Hugh and Colin joined Toucando at lunchtime on Wednesday 22nd August. We agreed on a westerly destination... possibly Lymington, possibly Poole. We set off down Southampton Water, raising the sails off Weston. The wind came and went. The forecast indicated reefing would be required, and this certainly proved to be the case when we came out of the lee of Calshot and turned into the "precautionary area" by the Bramble Bank. The wind got a lot stronger... we recorded over 30 knots, and the waves rolling up the Solent from the west were quite big. Unfortunately we let the staysail flog, and sustained a little damage. We decided to go to Cowes where we found a berth at the yacht haven. Fortunately it was very quiet (Cowes week having taken place the previous week). We ate steak and mixed vegetables on board before enjoying a pint at the Anchor.
Thursday was quite a contrast. Very light winds took us down the eastern Solent. We had contemplated going out to the Nab Tower, for no particular reason other than it was there, but we weren't going fast enough for that. Instead we went in to Chichester Harbour, Toucando's first visit, and anchored off East Head. I haven't done a lot of anchoring in Toucando, and was pleased with how well it worked. We had lunch below decks. We became aware of a lot of masts going past at close quarters, and looking out of the hatch found that there were hundreds of dinghies racing about. It was the week of the combined clubs' regatta in the harbour. We had clearly arrived while they were all ashore for lunch. Now they were all out again. It was crazily busy, particularly so at the junctions of the various channels of the harbour. While we were at anchor they all had to avoid us, but once our anchor was raised and we were under way we had the interesting challenge of avoiding myriads of small boats scooting around very fast, all of which had "right of way" over us. We managed to do so, without putting ourselves aground or impeding any of the races, which was quite a feat. We then sailed off to Haslar, where we moored near the lightship.
On Friday morning we were booked in to Sealift at 0900 for washing and replacement of specialist anodes. Unfortunately the bow thruster propeller was lost overboard by an enthusiastic member of staff.... fortunately Sealift immediately set about sourcing a replacement (at their expense). This meant that ist was midday befopre the job was finished and we were on our way back to Southampton. We had a good tri[p back to the Itchen and toucando's home pontoon.
Showing posts with label Cowes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cowes. Show all posts
Monday, 10 September 2012
Wednesday, 25 July 2012
English Summer (continued)
June was terrible... the wettest on record (since records began in 1902). Not only did this make sailing unappealing, it was not conducive to external maintenance either.
My parents, Donald and Audrey, visited at the beginning of July. Although we didn't sail anywhere we had a few evenings aboard Toucando. We also visited Cowes where we saw the classic yacht fleet in the Yacht Haven, and Southampton's new Sea City Museum, which focusses on the city's links with the Titanic... most importantly the 500 crew who lost their lives.
The jet stream which had been causing all the weather trouble moved north in time for the weekend of 21st/2nd July, which was just in time for some planned day sailing.
On Saturday we were joined by Colin, Michele and Steve P for the RYA's "Push the Boat Out Day" - an attempt to get as many people on the water as possible. We had a pleasant time tacking down Southampton Water, before getting out into the Solent, circumnavigating the Bramble Bank and returning under engine.
We particularly enjoyed seeing the Jubilee Sailing Trusts's "Tenacious" coming up Southampton Water under sail.
On Sunday the crew comprised Hugh, Jane, Michele and Steve P and the main event of the day was going down to the Solent to meet and greet the returning Round the World Clipper Race. Toucando had seen the fleet go out last summer (http://toucando.blogspot.co.uk/2011/08/round-world-racing.html) so it seemed appropriate to see them come back. We motored down to the rallying point and joined the flotilla.
(More details on the Clipper Race: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-18904550).
After a lunch under way we spent the afternoon sailing round Southampton Water and the Docks.
