gremlins everything has been pretty much on the button.
We did indeed sail to Studland and watched a few of the aircraft at the Bournemouth show, but it was a bit hazy, but the smoke from the tails of the aircraft could still be seen as could some of the noise. From Studland, we sailed round to Portland where my water tanks were filled before setting off across Lyme Bay. The wind was pretty reasonable and we sailed close inshore but skip had timed it right again and the race was off to the east. The wind eventually dropped and despite waiting to see if it returned a decision to run the donk was made and get in before darkness fell. At least a Sunfish was spotted, skip likes to see marine life whilst out.
We seemed to upset some fishermen whilst on route, why I don't know? Think that they feel they're the only ones that should be out there or the line of pots that they were working on could've got snagged on my keel, or worse prop. Or of course, they were French and pinching some British Scallops! Lyme Bay usually means a stopover at Babbacombe Bay but on this occasion, Brixham harbour was chosen and so we anchored just within the protection of the harbour wall but on the opposite side close to the research centre. A very quiet night was had by all.
With the wind picking up again, we made good progress and rather than stay two nights in Sutton Harbour Marina we headed over to Cawsand, dropping my sails as we approached. The wind was from the North and as such meant that the anchorage would've been open although under the cliff the wind might have taken some deflection. However, a few boats were on the other side, which was more open in terms of hills rather than cliffs but offered some protection from the wind. If Brixham was a 1 then this was a 9 at least there was no swell to add to the pitching.
With just the jib out it only took a couple of hours to reach the lock, which was in a free flow state. That is the tide is such that the lock doesn't need to operate and the keeper just manages the direction of the traffic through. As skip had radioed ahead, the keeper set the light to green for us and we entered and moored up on the far side as we've done before. Now a very funny thing happened. Whilst Skip was ready, he waited outside in the cockpit out of earshot whilst his crewmate listened to the Archers in the saloon. He was spotted by the very person they were meeting as she walked past on her way to the restaurant that had been booked!
In the morning we set off, but not West but back East and with the wind in a reasonable fettle form and we made good progress. The intended destination was for Salcombe but as miles completed were consistently high we pushed on for Dartmouth, although the sea off the coast approaching Salcombe was in a confused state and slowed the passage. There was no way that the wind, that had dropped again, was going to be enough to enable me to cut through the peaked waves and this was probably down to a change in current and reflective waves coming off the headlands. So the donk was once more called upon and remained in use till we moored against the public pontoon on the Western side of the river. A new one on us but very convenient and one to try and use again in future.
With lines tidied, the crew sat down for dinner only for the phone to go. It was Skip's friend JC "You've missed Salcombe!" he said as Skip was trying to provide an explanation JC & Debs popped their heads down the companionway and joined them for the remainder of the evening. They usually meet them at The Cary Arms in Babbacombe Bay but this year this stopover was being missed out, wind and tides wait for no man. Only, unfortunately, there was no wind the following day.
The Iron Sail was once more set by ear around tickover, my rev counter had completely stopped working before this trip and been removed. We passed close by a frigate and noticed not one, two but three more around the periphery. Turned out that the closest one was a Russian ship which had attracted three British escorts keeping a careful eye on activities. In fact, the Lyme Bay gunnery also decided to undertake a live firing practice.
As we approached Portland Bill the wind started to pick up. The two guys Skip had spoken to on Dartmouth on the open 40 race yacht and heading to Cowes for a race the next day hoisted everything they had to make up time and soon disappeared. Skip left the donk on and adjusted the main slightly and left it like that making 7-8.5kts and pulling back the time lost at the start of the day. With light starting to fail we pulled into Portland marina once more and Skip held me broadside to the pontoon in between two boats as the wind blew me straight in. This too wasn't going to be the most peaceful night as the wavelets slapped against my stern and the fenders squeaked as they kept me off the pontoon.
My trip from Portland Marina to Studland
A sail back to Studland saw me in excess of 10.0kts it was during this trip that one of the Frigates probably still shadowing the Russian, opted also to have a live gunnery practice. The quick succession of firing created such a noise and we must have been miles away. Still, Skip did decide to have a chat with them to ensure that our route wasn't in their way and reminded them that my AIS was working.
This was a fast broad reach
The following day we weighed anchor and opted for the North passage as the tide was against us. We went along the coast past Bournemouth beach until the wind angle was such that we veered away. Joined by noisy powerboats out completing a number of laps around the bays, we turned back past The Trap and headed into the Solent and gybed our way back to Cowes. It was good practice for the crew and the speed at which the manoeuvre was completed did not diminish my speed by much.
A good week away and not too much for Skipper to look at when he's time.
