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Last day of the hol sailing back to Portsmouth. First outing for the spinnaker and we got snapped by a photographer so hoping for some good shots. Wind about force 3. We'll be back in time to avoid the storm forecast for tomorrow.

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About to leave Lymington for last leg home, so we are home before big storm tomorrow.

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Arrived in Lymington after a beat into a strong south easterly across Poole Bay. Back to home tomorrow, earlyish start. France will have to wait till next year.

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No sign of life in the Restaurant we were planning on going to, so have moved to a nice anchorage, South Deep, Poole Harbour for the night, and having supper aboard.

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Passing St Albarns Head. Heading for a restaurant just inside Poole Harbour. Sun's on it's way down-doesn't seen right after such a lovely day.

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Leaving Weymouth.
Sun's out-you could almost say hot!
Nice calm sea with good breeze from the south east taking up inshore along the jurassic coast. Called up range control this time and asked them if they were firing-and there not, which is perfect as we didn't have a course to sail round, so would have meant a long motor.

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Returning to Weymouth as not enough wind, or in fact any wind, out in the channel.

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Leaving Weymouth for the last chance to make the crossing this season. The wind is the right direction but potentially not quite strong enough so we may turn around and head to Studland later (this time well out of the way of the Lulworth range!)

Our Berth for the night in Weymouth

Handy for the Showers in Harbour Masters Office!

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Totaly forgot about Lulworth fireing range-as most of the times we have done this trip it has been in the holidays when the range is not active.
No danger of entering the range unseen though, a patrol vessel radioed us while we were close inshore at St Albans Head and sent us 3 miles out to sea. No sign of any fireing though!

About arrive in Weymouth, made good time despite the detour.

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Just passing St Alban's Head. Wind dropped but still making 5kts. Really sunny and warm.

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Hurst Castle lighthouse at around 6 am we're off to Weymouth with a nice force 4 southerly wind.

Lovely Morning

Perfect conditions for a channel crossing at the moment, but the fog and southerly wind is due later. Our original plan of getting up early might have just got us there in time, but don't think we have time today.

We have tides against us for going west in daylight till tomorrow morning. So may have an early start and head for Weymouth. France could still be an option later in the week.

Arrived Yarmouth

Took longer than we hoped, due to having to sail into the wind and thefore lots of tacks as you can see from our trails. (Click previous trail in the box on the left of map)

About to tuck into a pie we started cooking whilst sailing, and then straight to sleep.

Not going to bother getting up early for channel crossing, as the fog is forcast, and the wind may back to the south, both of which make things very difficult for a channel crosssing!

With wind in the south heading further west could be an option. We'll make some new plans in the morning.

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On the way to Yarmouth in the dark passing Lee on Solent. It's a lovely evening with force 5 gusting 6 giving us about 6 knots. Dark very early but the bright moonlight is helping.

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Slipped our mooring. Not sure if the channel trip is on tomorrow but heading west towards Yarmouth anyway.

The Plan

We are currently watching the weather, hoping that the windy conditions over the weekend will pass and allow us to fit in a last good trip of the year. Our plan was to leave today for Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight, and then set off for Cherboug from there in the early hours of Sunday.

The plan now is to set of for Yarmouth tomorrow, then across the channel on Monday.

We will try and post as we go (reception allowing) so watch this space!

NB. Blithe Spirit is NOT currently on the M40!