Three good days sailing in pleasant weather! This is what the summer is supposed to be like. Toucando is now getting ready for her cruise to Cherbourg and the Channel Islands, due to start on Friday. I plan to post a few brief blogs en route, and a longer account when we get back. I hope the jet stream stays where it belongs and we continue to enjoy a proper summer.
My parents, Donald and Audrey, visited at the beginning of July. Although we didn't sail anywhere we had a few evenings aboard Toucando. We also visited Cowes where we saw the classic yacht fleet in the Yacht Haven, and Southampton's new Sea City Museum, which focusses on the city's links with the Titanic... most importantly the 500 crew who lost their lives.
On Saturday we were joined by Colin, Michele and Steve P for the RYA's "Push the Boat Out Day" - an attempt to get as many people on the water as possible. We had a pleasant time tacking down Southampton Water, before getting out into the Solent, circumnavigating the Bramble Bank and returning under engine.
After a lunch under way we spent the afternoon sailing round Southampton Water and the Docks.
On Monday Michele and Roger helped take Toucando over to Cowes for a lift, wash and change of anodes. I think she was going about a knot faster (maybe more) on the way home.
Wednesday, 11 April 2012
Easter Cruise 2012
I had spent a couple of weeks on pre-season maintenance, including supervising a few engineering jobs, so Toucando would be ready for her Easter cruise - the first of 2012. I was joined by Peter and Stewart on Thursday evening. Our first task was to take Toucando over to Shamrock Quay so she could fill her water tank and enjoy a night plugged into the mains. The crew checked out The Waterfront, while I prepared dinner.
In the morning we made ready to go. Getting off the berth avoiding the enormous Sunseeker moored behind us was not easy - the tide flows at right angles to the pontoons, but we managed eventually and made another short hop to the fuel barge where we took on 100 litres of diesel, before heading under the Itchen Bridge and out into Southampton Water. Peter and Stewart raised the main... encountering a few snags and tangles (we got a lot better at it over the course of the weekend), and we motor sailed towards the Solent. The forecast was for moderate northerly winds, which would have been ideal for a trip west, but the wind was very light and of indeterminate direction. Our initial thoughts of heading for Poole had to be abandonned, and we settled for Yarmouth instead. We got some sailing in which was good before motoring in and berthing on the new pontoon by the lifeboat.
We went and had a beer in the Royal Solent (ginger beer in my case), which is part way through a major refurbishment. Dick and Pat Dawson showed us the work in progress. We moved on to the Bugle before returning to Toucando for a Pirata Carbonara.
Saturday seemed like a good day to head to Poole, which is what we did. Crossing the bay was easy, but we really had to fight the tide in the harbour entrance. Poole Quay Marina told us they were full (there's a wretched Sunseeker taking up the space for abour four sailing boats). Fortunately there was space on the quay itself, which gave us the opportunity to use the fender board which has only had one other use over the past year. It was towards low tide, and we had to climb up a horrible ladder to do the mooring. As time went by and the tide rose we had a convenient step ashore from deck to quay. Three other boats moored alongside us, and negotiated out departure time the following morning. I did a little revictualling. There was a rabbit in charge at Tesco... ok, a person dressed as a rabbit. She tried to sell me some carrots, which I thought was quite amusing. We had a (ginger) beer in the Jolly Sailor with some pub grub.
On Sunday we headed east, towards Cowes. There was not a lot of wind to begin with, but once we were inside the Solent we did a training run, gybing our way to our destination. By the time we took down the main off Gurnard there was a Force 5 blowing. We went to Cowes Yacht Haven and found a suitable mooring before going ashore and enjoying some (ginger) beer and more pub grub at The Union Inn. We helped the people at the next table in the quiz... well, we think we helped them we didn't stay for the answers.
Monday the wind had blown up. A gale was threatened. We reefed Toucando and set off. It was blowing Force 7, gusting 8. We headed north across the Solent and up into Southampton Water. We motored. Those boats sailing were all well reefed: one was even using its bright orange storm jib and trisail. In less than two and a half hours Toucando was back on her mooring.
