13th October Hamble – Chichester
This was the first serious solo sail on Purrfect Tale. Gillian wanted to use the few sunny days we had in October to garden and I wanted to make use of the same weather to get some sailing in. The tides were just right to sail 25 miles to Chichester and to anchor off Itchenor. Weather forecast was perfect – light winds, warm and sunny. Provisions were bought and meals prepared – sausages for Wednesday evening and then being a little more adventurous, Mac and Cheese with Crab for Thursday evening.
Departure from the Hamble was straightforward. Motoring out into Southampton water took about 30 minutes. I had hoped there would be a little wind – but there was none! So despite having the full main up, it was a motor all the way to Chichester. With the tide behind us it took around 3hrs to get to Chichester Bar. Little traffic around and as an introduction to single handed sailing it could not get more benign!
Passing No Man’s Fort the Solent was glassy smooth and even off Chichester Bar it was relatively quiet. It was a short motor up the river to between Chalkdock Stbd and Fairway Stbd Buoy about 1/2m before West Itchenor, which was to be our anchorage for two nights. There was one motor boat there when I arrived but they soon departed and I was on my own for the evening. Early evening I got the dinghy out and inflated ready for the next day, opened a bottle of red wine in celebration of a safe arrival, set the anchor alarm and cooked dinner. It was not exactly a restful night! As the tide changed so the boat swung through 180 deg and there was much clanking of chain as wind and tide competed with each other. I felt compelled to look at the anchor watch app every hour or so! I need not have worried she was firmly set on the anchor in around 7m of water with 28m of chain out.
Wednesday seemed to be race night on the river but after they had departed it became very quiet.
14th October – At Anchor – Chichester
Up early to check on the anchor and it was worth getting out of bed for – the pictures do not quite convey the tranquility and stillness with the chatter of Canada and Barnacle geese and Oyster Catchers in the background.
After breakfast of porridge, it was into the dinghy with the electric motor, and travelled upstream to West Itchenor. Landed at the jetty, life-jacket into back-pack and then a walk along the shore to West Wittering. The short video above provides a feel for the landscape; mudflats, birdsong and the occasional sailing boat or fishing boat travelling down to the entrance to Chichester Harbour. 55,000 waders and waterfowl visit the harbour each year accounting for 1% of the world total. It’s history predates the Roman’s and it is now an area of designated outstanding beauty. After a walk fo some 90 minutes a coffee and bacon roll was much needed in the small village before the stroll back along the back-roads and shore line. Lunch on board was pork-pie, ham, cheese and fresh bread.
I have to admit to an afternoon sleep to catch up on the fairly restless previous night. I was also suffering from a very painful shoulder as a result of cycling accident a couple of months previously for which I have yet to seek medical advice! But with enough painkillers and lack of sleep it is surprising how fresh you feel upon waking up.
The evening meal was the Mac and Cheese with crab. Gillian had erred on the side of generosity in terms of ingredients. The resulting dish from the oven was HUGE! I managed to get through about 1/3 of it before being defeated. It did not come without problems and I ended up having to take the sink apart to unblock from unwanted macaroni at 9pm in the evening. This was not as simple as it sounds with cupboards being emptied, cushions removed and panels unscrewed. But with little else to do, it filled in the time!
The night was much quieter or I should say I was much more relaxed and not as paranoid that the anchor was about to give up and I would end up floating down the river.
5th October – Chichester – Hamble
An early start to catch the tied going back down the Solent to the Hamble. Anchor came up with no problems. There was a little bit of toing and froing to move the boat forward before going back to the bow to lift another 8-10m. There was some wind – around 8-10kts which was perfect conditions. Put up the mainsail in the channel with the use of the electric winch which I was beginning to love! An expansive gadget but well worth the investment especially with a shoulder that was still giving me a bit of gyp. It was not quite daylight so navigation lights and steaming light were on. A couple of other yachts were leaving about the same time as myself but heading further East rather than West.
A nice long tack across to Bembridge and then a bit if zigzagging down the Solent, past the Forts, Southampton, Browndown and into Osbourne Bay. Some yachts out and a little bit of commercial shipping but compared to summer it was a very quiet and pleasant day.
The wind finally died near the Bramble Bank and it was a motor in from here. As I passed Hamble Point Marina, Adam from Inspiration Marine flew out a drone to take some pictures. Footage to appear later. Berthing was straightforward. I went for the very simple option of resting the bow on the fender dockside and then secured mid cleat to mid cleat before reversing to hold in place. It took a couple of hours to clear up and then a final drink at the Gaff Rigger before travelling home.
A great few days and very satisfying to have sailed the boat – albeit in benign conditions – solo for the first time. A few lessons were learnt and a lot more confidence in using the anchor.
Purrfect Tale 