We set off as planned on June 2nd, a little later than planned but never mind. One of the deck lights blew then night before and Cecelia had to rush to an outlet to get one for us and bring it to the boat, as of course we did not have any transport. Renee delivered the bimini just in time, not a very good job but we will have to live with it.
Our crew, Will and Tom had a good look around the boat, offered suggestions and had compiled a shopping list which kissed goodbye to another couple of hundred.
At 1440 we slipped the lines and we were off. As we went down the alley heading for the main channel of the Hamble, Mr Chattyman ( we don't know his real name ) called to us and wished us good luck. Did he know something we didn't ?
Down the Hamble, out into the Solent and through the Needles. Tom had set the waypoints and Lagos here we come.
Will had worked out the watch system, 3hrs watches continuing 24hrs a day. He and Tom stood the watches on their own and Susan and I kept each other company, yeh ok, how sweet!!
Our first night watch was midnight until 0300 going across the channel through the shipping lanes. This was a first for us and keeping an eye out for lights, then checking the radar and AIS certainly kept us on our toes. "Whats that" said Susan, pointing at a strange glow behind us on the horizon, "oh, its just the moon", phew !!
Our crew, Will and Tom had a good look around the boat, offered suggestions and had compiled a shopping list which kissed goodbye to another couple of hundred.
At 1440 we slipped the lines and we were off. As we went down the alley heading for the main channel of the Hamble, Mr Chattyman ( we don't know his real name ) called to us and wished us good luck. Did he know something we didn't ?
Down the Hamble, out into the Solent and through the Needles. Tom had set the waypoints and Lagos here we come.
Will had worked out the watch system, 3hrs watches continuing 24hrs a day. He and Tom stood the watches on their own and Susan and I kept each other company, yeh ok, how sweet!!
Our first night watch was midnight until 0300 going across the channel through the shipping lanes. This was a first for us and keeping an eye out for lights, then checking the radar and AIS certainly kept us on our toes. "Whats that" said Susan, pointing at a strange glow behind us on the horizon, "oh, its just the moon", phew !!
We handed over to Tom at 0300 and hit the sack. Following day was uneventful, with a smooth crossing and then around Ushant. We all chatted and got to know each other a little better. Will Ashley our skipper for the trip is 34yrs old, lives half the year on Tortola in the Carribean and is a vegetarian ( mmm, a bit of head scratching what to dish up for dinner ). Tom Auckland is 19yrs old and lives wherever he puts his head down it would seem. I can only describe him as having effervescent enthusiasm. We wasn't even getting paid for this trip, he was doing it to build his sea delivery miles.
Our 0300-0600 watch I found a little nerve wracking as we passed quite closely tothe islands prior to our approach to Camaret. Then as dawn started to break we were able to see land. The sea was like silk. We had an awesome sunrise and were greeted by a huge dolphin which stayed with us for quite some time.
We tied up alongside in Camaret at 0945 4th June, the first leg of our trip completed.
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