THE FINAL LEG! SCILLIES TO HAMBLE - THURSDAY 13TH JUNE - SATURDAY 15TH JUNE
Persephone... Cruiser/Racer
Nigel & Karen Goodhew...
Sat 15 Jun 2013 13:25
| We had a wonderful time in the Scillies despite the chill and wind! So after a couple of days of rest it was time to start thinking about heading back to our home port of Hamble. We were considering a leisurely sail back with maybe a stop or two thereby planning our arrival back for Sunday. However, the weather forecast was not looking good. Our final night in St Mary's was spent on a very rolly mooring buoy and with expected winds of 41 knots, Nigel added extra lines and chain to the buoy to ensure we didn't break free and end up on the reef. The next day we were still debating whether we should leave or not as Karen was a little concerned about the sea state. By mid afternoon on Thursday the decision was made to get going as it looked as if it was going to only get worse in the southwest over the next 24 hours (and surely it couldn't be any worse than the Atlantic mountainous seas we had experienced!). So off we set to the east. The sea state was a little rolly but not unmanageable and the winds were fresh but with a reefed in main and small headsail it was going to be reasonably comfortable and so we settled in to what would be our last night at sea for a while. Friday morning arrived and the sea had calmed and the winds were lighter. We were still trying to decide if we should perhaps stop off in Yarmouth. During the day numerous weather reports came through the VHF and it was not looking good. A gale force 8 was due in Plymouth with gales due further east over the next 24 hours. We also had the old problem of water in the bilges, not a huge amount but enough to keep a close eye on, and an engine that was still 'hunting', so we decided it would probably be prudent to press on and get straight back to Hamble. So…… that is exactly what we did and we arrived home, safe and sound, on Saturday morning, 15th June at 12.40am. It felt very strange to be pulling into our old berth, the pontoon seemed huge compared to what we had experienced in Europe and the Caribbean, so as we slipped in quietly and slowly, we breathed a sigh of relief that we had made it! We had sailed a total of 11,185 miles over the last year, most of it double handed, so we both feel very proud of our achievement. So after a quick celebration of a rum & coke we were ready for our beds and the long awaited sleep in! It just remains to say, that we met some fantastic people on our way and hopefully have made some long lasting friendships - they really played a big part in making our trip something we will never forget. . Also thanks for all the good wishes we received en route, it was lovely to have contact with friends and family and to know that you were reading our blog….. thank you! Karen & Nigel xxi |