Will we have enough wind?
We had hoped to have a long spinnaker run all the way back across the Channel…and it looked hopeful for the first half hour or so. Unfortunately the wind direction then became unhelpful (to go with the poor visibility) and we ended up motoring most of the way.
Mike felt it was necessary to try out the best lounging positions while there were no ropes to pull.
First overnight at anchor
After finally having enough wind for a couple of hour sail in the dark, we decided that a quick stop for a nap in Swanage looked highly preferable to pushing on into Poole harbour and then trying to find a mooring buoy in the dark…
Our crew then discovered just how long it can take to nose into a bay that you don’t know well, but know enough to remember that there are random buoys and other anchored boats (or is that a boat or is it something on shore…) around that you don’t want to hit!
We’ve never anchored overnight on WeatherWitch before, so this was a perfect test of both our anchor and our new anchor alarm (linked in with our Vesper AIS system that we fitted over the winter). On waking up 6 hours later much more refreshed than expected, we were impressed at the recording of our track:
Onward to Poole
6 am light brought everything in Swanage Bay into much easier focus, so the buoys were far easier to dodge on our way out. Hugging the coastline round to Poole gave us stunning views of Old Harry Rocks and Studland Bay.
While the wind didn’t do what we wanted (coming straight from where we were going) it was still a lovely motor round and in to Poole. The early start was made completely worth it by being in time (just!) for a late breakfast at Deli on the Quay – sunshine, amazing food and a view over the marina…paradise!
Our crew then headed off for a trip to Brownsea Island while Mike and I decided to instead potter on with some of the never ending boat jobs…I know who had the more glamorous day! Though I’ll claim that sunglasses and a head torch is a distinct fashion statement.
Once we’d had enough of contorting into strange positions and trying, partially successfully, to secure plumbing, get nav lights working again and giving WeatherWitch a wash, we decided it was time for a well deserved chill in the sunshine in the cockpit. It was so nice, even Trim came up to sunbathe.
Back home
To our crew’s relief, we left Poole at a much more sociable time in the morning…even if getting out of berth did require a lot of discussion and plans A, B, C…and possibly more (thankfully plan A worked). It turned out to be a rather lively and speedy crossing of Poole Bay, which had us tucked up alongside in Lymington at a most sensible time in the afternoon.
The next morning we watched from a distance as the Round the Island race fleet thumped past in the “delightful” strong wind and rain, then slipped out for a far more enjoyable down wind zip back to our home berth.
Overall a most enjoyable week where we, for once, managed to get a good balance between sailing and exploring enough to feel like we’d actually seen the places we sailed to.
