Saturday 31st July/Sunday 1st August – Fowey to Hamble
Reveille was at 0530. Voyager next door to us was already up and about and had gone by 0600. it did not take us too long to bring in mains lead, shore lines and double up on lines to Karisma. Dino Volante had slipped early – 0600 and we left around 0640. A smooth departure reversing out and around the corner before heading out into Carrick Roads and Falmouth Harbour. We had decided on a 2 hour shift system – 2 on and 2 off. The weather was not too bad. Wind Westerly and Force 2 or less. This did mean that we motored eastwards past Eddystone Lighthouse which was to our South.
Lunch was bacon sandwiches – becoming a bit of a tradition to do a fry up. We had kicked into the shift system as soon as we left Falmouth and were clear of the harbour and lobster pots. I deliberately went down below to let Mark manage the boat and the systems without me interfering! By 1400 we were able to turn off the engine and and set sail on just mainsail. This was a little tricky as we ere nearly on a deadpan – but for most of the time we managed this – occasionally I would work the mainsail by hand to preempt any potential jibe. The wind had started to increase to F3/4 by 1500 and by 1800 we had made good progress. Looking at progress and tides it looked as if we would make Portland Bill for around mid-night which would mean we had another 4 hours of east going tide. As we had not motored as much as I would have expected decided to press on to Studland Bay and anchor there in the early morning and catch the first tide through the Needles
We had a quick catch up with the other boats on Channel 72 so each was aware of what the other was doing. Dino Volante was pressing on to Portland and needed to refuel, whilst Karisma dropped into Dartmouth for another day of rest.
This was the first long and overnight sail I had done Ian Purrfect Tale, so there was a little trepidation. But it worked out very well. There were a few other boats about but as night began to fall, they got fewer and fewer. Mark was on watch at 2000 hours when he shouted down ‘dolphins’. At this stage we were about a third of the way across Lyme Bay. I did not expect to see too much as quite often they come and go almost unseen. But this time it was quite spectacular – a pod off around 15ish – who stayed with us for 40 minutes. Diving and ducking under the boat and playing in the bow wave. Everyone has the same feeling when visited by these lovely creatures – it is so uplifting and you do feel for the time that they are with you a sense of connection and privilege. I managed this time to get some video which Gillian would never of forgiven me if I had missed again!
As the night wore on, each of us managed to sleep more of the 2 hours off than earlier in the night. I had made an evening meal of pasta and tuna with sweet corn – a huge saucepan of it – far too much. We had each had a quick bowl whilst on watch but we were still left with a considerable quantity. There was a debate around 2200 as to whether we threw over-board or kept to each cold for breakfast. We elected for the latter.
We intended to go leave the Bill around 3-4 miles to port. We reached the area around midnight and decided as the wind had died down to motor up to and past the Bill to make sure we made the most of the tide. it is an impressive promontory to pass in daylight or night with the lighthouse beaming out its light and the Shambles West (Flashing 9) and East (Flashing 3) seeming to take for ages to get past. By 0200 we were able to turn off the engine for a couple of hours as we made our way towards Studland. I still have a sense of magic sailing at night and whilst in the day you quite like company – at night is is nice to be on deck by yourself – looking at the endless stars and galaxies, popping down below to complete the log and mark our position on the chart. I still like to use paper charts. I find it satisfying to make and physically see progress across the paper over the hours.
By 0600 we were passing Swanage Bay and had Old Harry’s rocks in site. A couple of boats were setting out early to catch the tide to eww West and Dartmouth with Purrfect Tale just arriving as the tide had turned. By 0700 we were at last at anchor in Studland in a lovely location and could relax on a bright Sunday morning. We did not worry about tidying the boat up but we did have double rations of bacon and egg. The aim was to leave again around 1000hrs to catch the first tide going East across Christchurch Bay. So each of us got our head down at least for 2 hours. After the stress of the night crossing of Lyme bay and Portland Bill, it was a very peaceful couple of hours as well as some excitement at finishing the summer cruise in just a few hours.
1000hrs came around quite quickly. Anchor came up and off we set on the final leg. The trip to the Needles was mainly on sail in the company of a few other boats returning from Poole and Studland. We got to the Needles around 1300hrs and with a SW going down the channel incurring the risk of an accidental gybe we decided to motor.
Through the Needles channel by 1400 and it was now a straight forward journey to the Hamble in showers and rain. Both of us wanted to reach home as soon as we were able so there was not too much finesse about this last leg. I spent time tidying up downstairs and sorting out clothing, rubbish and food as well as attempting to finish at least some of the left over cold pasta and tuna. mark had saved his Mars Bar till the end and probably had the more enjoyable meal!
We did book a slot to refuel at 1530 but the rain was by now quite heavy and it did not take much time or discussion to decide it was something that could be done another day. So by 1600 we were in the berth and by 1645 tidied up and Mark ready to be collected by Jan to travel back to Taunton.
We had clocked up 373 miles in the time we had been away. The last leg from Falmouth to Hamble had been 135 miles and 36 hours.
Once Mark had left I went straight to the Gaff Rigger with the intention of a quick glass of wine before wandering back to the boat for a nap before dinner. But once I had settled down in a comfy chair and two glasses of wine had been drunk, the motivation to move from seat disappeared. So it was an early dinner of Sardines for starter and a hefty burgher for main before meandering down the pontoon for the last time and a very early night.
Purrfect Tale 