Finally, a windy day! Left Portsmouth at 1100 and motored to Gilkicker Point. There was a good SW breeze, so the first reef went in the main. Then the wind began to falter and I considered shaking out the reef, but by 1400 the wind was well established and by Cowes it was up to Force 5 (17 – 21 knots). Short, steep seas (the tide was ebbing so wind over tide) made for a lively sail, but Chione handled well with only the odd burst of spray over the deck. The highest gust noted on the anemometer was 26 knots – towards the top end of Force 6. A good close-hauled port tack got me into Stanswood Bay before tacking towards Gurnard. By now the tide was ebbing hard and three more tacks got me to the starting platform at the entrance to the Lymington River.
Motoring into Lymington:
Looking down river with the Isle of Wight in the distance:
Moored in Lymington Yacht Haven – one of my favourite marinas to visit, although expensive!
Lymington main street at night:
1 Aug – Leaving the Yacht Haven at 0830. A glorious morning and quiet on the water. Not much wind!
The grey gaffer is Hester – OGA No 2978, designed by Roger Dongray. A great looking gaffer!
Looking across the Solent to Yarmouth. Yachts moored on the left are at the entrance to Pylewell Lake. I like the way the navigation marks draw the eye across the Solent:
Another day of light and variable wind, so drifted and sailed up the Solent, arriving back in Portsmouth Harbour at about 1400. The following photo is taken from the Small Boat Channel looking across at Spice Island and the Still and West public houses. Gunwharf Quays (formerly HMS Vernon) is to the far left:
ChioneT.uk 