Carry on up the solent

Sun 1400. Well, we've finished! After battling around Anvil Point the fleet was becalmed in Poole Bay for what seemed like hours. The wind, previously northerly, finally kicked in from the south west, prompting a mass flurry of spinnakers and a rush to the rounding mark at North Head. We had been puzzled by so few boats going to the next mark and all was explained. Those nice people from RORC were on the line, displaying flag S for a shortened course. We crossed at 1311 with a big cheer. George was so delighted he let go of the spinny halyard. A quick trip up the mast and now sailing up the Solent under spinny, home to Ocean Village and a long bath.

Trev

Rounding the westerly mark

Sun 0630. We've now rounded the most westerly mark of the course - E Shambles, off Portland Bill and are running back to North Head under spinnaker. Then it's back west to Poole No 1, back to North Head and finish, it was a great boost to see so many class 1 and 2s at the mark - including Richard and Jeremy on Jangada Too - currently only about six boats ahead of us.
Trev

Swanage sucks

Sun 0200. Oh dear. Gromit watch took us on a long beat into Poole bay where we tried to work our way along the coast, sheltering from the tide in the lee of Anvil Point. Sadly, the wind completely died and I've just spent a torrid 4 hours off Swanage, with Wallace watch, trying our best to make some progress towards our destination (see plot). Time for bed!
Trev

Tussle off Ventnor

Sat 14:40 Making good progress around the south eastern side of the island - the wind has picked up and we're neck and neck with a J105 and another IRC2 boat. Can't be doing too badly!
Trev

Stowaway

Picked up a hitch-hiker in the form of a pigeon! He stayed with us for half an hour or so, but the wind picked up and he flew off towards the island.
T

Rounding the Nab

We came around the Nab tower nicely, with PJ at the helm and laid off plenty to ensure we cleared - putting an extra stitch in just to make sure.
T

The start

Saturday 11:10 We managed to ge up on time and joined the start. With little wind and strong tide, it was important to ensure we didn't get carried over. As the gun went, George and Chris performed a perfect spinny lauch and we were off. We're currently approching the forts, mainly thanks to the current. A strong header necessitated a change to the genoa but the wind has yet to sort itself out.
Trev

The de Guingand Bowl. Here we go again!

Friday night, we've received the course and are busy working out the tactics [see left - Ed.] ...
RORC have been a little mischievous but it's a fairly short one so, all being well, with a little wind we should be home by Sunday evening.
Trev