25th May 2009 - The Adventure Begins from Hythe - 50:52:42N 01:23:98W

Red Skies
David Alexander
Mon 25 May 2009 17:09
Leaving Day
 
Having decided to leave a day earlier than planned, due to forecast worsening weather, the morning of Monday 25th was a last minute rush. Fortunately, Don and Charlie Cousin, who were to be our shipmates all the way to Lagos, Portugal, were able to accommodate the last minute change and we set off from Hythe mid morning. Unfortunately, there was initially only variable light winds and then westerlies building to Force 5-6. This meant that we motor-sailed the entire journey to Plymouth, which we did in one hop, arriving at 5.30 am. We decided to stay at the MDL Queen Anne's Battery Marina for two nights as we were not expected to register for Rally Portugal at the Mayflower Marina until the Thursday. The decision to leave earlier than originally planned proved to be sound as Wednesday was a very windy and wet day.
 
Plymouth
 
Tuesday 26th was spent exploring Plymouth and Wednesday was mainly spent on the boat staying out of the rain.