7 June, trip back from Weymouth

 On Saturday we left Weymouth at 6.30am, to round the Bill at slack water (ish). We took the Inner passage again, and had very little chop due to it being neap tides.

Although not much wind in the morning, we had a great sail all afternoon averaging 6kts in a force 4.
Although we had a few engine problems, and found a new leak in the hull, the trip was great fun, and it was good to round the Bill for the first time in good weather, so I'll have more of an idea of the inner passage for when I leave in a couple of weeks.
In Weymouth, we were alongside another singlehanded Katie, in a boat called Blue Diamond. She is doing the Jester Challenge, normally a nonstop trip from Plymouth to Ireland, however with Covid, the destination has changed to Milford Haven as you have to self isolate for 2 weeks in Ireland. This confirms that I won't be able to stop in Southern Ireland on my trip, and will have to go around the more exposed coastline of Wales.
Today's work was fitting in a cooker, trying out the gas bottle box(useless), and tracing back the leak properly. We will have to dry out somewhere this week for some recaulking and filling of a couple of seams. Dad showed me how to connect up 2 solar panels, and we also replaced the VHF.

'Falanda' at Weymouth before we left

Fairway buoy at Exmouth

Portland Bill lighthouse

Approaching Portland Bill


Leaving Weymouth with no wind and glassy seas


New shiny floorboards, table and leecloth



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