The weather on Tuesday, our day at Plymouth, was solid rain all day. In the evening the wind picked up and rain, hail and a near gale blowing made for quite a grim evening.
However, what we ended up doing instead was having a big hot meal and drinks with my friends who live nearby Hope Lake where we were anchored. To stay in a warm house for dinner and in good company was the best thing we could have wished for! All the while rain blowing against the windows outside.
At 11PM we had to go back to the boat, before the dinghy would float no more on water, but get sucked in the mud as the tide goes out and leaves the whole of Hope Lake dry. The wind was still howling, and we had more rain and hail. The dinghy was half full of water, and had managed to twist its oarlocks and painter around the mooring lines of the craft moored at the quay. Some careful in twisting in the rain, without falling over in the mud was successful – but leaving us soaked through.
We paddled out to the boat, and took shelter inside, soon after we settled comfortably in the mud, and only the wind and rain continued to whistle in the rigging. There’s no better way to feel safe at anchor than when the tide has gone out and your boat is held firmly in the mud.
This morning we woke up to a fresh Southwesterly breeze, and bright sunshine. The day of departure for the next leg: to where, we were not sure – but by this evening I can say that the day’s sailing has been perfect! We made it in good time to Start Point, and now have had a broad reach all across the 50 miles of Lyme Bay.
We have a fair current round Portland Bill, and have just to finish the last few miles up the East coast and anchor at Portland harbour. It’s looking like we shall arrive at a civilised hour even – good enough to catch a nice night’s sleep.
