Having failed so dismally the first time perhaps I should have taken the
attitude "If at first you don't succeed give up" but thats a little alien to
me, so I started out again on Saturday the 14th at 1400 hrs BST with an
Easterly wind and "Slight to Moderate" seas. I must have done about a mile
whenI came across my first event, an older couple floating helpless in their
small motor boat in the Chichester channel, poking at the engine. "Its never
done this before" he said so Itowed them to a safe mooring where they could
get the Itchenor taxi to come and pick them up. I then set out across the
channel.
The wind was good and with my main sail fully reefed and a bit of genoa
I was ticking along at 7 kts, I think I would have been faster but for the
sea, which was quite happy to dunk my gunwales under the water.
After a while, about 50 miles, I suddenly realised I would get to
herbourg before daylight so I backed off a bit and slowed to about 4 kts.
I finally arrived at 0800 hrs BST after what must be described as a
totally uneventful trip, yes I got thrown about a bit and everything which
could move did, but I think it was good.
Now after a couple of days I'm beginning to think about the next step,
to St Helier.
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