50.42.64 N 01.57.57 W
After filling up with diesel we left Punta Lagoa Marina
in Vigo on Sunday July 9. We did have a bit of a hickup with the engine not
starting first time and a clicking noise in one of the ref counters, that
delayed us by about an hour. We had a lovely send off by our new found
friends.
We motored the first couple of days, when we had lots of
dolphins swimming with us. But when we had enough wind to sail we found
that our working genoa would not unfurl, so we ended up using the lightweight
one. The seas were not very comfortable and we had some rain.
On Wednesday night (day 4) we got into the British
Channel; the wind had dropped, calm seas and a full moon: perfect. This lasted
until the early hours of Friday, so we could sail the last stretch to Studland
Bay just off Poole Harbour, where we dropped anchor at around 07.30. We had
arrived safely in the UK!!
Mark, our son-in-law had arranged a berth in Parkstone
Yachtclub, but we were a day early.
Later in the morning our kids arrived to welcome us in
"Oklahoma". It was wonderful to welcome Kirsten, Mark and Lanah as well as Ewan,
Jem, Stanley and Molly (who had just arrived from New Zealand), on board Sea
Topaz. Very special.
The next day we made our way into Poole harbour and
Parkstone Yachtclub, which is were we are now.
We are working hard to get Sea Topaz in good shape as we
have a Belgium couple coming on Monday to look at the boat with the view of
buying her. Fingers crossed..........