It would have been good to have had a little more wind earlier in the weekend and a little less at the end, but nevertheless was had a good trip to four ports. Toucando has emerged from her winter somnolence and is looking forward to more sailing. She may be a little disappointed over the next month, as my priority will be to complete four assignments for my course but by the end of may we should have a pretty busy schedule. Thanks to Peter and Stewart for crewing this weekend and getting to understand the running rigging of a gaff rigged cutter.
In the morning we made ready to go. Getting off the berth avoiding the enormous Sunseeker moored behind us was not easy - the tide flows at right angles to the pontoons, but we managed eventually and made another short hop to the fuel barge where we took on 100 litres of diesel, before heading under the Itchen Bridge and out into Southampton Water. Peter and Stewart raised the main... encountering a few snags and tangles (we got a lot better at it over the course of the weekend), and we motor sailed towards the Solent. The forecast was for moderate northerly winds, which would have been ideal for a trip west, but the wind was very light and of indeterminate direction. Our initial thoughts of heading for Poole had to be abandonned, and we settled for Yarmouth instead. We got some sailing in which was good before motoring in and berthing on the new pontoon by the lifeboat.
We went and had a beer in the Royal Solent (ginger beer in my case), which is part way through a major refurbishment. Dick and Pat Dawson showed us the work in progress. We moved on to the Bugle before returning to Toucando for a Pirata Carbonara.
Saturday seemed like a good day to head to Poole, which is what we did. Crossing the bay was easy, but we really had to fight the tide in the harbour entrance. Poole Quay Marina told us they were full (there's a wretched Sunseeker taking up the space for abour four sailing boats). Fortunately there was space on the quay itself, which gave us the opportunity to use the fender board which has only had one other use over the past year. It was towards low tide, and we had to climb up a horrible ladder to do the mooring. As time went by and the tide rose we had a convenient step ashore from deck to quay. Three other boats moored alongside us, and negotiated out departure time the following morning. I did a little revictualling. There was a rabbit in charge at Tesco... ok, a person dressed as a rabbit. She tried to sell me some carrots, which I thought was quite amusing. We had a (ginger) beer in the Jolly Sailor with some pub grub.
Toucando on Poole Town Quay
On Sunday we headed east, towards Cowes. There was not a lot of wind to begin with, but once we were inside the Solent we did a training run, gybing our way to our destination. By the time we took down the main off Gurnard there was a Force 5 blowing. We went to Cowes Yacht Haven and found a suitable mooring before going ashore and enjoying some (ginger) beer and more pub grub at The Union Inn. We helped the people at the next table in the quiz... well, we think we helped them we didn't stay for the answers.
Monday the wind had blown up. A gale was threatened. We reefed Toucando and set off. It was blowing Force 7, gusting 8. We headed north across the Solent and up into Southampton Water. We motored. Those boats sailing were all well reefed: one was even using its bright orange storm jib and trisail. In less than two and a half hours Toucando was back on her mooring.
It would have been good to have had a little more wind earlier in the weekend and a little less at the end, but nevertheless was had a good trip to four ports. Toucando has emerged from her winter somnolence and is looking forward to more sailing. She may be a little disappointed over the next month, as my priority will be to complete four assignments for my course but by the end of may we should have a pretty busy schedule. Thanks to Peter and Stewart for crewing this weekend and getting to understand the running rigging of a gaff rigged cutter.
Sunday, 1 January 2012
Colour supplement
First of all: Happy New Year to all crew and followers. Thank you for making 2011 such a success. I am looking forward to the new sailing season with great enthusiasm. I hope we will be undertaking some longer passages. The first is likely to be over the Easter weekend, probably along the coast to Weymouth with stops in Poole and Yarmouth or Lymington. Meanwhile here are some pictures from the autumn. First the jib following "hurricane" damage. It is now expertly repaired and I can barely see how it was done.
