Tide, Wind and Weather.
On Saturday we got out on the Solent in our little yacht. The tides are something we seriously have to consider when planning a trip as the Solent is renowned for it's interesting and strong tidal ebbs and flows. With it being a new moon it was particularly full and strong.
We motored out of the River Medina around 10.00 the weather was muggy and murky with a few spots of drizzle in the air. We hoped for a little breeze enough to fill the sails and give us enough power to fight the tide but once out pass the breakwater at East Cowes, not a whisper of the wind was evident.
So while we waited for the breeze to fill, Skipper cast out the fishing line and we motored East.
This is the new marker for Shrape, a shallow area where many boats get it wrong and bump their bottoms on the mud when racing.
This is the new marker for Shrape, a shallow area where many boats get it wrong and bump their bottoms on the mud when racing.
Early afternoon and still no wind and no fish either! We decided to make for our mooring and had our picnic lunch as we motored back up the river. The tide was rushing out and the sun broke through.
Our new outboard did it's work well and was very economical on fuel too, just wish we could have had a sail though...
Clipper Round The World 2011
Sunday was a completely different day a good breeze with warm sunshine. The Solent tide still very strong. Not us sailing today though instead we walked round to view the start of The Clipper- Round The World Yacht Race from the sea wall in front of the Royal Yacht Squadron at Cowes.
It is a race created by Sir Robin Knox- Johnson for ordinary people to be able to go on an " once in a lifetime" extra ordinary adventure! Please go to the website below to find out more and follow the race.
See my June blog too, we were sailing alongside one of these yachts ( for a very short while) before they raised all their sails and we off.
I love to watch the starts of the big races and wish them good seas and safe journeys.
Sailing is such an adventure even if you are only in a little dinghy pottering up and down the river. With the water,breeze and a sound little boat you can let your imagination travel.
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