Patience is a virtue?

The stream of easterlies was anticipated which is why I set off a bit earlier than planned. However, knowing it was expected hasn’t made it easy to cope with! I have been clawing my way slowly along the south coast bit by bit calling first at Poole harbour and then Lymington, where I enjoyed lunch with my brother and sister-in-law and nephew.

The Solent held me in its clutches for several days. It was like running a marathon but not getting out of the starting blocks! Bucklers Hard on the river Beaulieu provided pleasant compensation for a couple of days. They deserve their crown for being voted Coastal Marina of the Year 18/19. They have expanded and improved vastly since then and have attentive, very helpful staff. Then Portsmouth – Haslar marina – took me closer to my release from the Solent and, on Monday 26th, I enjoyed a good sail past the forts and through the Looe channel past Selsey Bill. Hooray! PS there are video clips that may not show on a mobile phone – follow the URL hyperlink!

Littlehampton provided a challenge! There is a drying bar across the entrance and when I arrived there was inadequate depth to enter. I anchored off (so good to have the motorised windlass!) and savoured some Fiery Fish Bisque (thanks Liz!) while waiting for the levels to rise. On entry I still just touched ground (well that’s one way to scrape the barnacles off!) but then enjoyed a very peaceful night..

Brighton and Eastbourne marinas have not yet opened up for visiting yachts after lockdown, which is why it was Littlehampton and now Newhaven as stopovers. If Bucklers Hard scored 10/10, Newhaven would be 1! Easterlies again today(!) but Thursday’s forecast is for northerly winds, which should be pleasant sailing E/NE with not big seas. There is a tidal sequence along this stretch of the channel which could give me following seas for more than the usual 6 hours!

Next stop Dover?