050:42.370 N
001:30.260 W

Yarmouth, home sweet home

We’re home! And what a fabulous home coming we have just had, huge thanks to so many of you for turning out to welcome us from the end of Yarmouth Pier, and then the pontoon, it was totally magical. We’re just sad to have missed JB but hope to see you very soon John and Jane.

Today has been the most exquisite day. The wild F6 yesterday died away during the night and we woke to the burgee flying gently in a light NW breeze. We’d allowed 5 hours to do 18 miles knowing the first couple would be very slow, so it was very special to sail off the mooring and ghost our way out of Swanage Bay.

With a flat sea, and a clean bottom, TC slipped along quietly, only rocking when the enormous DFDS Poole to Cherbourg ferry kicked up a huge wash.  The forecast said the wind would increase to 12 knots from the south at 1200, literally at 1201 the main and jib self-gybed and by 1203 TC had increased her speed to 6 knots. And so it continued to increase as the tide then turned with us and we ended up flying past the Needles, Warden Ledge, past Sconce, Fort Victoria and around the corner to Yarmouth.

Quite a few texts had been exchanged with various parties, but everything was still an unknown as to whether people would be about, so it was an fabulous surprise to see a band of friends at the end of Yarmouth Pier, waving the RSYC banner and a string of flags, absolutely gorgeous.

We sailed past the Pier, did a pirouette in front of the RSYC to take the sails down, then headed in. With huge thanks to Yarmouth Harbour to letting us stay on a walkashore mooring for the weekend to enable friends and family to visit. And then what a great sight to see more friends coming up the pontoon, huge effort and so appreciated. Hugs and photos all round, tea in the cockpit, visit to RSYC to say hi to folks followed by happy hour, we couldn’t have had a happier return, thank you all so much.

Will sort through photos tomorrow and post separately along with our thoughts on the trip, but for the moment, but we’re both contented to be safely back home.

We’re also probably the only two people in the country who were delighted with the news today that a fourth heatwave is on its way; today after all was the first and only time we’ve sailed in shorts and t-shirt.