Southampton boat show

Today,  a day off in Gosport,  we trogged all the way to the Southampton boat show in what was a round trip of 4 hours by ferry train and foot. Was it worth it?  Yes because we love seeing masses of boats on the water, though most of them are too modern or ritzy or just big plastic motor boats. 

The Rustler yachts were our favourites. They are solid, beautifully  built boats with a pedigree, that cost an arm and several legs.

We walked miles. Lesley bought a couple of bargains in the sailing clothes line (not a clothes line).

Nic bought a £1 emergency hat as the sun was strong. A little later we were greeted with free prosecco, canapés and - a free peaked cap at the Swallow  yacht stand. It was their press launch and they were being generous... No he didn't take the emergency hat back. 

It's fascinating to see the types of show goer. Many grey bearded chaps haggling over buying ropes, smooth guys with immaculately coiffed wives looking at motor boats costing half a mill and scruffs like us coasting around for fun.

Back at the boat. Having supper at the Pump House nearby and can't wait. 

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Fair wind, foul tide

Another early start,  another glorious dawn. We left Yarmouth at 6.30 with Nic at the helm as a giant Wight ferry and a small Scoot ferry threatened to make us into a yacht sandwich. We escaped unhurt. 

The winds were forecast to be force 4 to 6 from dead ahead. We had all our wet weather gear on. What happened was a beautiful Solent sailing breeze of 10 to 15 knots. Rather than plug through with the motor on,  we took the slow road by tacking, zig zagging under sail across the waters which are busy with tankers, hovercraft, yachts and yes, ferries. The photo shows Nic avoiding a large container ship.

It was a fine sail. By twelve, we arrived back at Royal Clarence  marina in Gosport and slid into a berth to stay here for the next few weeks. 

After hosing down our gear,  the boat and our boots to wash off the salt, it was down to the charming Pump House cafe for tea and cake. More jobs and then a meal cobbled  together of odd leftovers. And dark. And bed. 

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Yarmouth 9 Sep

Rest day in pretty Yarmouth. First shower since France. The showers are really good in Yarmouth. The Army provided much entertainment by loading various vehicles onto a landing craft without sides. They did this very slowly with much signalling. Finally they set off into the tide and wind - the helmsman at the back could not see past the vehicles so another Marine stood on top of a truck and gave yet more hand signals. We had a great view from the pier which is small and v old fashioned. 

Some mooching in shops, a sortie into the hinterland which showed that 50yds from the Square is as far as you need to go. Impulse purchase of hand thrown pork pie and back to the boat to pig out  (pun intended). Yachts come and go in Yarmouth almost continuously, no wonder they have berthing masters in dinghies (who are reliably cheery and helpful). Always something to watch. 

We decided next stop is back to Royal Clarence Marina in Gosport which is only 20 miles down the Solent yet needs passage planning due to strong tides.  Decided an early start with a fair tide is better than a late start with a foul one, plus the forecast F4-6 probably won't have built by then with attendant short chop. So a stir fry on board and early to bed. 

Poole to Yarmouth 8 Sep

(No pics today)

More splendid weather, what a gift this week is, now that we have stopped agonising about whether we can/should head east towards home. Strong easterlies forecast all week have put paid to that.  Woke up on our own off the west end of Brownsea, so peaceful, many others joined us through the morning. 

After an early lunch we motored gently down the Wych Channel and out through the harbour entrance. Had a splendid sail across Poole Bay. Then motored into the Solent and tied up in Yarmouth. Felt pretty tired but decided to hose down the boat because everything very salty. Finished about dinner time so easy decision to walk 150 yds to the Kings Head for fish&chips. 

Perfect day

Woke up after a peaceful night at anchor to a fine fresh morning in Nic 's favourite place on earth. After breakfast we discussed our goal of how to get the boat back home. The weather forecast of strong easterly winds in our teeth means we can't do it this week. Once again we will have to leave her on the south coast. We were disappointed but resigned. 

Meanwhile the beauty of a sunny Studland day was calling to us. We blew up the new dinghy, dropped  it easily into the water and Nic rowed

us into shore. (We had found that the poor old outboard was not working, after 2 years without a service.)

Once  ashore we took our courage in both hands and plunged in for a swim. Well not plunged,  knelt in the three feet of water and splashed happily around. It was bracing.

Next came a walk down the beach to dry off, lunch at the NT cafe and an ice cream. Nic paid homage to the beach hut his family owned for 40 years and we had a chat with the 2 women who use the hut these days. Later we met Des, the maker of kites and his wife Annabelle who are in their 80s and remember Nic and his mum and dad from 50 years ago. 

Nic rowed us back to Sirena IV and we motored gently into Poole Harbour to anchor in the quiet spot off the Potteries. (See pics) A drink in the cockpit as the sun set and a large stir fry ended a truly wonderful Studland day. If we can't get home at least we can enjoy being where we are. 

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Another channel crossing

Came back today because looked like best weather for a calm crossing. Didn't want another rufty-tufty one - leave that to the Fastnet boys. Up at 0430, left just before 0600 as getting light. Half an hour to get out of Cherbourg harbour, inner and outer, including getting full mainsail up. Saw sun rise from the sea as we set our heading for Poole. 

Most of the day was motor sailing using the autopilot to steer our course, so watches (1 hour) were exactly that ... watching for big ships and other boats, buoys and logs. The wind was very light and from ahead.  Managed to slide inbetween the big ships except one that would have been too close for comfort so altered course to let him go first. 

At 1600 the wind settled into West and Force 4, ooh Sirena IV does like 15 knots on the beam! Two hours of blissful sailing as we stood in towards Swanage then Old Harry and finally Studland Bay. The forecast looks ok for anchoring here until tomorrow lunchtime, so here we are.  L went for a swim in the shorty wetsuit we bought recently, just for the hell of it.  Watched the sun set over Middle Beach and cooked a huge stew. 

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Cherbourg alright

We spent Sat 5 Sep in Cherbourg after deciding that moving on to Guernsey was too risky due to a combo of tide timings, shorter daylight and weather forecast. 

Disappointing flea market behind Basilica though we were late. Excellent charity shop. Saw the famous (apparently) parapluie factory- see pic above. Excellent lunch of galettes in cafe with history, only went in to escape the torrential rain. 

In general Cherbourg seems much nicer than our collective vague memories. We would return. 

More agonising over missing Channel Islands but could not make it work at acceptable risk. Planned a return to Poole instead and went to bed early, only to have divers banging against the boat. Got up and swore at them. Fastnet boats tied up all round us,some left in the night. 

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Channel hop

Today,  Friday,  we had a very easy day in Cherbourg. Yesterday was a 16 hour thrash from Royal Clarence marina in Gosport which was meant to be force 4-5 winds and ended up f6-7 with a touch of 8. 

We motorsailed out of Portsmouth and past Bembridge. Away from the Isle of Wight  the wind picked up and we had a wonderful sail  for 5 hours. Then the wind rose and we had to reef. In the end we dropped the fore sail and motorsailed with a double reefed main into F7 in very choppy  steep  waves. We gritted  our  teeth and carried on. Unfortunately we arrived late in the dark and had the rotten job of spotting the entry lights for 3 levels of harbour among the myriad lights of twinkly Cherbourg. It took half an hour to get safely into the marina. But what a relief. We made it, aching  and dog tired.  Here she is. Next stop? Winds and tidal races permitting,  Guernsey.

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