Hamble to Starcross

11th to 20th September
Hamble-Cowes-Chichester Hbr-Totland Bay-Poole-Studland-Cherbourg-Starcross
Click for route
With new rigging and new Furlex for genoa, plus Anna aboard, we had a leisurely few days in beautiful late summer warmth, visiting some old favourites in the Solent and Poole. Then, a quick sail to Cherbourg for plonk and smelly cheese, before returning home. I cut short plans for Channel Isles as forecast was for light winds - better I reckon to take advantage of remaining F.4/5 rather than travel 90 miles with engine. Perhaps there'll be another chance between shore-bound commitments, but as evenings draw in, it is sad to realise there are only a few weeks till the end of another wonderful sailing season.

Mast comes off for re-rig

Beached for a clean at East Head, Chichester

Tranquil anchorage at Totland Bay, IoW

Past the Needles en route to Poole....

and busy squirrels on Brownsea Island

Fine Swedish vessel in Cherbourg

Oriana (I think) came in as we left Cherbourg

Perfect sailing broad reach back to the Exe

Nearly home..

Starcross to Hamble

3rd to 8th September
Starcross-Lyme Regis-Poole-Hurst-Newport-Newtown-Hamble
Click for route (left icon to view)

A few days ashore were fun. Bryony and Alex’s wedding was wonderful and a memorably happy event.

Bryony and Alex

But, as it suggests in a local pub, land was only created so we’d have somewhere to sail to, so a week ashore was plenty and I was happy to get back aboard. I’ve enjoyed a trip of childhood nostalgia via Lyme Regis, Poole and Isle of Wight. Seaside gems are as beautiful as ever, especially in warm gentle late-summer sunshine, but the Solent seems very crowded. Now, in the river Hamble I see more boats every day than in the rest of the year together.

Passing Old Harry Rocks

Tranquility in Blood Alley, Poole

Nervous red squirrel, Brownsea Is.

One of many packed marinas on the Hamble

Misty’s mast is down and new rigging is being fitted, and new Furlex reefing too. It’s the sort of work that severely dents a sailing budget. But Misty will, I trust, be fit for many years to come. Tomorrow, Anna joins me and I hope we can sail away, as mooring charges in these places are pretty eye-watering!

Misty's mast being lifted off