Sarah and Michele on a trip which included a stop in Hamble:
Here we are in Cowes:
Jean and Roger on a very pleasant day in the eastern Solent:
Penny, Hugh and Stephen on an autumn trip to Yarmouth:
A view from the foredeck:
Jolie Brise - a very famous old boat:
Tuesday, 20 September 2011
A trip to Yarmouth (almost)
Michele and Ava joined Toucando for a trip to Yarmouth. It was to coincide with the Solent Gaffers' "Centenary Chase". We left at 1330 with two reefs in the main. We got the sail up as soon as we were off the mooring and had a very nice sail down Southampton Water. The barometer had been falling steadily, and Southampton appeared to be under a black cloud as we looked back, but it was fine where we were.
We turned towards Yarmouth after Calshot Spit, putting on the engine to get through the "precautionary area". The wind picked up to a Force 7 (32 knots) from the SSW (the direction of Yarmouth). We made slow progress. We had a go at tacking, but our progress was not good.... another trip with a Force 7 from the wrong direction! We considered the merits of working our way to Yarmouth, but decided to head for Cowes instead.
We got the sails furled in the Medina and found a berth at East Cowes. We caught the bus to Yarmouth and arrived in time for dinner at the Royal Solent. Only five boats had taken part in the Chase, and many of the participants had themselves come by land, or ferry. The winner of the open boat class had taken a bang on the head from the boom, and had had a trip to A&E as a result. He managed to get back in order to claim his prize. Our decision to stop at Cowes was probably the prudent one.
On Sunday we headed back to Southampton. It was an almost perfect day for sailing... a Force 4 from the west. We sailed in a nice straight line across from Cowes towards Hillhead. Then we had to make a few tacks to get into Southampton Water and past the oil terminal. We then managed to have a long close-hauled tack most of the way up Southampton Water, during which we had lunch. We dropped the main just off Weston Shelf and headed for the Itchen. At that point the rain came, heavy and intense... the worst I can recall on Toucando. Fortunately there was not much wind at that point. We huddled in our waterproofs with the hoods pulled well over, and motored up to the pontoon, where we made a perfect landing.
And so ended Toucando's last scheduled event of the season.... However there will be more weekend sailing, providing the weather is ok. I have just heard a forecast suggesting we are going to get heavy snows in October. I hope that is wrong.
We turned towards Yarmouth after Calshot Spit, putting on the engine to get through the "precautionary area". The wind picked up to a Force 7 (32 knots) from the SSW (the direction of Yarmouth). We made slow progress. We had a go at tacking, but our progress was not good.... another trip with a Force 7 from the wrong direction! We considered the merits of working our way to Yarmouth, but decided to head for Cowes instead.
We got the sails furled in the Medina and found a berth at East Cowes. We caught the bus to Yarmouth and arrived in time for dinner at the Royal Solent. Only five boats had taken part in the Chase, and many of the participants had themselves come by land, or ferry. The winner of the open boat class had taken a bang on the head from the boom, and had had a trip to A&E as a result. He managed to get back in order to claim his prize. Our decision to stop at Cowes was probably the prudent one.
On Sunday we headed back to Southampton. It was an almost perfect day for sailing... a Force 4 from the west. We sailed in a nice straight line across from Cowes towards Hillhead. Then we had to make a few tacks to get into Southampton Water and past the oil terminal. We then managed to have a long close-hauled tack most of the way up Southampton Water, during which we had lunch. We dropped the main just off Weston Shelf and headed for the Itchen. At that point the rain came, heavy and intense... the worst I can recall on Toucando. Fortunately there was not much wind at that point. We huddled in our waterproofs with the hoods pulled well over, and motored up to the pontoon, where we made a perfect landing.
And so ended Toucando's last scheduled event of the season.... However there will be more weekend sailing, providing the weather is ok. I have just heard a forecast suggesting we are going to get heavy snows in October. I hope that is wrong.
