Day Five - Rest day Teignmouth - Wednesday 23rd June

The following day was a rest day for most of the fleet, although Simon (and Mac) departed for Dartmouth in order to make the final arrangements for the rally.

The rest of us re-visited Ray at his gleaming facilities, did some shopping and generally relaxed. The sun was so hot I had to make up a temporary bimini cover to find some shade.

After lunch we caught the ferry across to Shaldon, a small village on the other side of the

harbour.

We walked around visiting various places that I had known since a child. Some were the same, others changed beyond recognition. We walked up to the Ness, through the Smugglers tunnel and out onto Ness beach, which provided a great view of our route for the following day.

Returning to the pontoon we had a BBQ and were joined by Mike Lloyd and Derek Wain, two local Drascombers, who were going to sail to the Dart rally on Friday.

Pictures - Simon and Mac returning from a shore visit, Simon departing for Dartmouth in Damson, the shore party, Daislebee with sun cover, Shaldon village, the ferry, Harbour entrance with the Ness headland, Ness beach towards Torquay and Brixham, Richard in the Smugglers tunnel.

Day Four - Weymouth to Teignmouth - Tuesday 22nd July

Another early start beckoned to get round Portland Bill at slack water and Weymouth harbour was beautiful in the rising sun.

We motored past Portland Harbour and prepared for the Bill, which in the event was a very calm area of water.

So much so we were able to take photos of each other with the light house in the background. It took 11 and a half hours to make the crossing of Lyme Bay, much of it under motor in the very light N/NE wind.

Nearer Teignmouth the wind shifted round to S/SW and increased to a nice level F3 or so, but about 2 miles out suddenly got up to the level where a reef was on the cards but with the entrance so close we sailed into the mouth to drop sails and motor to the visitors pontoon.

My parents had come down to see the boat and watched us come in from the point. Once we had tied up and paid the Harbour Master, Humphrey, he kindly used his rib to bring them out to the pontoon, where they had a look round the boat and compared notes with the others.

The visitors pontoon is about 30 metres from the shore and we inflated a dinghy to run relays to the shore. A real find was the toilets and shower under the Beachcomber Cafe which is near the pier. Run by Ray, they must be the cleanest public facilities I have ever seen, run with a clear passion for doing a job well. Very entertaining and helpful, Ray was a character to remember.

Photographs - Weymouth harbour at dawn, Leaving Weymouth, Passing Portland harbour, Siesta and Damson at the Bill, Egret towards Teignmouth, Siesta just off Teignmouth, Peter and Mum, Dad having thre finer points of Drascombes explained by Richard and Nick.

Day Three - Poole to Weymouth - Monday 21st June

Dawn broke in Blood Alley with a beautiful sunrise but no wind. The fleet gathered and made their way out of the harbour towards Anvil Point and St Albans Head. Much discussion had taken place but it was decided that no tide meant no over falls so this is what we aimed for.

We dressed for rough water and washboards and hatches were closed, which was just as well as the over falls at St Albans were quite exciting with water over the deck and the engine powering through the water. But almost as soon as you were in the rough water you found yourself out the other side - a bit like a theme park ride, lots of anticipation and over in seconds.

We found our way barred by a very polite but firm Range boat, directing us to a waypoint some 5 miles off shore, to avoid the guns at Lulworth ranges. With little wind it took sometime to cover the ground but we eventually turned astern of another Range boat and set course for Weymouth. As we cleared the range limits on the Weymouth side we did hear several loud guns but no water splashes which was disappointing and does beg the question 'what was the target?'

We arrived in Weymouth at about 15.00 after an early start and spent sometime exploring the flesh pots on offer (for that read chandlers, supermarkets and garages for fuel).

Another early start was required to tackle the looming Portland Bill and having sought advice from the Harbour Master that confirmed our passage planning we felt suitably confident to turn in for the night.

Pictures : Richard in Egret dressed for St Albans Head, Simon (accompanied by Mac, the Scottie dog) in Damson en route to Weymouth, the approach to Weymouth harbour, the fleet tied up alongside.

Day Two - Ashlett to Poole - Sunday 20th June

The day dawned fine and bright in Ashlett, with no wind to speak of. We motored out in the main stream and as the wind filled in set sail for Hurst Castle. Finding stronger stream in the middle of the Solent the fleet got separated and the leaders paused in the lee of Hurst to re group.

The ebb had carried us down and now assisted to spit us out though the narrows taking the inshore route across the bay. The day was very warm with bright sunshine to whole way. Wind never really got above F3 N/NE but pushed us along nicely.

We took the buoyed channel though the sandbanks on arrival at Poole and entered the harbour with no difficulty, although I was surprised at the speed at which the Condor ferry went from a small dot on the horizon to a large monster lead by the Harbour Masters launch chasing me into port.

We gathered in Blood Alley, a shallow 'lake' south of Brownsea Island for the evening. Brad Bradshaw in Siobhan, his classic Long Boat Cruiser came out to share a beer ( unusual for Brad...).

Another early night was required to catch the tide for St Albins Head and the journey across the bay to Weymouth - not that we wanted to stay up long after the long sail in the sun from Ashlett, so tried but happy we retired for the night.

Pictures - Ashlett Creek at dawn, Siesta at Hurst Castle, Virginia through the narrows, Condor into Poole

The Voyage starts.... Day One - Chichester to Ashlett Creek

Having checked round the boat one last time that everything was in its place and ready to go there was no more putting it off. With a slightly dry mouth I called the Lock control on the VHF and requested a lock out. "Come straight down" they replied. I told them that I was single handed - and almost as an after thought said "...and it's my first time".

I needn't have worried, the lock went like clockwork, the man holding my lines high above me commented that the boat must be new as he could smell the glass fibre resin and asked when I would be back. He did his best not to look too shocked when I lightly mentioned something about the 1st of July. Then I was out and motoring down through Itchenor Reach to my rendezvous with Peter Tiplady in "Siesta", his Drascombe Drifter and Richard Goldsmith in his Drascombe Coaster "Egret" at East Head.

After a brief diversion to the back of Hayling Island to wait for the tide we were off, sailing along the coast, past Portsmouth and into Southampton Water, across to Ashlett Creek to r/v with Nick Payne (Coaster "Virginia") and Simon Farley (Drifter "Sundance). Jim Hopwood was there to greet us but unfortunately would be unable to join us on the trip. After helping Simon with a leak (in his hull) he joined us as we walked to the Jolly Sailor for a beer and some supper.

The passage plan dictated an early start so bed by 21.00, for my first night afloat on the new boat.

Picture - Ashlett Creek with the sailing club in the background