After the disappointment of the weather at Easter, my skipper had set his sites on heading to Cherbourg over the May Bank Holiday. According to his studies the weather was looking remarkably favourable,- a north westerly on Saturday blowing me down there, some confusion over Sunday whilst the centre of the pressure zone moved eastward across the UK, which didn't matter as I wasn't going anywhere and then a southerly on Monday blowing me back. Sorted.
So he arrives with provisions a day beforehand and as usual and stows them away. Come 0900 on Saturday a reasonable hour and my crew arrive and get me prepared. The day started promisingly as the sun was out, and although difficult to tell on my berth, but the wind appeared to be more westerly than expected, but that's fine, a close haul up to the Needles and then a beam reach all the way to France, I should get them there quicker than the 10 hours my skipper had envisaged.
On leaving the Medina for the Solent, the wind appeared much stronger than expected, a single reef was left in my main as it went up and I was soon heading across to Beaulieu at good speed. The wind kept rising, 20 gusting 25 knots went up to 25 gusting 30 knots and after a couple of tacks, the second reef was put in and control of the main was returned, the main sheet played to ease out the gusts. My bows by now digging in to the oncoming waves would at least smother the green algae on my decks which would soon disappear from the salt in the water washing over it. Eventually though my crew had had enough, this is not why they were out sailing and so another trip to France was thwarted by the weather and they returned me back to my pontoon.
My skipper radio'd the Harbour Master as we came in to let him know of our return, he came to see us later, apparently the weather deteriorated. A text later and plans were change.
My skipper and crew remained on board Saturday night and then slipped my lines to head to Totland Bay for lunch the following day. The weather couldn't be any different, sunshine, decent winds which brought a good sail up to drop the hook. It was as if we'd put out a board advertising the Totland Bay was now open as boat after boat came in presumably to do the same thing. With only just the jib we made our way over to Lymington and a chance for my crew to re-fill my water tanks and also get a much needed shower in the marina's exquisite facilities.
Monday came and one of my skippers friends turned up with his daughter and so lunch was served under blissful sunshine before they had to disappear, my lines were slipped once more and we headed for home. Not quite the weekend planned, but none the less, out on one of the busiest stretches of water, able to stretch my legs and show that the money spent on my copper bottom was money well spent, as I slipped through the water unhindered by living organisms, cadging a ride.
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