Thursday, 15 September 2011
Midweek trip to Cowes
Just come back from a rare midweek cruise with Reading friends Jean and Roger. They came on Tuesday afternoon and we had baked cod on board that night. On Wednesday we set off in reasonable weather towards the Solent. It remained pleasant as we went down Southampton Water, although the wind built from a gentle force three to a brisk five or six. The rain came when we were in the Solent: the trawler specification wet weather gear came into its own. We got into Cowes and had plenty of berths to choose from at the Yacht Haven. After lunch Roger and I took a walk to Egypt Point: the weather was fine by now.
In the evening we enjoyed a very good meal at The Red Duster.
Today (Thursday) there was little wind and plenty of sunshine. We motor sailed back taking a scenic route off Osborne Bay, Ryde, Gilkicker, Lee and Hill Head.
The wind picked up in the afternoon and we had a slow run back up Southampton Water and were back on our pontoon by about 1600.
A nice gentle trip with a bit of excitement in the rain on the way out. The forecast is looking windy again for the weekend. Thanks Jean and Roger for giving me the opportunity to get out in the week and enjoy a quieter Solent.
In the evening we enjoyed a very good meal at The Red Duster.
Today (Thursday) there was little wind and plenty of sunshine. We motor sailed back taking a scenic route off Osborne Bay, Ryde, Gilkicker, Lee and Hill Head.
The wind picked up in the afternoon and we had a slow run back up Southampton Water and were back on our pontoon by about 1600.
A nice gentle trip with a bit of excitement in the rain on the way out. The forecast is looking windy again for the weekend. Thanks Jean and Roger for giving me the opportunity to get out in the week and enjoy a quieter Solent.
Sunday, 14 August 2011
Toucando goes to Cowes and gets a wash, and then has an outing to Beaulieu
After less than four months in the Solent Toucando badly needed a wash. When the water was clear enough weed could be seen growing on her propeller. The cooling water inlet seemed to be getting blocked (as mentioned in earlier posts) and a scummy line was developing on the side of her hull. So a crew was assembled and a lift and wash was booked.
We had originally planned to go on Thursday, but near gales were forecast, so we deferred until Friday. Andrew and Michele took Toucando round to Hamble Point on Thursday evening to get a head start for the trip over the Solent. When Friday came it was quite breezy. We came out of the Hamble River to see thousands of boats taking part in Cowes Week racing. We crossed the water on a broad reach taking advantage of a gap between two separate races. We crossed the finishing line at 1200: shame we weren't in a race. We then wove our way (somewhat anxiously) through hundreds of small sailing boats whizzing about in the Medina River entrance. We got in without incident. We made our way to Sealift and moored up on the waiting pontoon.
Sealift is a platform which can be sunk to the river bed, and then brought up to enable work to be done on the hull. It uses submarine type technology with four large tanks which can be filled with water to sink, or air to rise. We manouevred Toucando into position and then slowly we were lifted out. Once fully out of the water the three Sealift staff got to work with jet washes. Toucando's hull was covered with black slime, weed and various crustacea. Andrew went to a nearby chandlery to get some anodes (sacrificial metal blocks to prevent corrosion of more important things). It took the best part of two hours for the job to be completed, but Toucando looked a lot better for it. When it was all finished the platform was lowered and we motored off. We then had a bit of excitment, almost going agound in the very busy river as boats came back from their races. Andrew exchanged a wave with Sir Robin Knox-Johnston (the first person to sail all the way round the world, non-stop, single handed... back in the '60s) who was driving a rib with a large party of young children aboard. I am sure he was impressed with Toucando. We returned to the Sealift waiting pontoon to have lunch before heading back to Southampton in the afternoon/early evening.
On Saturday Toucando was joined by Ben, Daryl and Nik (former colleagues of Andrew) for a daysail. We decided to go to Beaulieu. As we left the mooring we followed Tom and Ros Cunliffe out of the Itchen on their new boat, a 23 year old American cutter, which had just arrived from Florida on the back of a ship. They were going on their shakedown trip to make sujre everything worked.
