We had a slow start, spending the afternoon of Tuesday showing a friend who is interested in buying a Shrimper, around the boat - hoisting the sails and looking at the engine - that sort of thing - there was no wind to take her out for a sail but I think he found it useful. That evening Adam and I adjourned to CYC for a meal and spent the night in the marina.
The next day was sunny and warm and we got away after a quick coffee and anchored off East Head for breakfast and to wait for Richard to get out of his creek. As it was we stayed there for lunch to get the best of the tide for the run to Portsmouth.
Crew - general lookout
We took the inshore passage over the Winners - getting down to 0.5 m at one point, but with the plate up we skimmed across and took the inshore route through the submarine barrier
Egret - approaching the submarine barrier
We hugged the shore until the hovercraft came in behind us and then crossed to the small boat passage at the entrance to the harbour.
Watch out for passing traffic
HMS Illustrious was in port - it turned out she was due to escort the yachts at the start of The Clipper Round the World race on Saturday.
HMS Illustrious
Further up the harbour in the beginning of the Fareham Channel was evidence of the post navy cuts tied up and looking very forlorn - not quite the majestic Royal Navy turn out - HMS Exeter, Nottingham, Manchester and Southampton
Forgotten and rusting
We picked up a buoy for a cup of tea and then made our way across the shallows to the area just off Portchester Castle were we spent the night - we had a chat to the Police launch who had come up following a report of some lads in a dory paying a lot of interest to some yachts on the far side of the moorings - unfortunately we hadn't seen a thing.......
Sunset over Portchester Castle
Later that day we slipped back across to the Fareham channel and made our way up to the top , being buzzed by Chinook and Sea King helicopters along the way.
Lunch was taken at the Fareham Motor and Sailing club pontoon where we were made very welcome with telephones numbers being exchanged with a view to a potential rally location.
We then took the flood down the harbour and out to the Solent and headed towards Langstone.
On arrival we tied up outside Southsea marina until the cill was lowered and we could moor up for the night. A very convivial curry at the restaurant and an early night.
The next day we took the inshore passage back to Chichester and home to the marina - another good cruise with Adam doing most of the boat handling, including reversing into the berth - coming along nicely.
The next morning the sun shone brightly, quickly burning off the mist and revealing Portchester Castle in a different light.
View up the harbour
Later Adam and I went ashore and had a look round the castle - coming across the local Hell's Angel chapter
Later that day we slipped back across to the Fareham channel and made our way up to the top , being buzzed by Chinook and Sea King helicopters along the way.
Lunch was taken at the Fareham Motor and Sailing club pontoon where we were made very welcome with telephones numbers being exchanged with a view to a potential rally location.
We then took the flood down the harbour and out to the Solent and headed towards Langstone.
On arrival we tied up outside Southsea marina until the cill was lowered and we could moor up for the night. A very convivial curry at the restaurant and an early night.
The next day we took the inshore passage back to Chichester and home to the marina - another good cruise with Adam doing most of the boat handling, including reversing into the berth - coming along nicely.
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