2014 - a weeks leave in late April

 

Early morning departure from Wicor, passing all the Navy's ships!  Sun rise over docklands.
 

The Coastguard protecting our coasts checking out vessels arriving in the Solent

Departing the Solent for the first time in 2104 after departing Wicor at 0545.

Arriving in Poole, the chain ferry and Haven Hotel, some of the most expensive real estate on the planet!

Safely moored in Poole Quay Boat Haven on A7 berth, empty after the Easter weekend rush

 

Joined by two other Tradewind 35's run by the Sea Cadets based in Gosport

 

A day trip (on a boat!) to Brownsea Island, landing on the Island

It takes about 2.5 hours to walk round the Island.  Despite being very quiet and looking keenly I never did see that red squirrel!

A fine feathered friend

View from Brownsea Island looking over the Purbeck coast

 

Now there is an anchorage to try just off Pottery Pier

 

Church field

Return trip, entering the Needles Channel on a misty day after a fast but choppy passage from Poole

 

Travelling up the Solent in think mist, less than 100 years. There is a Port Hand Bouy somewhere out there!

 

Reached Newtown Creek through the mist.  Not a bad spot to stay, Newtown Creek

 

 

Whilst relaxing in the cockpit I noticed the ring round the sun.  Apparently it is a sign of very high clound and that a front is on it's way.

 

 

Another fabulous sunset in Newtown Creek

 

 

 

 

2013 Sailing to North Brittany

 Early departure from Portsmouth, about to cross the Channel.

Crossing the channel

 

Moored in St Quay

 

Cycle to Binic along the coastal route, it's tuff going, took the road home!

 

Paimpol, one of the highlights of the holiday

 

Entrance to Paimpol, best attempted at high water!

 

Bicycle out, a wonderful ride to the Abbey

 

 
 

The coastline East of Paimpol on the coast path

Sailing to Treguier through the passage behind Ile De Brehat

Dolphin guarding the entrance to Treguier

 

In and around Treguier Thursday market

 

 

Making hand made jewllery

 

Treguier Church

A great place to eat in Treguier, the owner at the window.

 



 

Moored up in Roscoff after an interesting passage, winds rising to F6 and a gybe with a moderate following sea and a lee shore ahead, oh and lots of rocks in an unknown harbour.
 

 

Entrance to the new Marina, there is plenty of room outside to take sails down and fenders out where the ferry berths.

 

Old Roscoff Harbour, I would be less keen to head for Roscoff if I knew I had to berth against a stone wall after a long passage.

 

Leaving Roscoff on a misty and still moring. 

Picked up one of the five mooring buoys in Port Blanc, what a great spot provided the wind is not from the north.

 

 

 

  

Approaching Jersey, Noirmanton Point

Moored in St Helier Marina in Jersey

Anchored in Braye, Alderney.  If I say so my self, a well timed run up the Big Russell from Jersey to Alderney in one hit.  The tide just changing as we round the north east corner of Alderney to set us west towards Braye
 

Setting off across the Channel from Braye to the Solent via the needles

What one might call a smooth crossing, motoring all the way!

 

The Needles right on the nose and the tide is just flooding up the channel to take me East up the Solent. Now shall I stop in Yarmouth or Newtown Creek?

 

Hanging out in Newtown Creek, cleaning the boat and generally relaxing