50:47.438N  1:07.058W

Sunday 22nd August

We spent a second day in Eastbourne with F5-6 winds blowing from the west but with a fair wind forecast on Monday for the last leg of our journey home to Haslar Marina, Gosport. We took a walk along the promenade towards Eastbourne pier and had another early night as we wanted to leave Sovereign Harbour before dawn.

Monday 23rd August

We were up at 3.30am and were out of the lock and into the channel by 0430. A light northerly wind at first but with a good tide under us we were quickly past Beachy Head and it was nearly dawn. Turning West, the wind was on our beam and increased to F4, occasionally 5 - perfect for fast sailing. The tide was against us past Brighton and the offshore wind farm, but turned fair again as we approached Selsey Bill and the Looe Channel, carrying us up to the Solent. As we approached the Forts guarding the entrance to the Solent, a spitfire flew across our bow - we had hoped for the Red Arrows, but hey!.  We were back on our home berth at 2.15 this afternoon, and cracked open the prosecco. 1600 nautical miles and 40 harbours visited. A great experience for a Covid affected year and great fun. Hopefully we will get across the Atlantic in 2022.