There and back.. and back again..

Too good an opportunity to miss as the wind was still blowing westerly (in fact looking at my log for last year it was doing the same this time then too)

Bit more southerly in it this time though, but either way I was on the boat three hours before HT (which was 13:25 and a mahoosive spring at 4.6mtrs) and practice makes perfect, I had the engine on the covers off and the mooring dropped just shy of 11:00 with 0.1 meters under the keel..  plenty.. 😏

Long slow run down the ditch under main (which I had again put up in the pool just in front of the bridge), fishing rod deployed (with no success), past Northney, and as I approached Sweare Deep I was hardening up enough to clear, and so roll out the genoa..

Single tack to the bottom of the harbour, gusty conditions, using the heavier gusts to ride up wind to help the angles but even against that massive tides she was romping along at 4 knots..  lovely sailing, just needed a little more sun..

Turned for the top of the harbour just after NW Pilsey as the wind was picking up further and I'd ruled out another Eastoke visit, and lit the afterburners - 6.7 and 6.9 knots SOG (tidal assisted😏) seen as we tore up harbour - was going so fast I almost missed Jolly Boy Dave out for a similar day sail on his boat..

Jolly Boy Dave out on his boat 'Kings Ransom'..

..in fact I enjoyed it so much I turned and headed back down harbour at Verner before turning again at NW Pilsey and finally heading for home - cracking trip - more, please!

Thoughts now turn to a little make do and mend session, got some painting and gluing to do around the boat...

Log:

Distance: 10.42 (cumulative total in the mileage tab at the top)
Wind (Speed; Direction): F3 gusting F4 ; WSW going SW
Sail Plan: Full main and 90% genoa
Speed (Max/average in knots): 6 / 3