We got our sails up and had a nice easy sail down Southampton Water. When we got out to the Solent proper the wind picked up and we tacked down to the Baulieu River entrance. We motored up the river where we were greeted by Lord Montague's henchmen (aka the Beaulieu River Harbourmaster)... they didn't have a pontoon for us to moor on, but suggested we moor on a buoy. To our great delight they didn't ask for any money. Phew! We had lunch there before returning.
By this stage it was pretty windy, so we put a couple of reefs in the main and we had a fairly fast sail back, returning to our mooring just before sunset. We then enjoyed cups of tea (sic.) sitting on the cockpit, watching the life of the river, human and animal.
Toucando seemed to have benefitted from the wash. She sailed beautifully, and the engine was perfect. Thanks to Michele for her help over the whole three days, and Ben, Daryl and Nik for the Beaulieu trip.
We had originally planned to go on Thursday, but near gales were forecast, so we deferred until Friday. Andrew and Michele took Toucando round to Hamble Point on Thursday evening to get a head start for the trip over the Solent. When Friday came it was quite breezy. We came out of the Hamble River to see thousands of boats taking part in Cowes Week racing. We crossed the water on a broad reach taking advantage of a gap between two separate races. We crossed the finishing line at 1200: shame we weren't in a race. We then wove our way (somewhat anxiously) through hundreds of small sailing boats whizzing about in the Medina River entrance. We got in without incident. We made our way to Sealift and moored up on the waiting pontoon.
Sealift is a platform which can be sunk to the river bed, and then brought up to enable work to be done on the hull. It uses submarine type technology with four large tanks which can be filled with water to sink, or air to rise. We manouevred Toucando into position and then slowly we were lifted out. Once fully out of the water the three Sealift staff got to work with jet washes. Toucando's hull was covered with black slime, weed and various crustacea. Andrew went to a nearby chandlery to get some anodes (sacrificial metal blocks to prevent corrosion of more important things). It took the best part of two hours for the job to be completed, but Toucando looked a lot better for it. When it was all finished the platform was lowered and we motored off. We then had a bit of excitment, almost going agound in the very busy river as boats came back from their races. Andrew exchanged a wave with Sir Robin Knox-Johnston (the first person to sail all the way round the world, non-stop, single handed... back in the '60s) who was driving a rib with a large party of young children aboard. I am sure he was impressed with Toucando. We returned to the Sealift waiting pontoon to have lunch before heading back to Southampton in the afternoon/early evening.
Waiting for the Sealift to be lowered before we could go in
Andrew on the deck as Toucando is slowly lifted out of the water
Getting started with the jet wash
The propeller before...
... and after
A nice clean hull!
On Saturday Toucando was joined by Ben, Daryl and Nik (former colleagues of Andrew) for a daysail. We decided to go to Beaulieu. As we left the mooring we followed Tom and Ros Cunliffe out of the Itchen on their new boat, a 23 year old American cutter, which had just arrived from Florida on the back of a ship. They were going on their shakedown trip to make sujre everything worked.
Tom Cunliffe and family taking out their newly acquired American cutter (left)
We got our sails up and had a nice easy sail down Southampton Water. When we got out to the Solent proper the wind picked up and we tacked down to the Baulieu River entrance. We motored up the river where we were greeted by Lord Montague's henchmen (aka the Beaulieu River Harbourmaster)... they didn't have a pontoon for us to moor on, but suggested we moor on a buoy. To our great delight they didn't ask for any money. Phew! We had lunch there before returning.
Buckler's Hard on the Beaulieu River
Nik, Ben and Darryl contemplating lunch
By this stage it was pretty windy, so we put a couple of reefs in the main and we had a fairly fast sail back, returning to our mooring just before sunset. We then enjoyed cups of tea (sic.) sitting on the cockpit, watching the life of the river, human and animal.
