Warbarrow Bay, Dorset

It is almost 3pm on Thursday 6 June and virtually all our preparation is over, the mechanic has left us, the rig has been checked whilst the water maker and newly fettled engine were given a full testing on a short trip up and down beyond the Fairway Post this morning. Everything we wanted from our Dubai shipment has been stowed on board, just a trip to the supermarket for provisions to do this evening.

Then with our weekend crew Paul March on board, we’ll be waiting for the tide to have sufficient rise over the Southsea Cill tomorrow morning, probably around 09:30 and saying Au Revoir Southsea Marina, our berth for the umpteen years for the last time for a while. Over the past couple of weeks we have been very fortunate to say farewell in person to many of the wonderful friends we’ve made here, it has been quite emotional but we are sure our paths will cross again one day. We’ll miss the Southsea folk especially the E & F Pontoon Crew. Fair winds to you all!

Our first tentative steps will be a week or so cruising around the Solent and Dorset Coast to ensure everything is working as expected. We plan to head for Swanage to meet up with Susie’s parent who are holidaying there, Warbarrow Bay (if Lulworth Range is clear of firing) and perhaps as far west as Portland. Life will be at anchor and, with the current forecast, plenty of sun and gentle winds from the North. After that we’ll turn east and start on the 600nm voyage to Inverness and the Caledonian Canal in Scotland.