Sunday 3 July
No sooner had I settled back in than it was time to set off again. Second Mate was more alert this morning after a good rest yesterday, and helmed me very competently (after all, she has had OYT South training aboard John Laing, you know) down the Inner Swashway and West. First Mate raised my lovely big mainsail into a grey and overcast sky, Skipper added the genoa for balance and off we romped into a sunny Yarmouth, Isle of Wight. My crew were reminiscing about the wealth of experience they have gained sailing the lovely waters of the Solent over the last four years. I’ve got some of the grazes to prove that, but some interesting miles under my keel too (a well-known nautical expression, not meant to be taken literally for this boat – see technical page: Ed). The Mate’s mother had travelled from North Wales to join us aboard for supper, cooked by the Mate who seems to enjoy my galley facilities. Tonight’s menu was fresh salmon pasta bake with cavolo nero stir fried in olive oil with garlic and cherry tomatoes, a lemon meringue roulade (thanks Waitrose) and a bottle of good Gavi. Feels like the holidays are here!