Toucando seemed to have benefitted from the wash. She sailed beautifully, and the engine was perfect. Thanks to Michele for her help over the whole three days, and Ben, Daryl and Nik for the Beaulieu trip.
Ben and Nik flaking the sail
Monday, 1 August 2011
Round the World Racing
Vic and Andy joined Toucando for the weekend. They arrived on Friday morning and we made a fairly prompt start heading for Yarmouth. We got in some sailing after Calshot, but the wind faded to almost nothing as we passed Newtown Creek, so the engine was required to get us to Yarmouth. We had a pleasant stop there, but decided against going on to Poole on Saturday... it would have been a long motor. Instead we went to Cowes, passing through some racing fleets on the way.
On Sunday we set off for Southampton. There was a useful easterly breeze, and we sailed fairly slowly across the Solent and up Southampton Water with a view to seeing the Clipper Round the World racing yachts head out of the city down to the Solent. We loitered off Weston until the ten racers emerged, followed by HMS Invincible and hundreds of small boats and spectator craft. For a while the wind picked up to a Force 5 as they made their way to the start line. We left them to it and returned to our mooring on the Itchen. Thanks to V&A for a pleasant weekend cruise in the western Solent.
A race heading our way in the Solent
A view from the High Street in Cowes
The flagpole and a couple of starting cannons at the Royal Yacht Squadron
A boat shed
On Sunday we set off for Southampton. There was a useful easterly breeze, and we sailed fairly slowly across the Solent and up Southampton Water with a view to seeing the Clipper Round the World racing yachts head out of the city down to the Solent. We loitered off Weston until the ten racers emerged, followed by HMS Invincible and hundreds of small boats and spectator craft. For a while the wind picked up to a Force 5 as they made their way to the start line. We left them to it and returned to our mooring on the Itchen. Thanks to V&A for a pleasant weekend cruise in the western Solent.
Vic on the hem of Toucando, with a Cornish yawl in the background
The Clipper Round the World Race fleet coming down Southampton Water
Tuesday, 31 May 2011
A blustery sail to Cowes and back
Ava and Alexander joined Andrew on Saturday morning. We set off down Southampton Water, with two reefs in the mainsail and crossed the Solent in a Force 6 with some biggish waves rolling up from the west. We berthed at Shepard's Wharf on the third attempt as the wind kept trying to blow us off. On Sunday morning Ron and Beth of "Nightingale" came aboard for a cup of tea. They remembered seeing Toucando at Brest in Brittany a few years ago. On Sunday we returned to Southampton. It was just as windy, although the waves seemed smaller.
Alexander, Ava, Hugh and Andrew - photographer: Sara
On Monday we were joined by Sara and Hugh. It was a grey, damp day... more wet mist than rain. After a tour of the docks we motored down to Fawley and then practised tacking back up Southampton Water. We gradually improved our technique after getting a few tangles. The crew were very enthusiastic and resourceful: we all had a good sail. Back on the Itchen we had some high tea before everyone went on their way (except Andrew). After a typical "Bank Holiday Weekend" it is now a bright, calm morning on the Itchen. Toucando is now looking forward to a trip to Yarmouth IOW later in the week having logged another 44 miles.
Alexander, Ava, Hugh and Andrew - photographer: Sara
On Monday we were joined by Sara and Hugh. It was a grey, damp day... more wet mist than rain. After a tour of the docks we motored down to Fawley and then practised tacking back up Southampton Water. We gradually improved our technique after getting a few tangles. The crew were very enthusiastic and resourceful: we all had a good sail. Back on the Itchen we had some high tea before everyone went on their way (except Andrew). After a typical "Bank Holiday Weekend" it is now a bright, calm morning on the Itchen. Toucando is now looking forward to a trip to Yarmouth IOW later in the week having logged another 44 miles.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)