Poked our nose out...

...and decided the pub looked a better option...  

...can you blame us? 😁

A cut to the bone Jolly Boys team convened at Rod's gaff for an 0915 depart, with only three of us present for todays trip (Smiffy was in the Big Apple, and t'other Dave was otherwise engaged) - forecasts were not brilliant but needs must and we were expecting grey skies, a slight chance of rain, F4 in the morning building in the afternoon, SW'ly and a slight chance of rain.. 

What we got once we'd left the harbour (and we'd already out double reefs in as we could see it was more than expected) was F5 gusting 6, WSW, with drifting rain, and occasional F7 blasts.. the target for the day was Marchwood, which is at the top of Southampton Water, but given that it was already half 10 as we exited the harbour, and with that wind direction, our destination was a loooooong beat away, we bailed...

Sometimes you just have to accept that you aren't Transatlantic sailors, you are out there to enjoy yourselves, and if the weather doesn't play ball, you go to the pub...

Rodders has just heard that there's Haddock and chips on the 'specials' board at the pub..

PS. By the by, it was stupidly busy out there for such a hideous day- every man and his dog seemed to be out, but then we realised that it was the Round the Island (as in Isle of Wight) race the next day and most of these boats would have been heading for marinas in Cowes so as to be ready for the start the next day... true enough - this was the start line this morning!

Log:

Distance: 8.0 (cumulative total in the mileage tab at the top)
Wind (Speed; Direction): F5 gusting F6 (occasional F7) ; WSW
Sail Plan: Double reefed main / reefed jib
Speed (Max/average in knots): 6.8 / 3.9