Apart from that there was not much to report untilwe arrived at Eastbourne where we joined the queue for the loch which opened every half hour. There were about ten boats "jilling about" when a boat behind us said he couldn't stop because he had lost his engine. Luckily the lifeboat was just discharging it's crew to a rubber boat and were able to take him into the loch safely.
The marina was enormous, not what we have been used to, with shops a plenty and even a cinema.
Next day we set off for Portsmouth on a lovely sunny day with a gentle breeze for once behind us. We put up the cruising chute and gently sailed for about four hours before having to fire up the faithfull Yanma to make a sensible time and get in before dark. Entering the solent we realised how busy the south coast is, hpassing the Queen Mary ii and two other cruise ships leaving. Coming through the narrow channel into Haslar Marina there were boats everywhere.
This morning we were joined for our penultimate sail by Olly and Marin who came up on the train. They enjoyed perhaps the best sailing of the who;e trip, with a cracking force 5 easterly down the solent. As it was the start of Cowes week we had to sail through hundreds, perhaps a thousand, boats starting their races up the solent. Pretty lively.
We decided to sail into the Beaulieu river and up to Bucklers Hard where we werejoined first by Melissa and Skipp, then by our friend Robin Long bearing a bottle of champers, which we followed by a meal in the Master Builder pub with Olly and family.
They have all now left to go home so we will sail the last leg hopefully tomorrow back towards Poole. We anticipate arriving around lunch time.
Well done on your safe arrival back home. Have enjoyed following your adventures. Enjoy the celebrations and being back in your own bed again! Zzzzz xx Maria, Chris and family xxx
ReplyDelete