Eastbourne to Cowes !!!

Early start today, the forecast was favourable in direction but not strength N 5-7 occ f8 but since off shore we knew it would be a flattish sea.


Off through the 6:00 lock with a few fishing boats in bright morning sun and a building wind, by the time we were off Beachy Head we had two reefs and the small headsail reaching at 7+ knots and it was bitterly cold.




Beachy Head



As we headed offshore towards the Isle of Wight it started to get colder with the wind building enough to put in the 3rd reef and part furl the jib at one point we hit 9.8 knots , so now we have a target speed to beat. We have hit 13.5Kn in the past so we have a way to go yet.

Peter enjoying the weather

As we approached the Island a tall ship was sighted the TSS Royalist it was a super sight unfortunately a few hours later we heard that a trainee had died had falling from the rigging and hitting the deck.

On entering the Solent we finally spotted some other yachts, we were not the only idiots sailing after all . At this point we decied that Cowes would be an uncomfortable marina so we diverted to Gosport entering throught the historic entrance to Portsmouth Harbour.

Log reading 1994 so 201 miles down about 2000 to go !!!! lets hope it gets warmer.