TripSailor.com® Sailing Blogs

Friday 23rd July Much brighter today, finally take the boom tent down. Spend the morning stocking up on food and checking out the long range forecast while I have internet access. Looks like a series of small fronts coming through over the next week with mostly fresh SW or W winds. Wednesday looks like the best chance of heading home with a N or NW wind forecast. Will depart the Yacht Haven today and go back to the piece and quiet of Channals Creek this afternoon with the flood tide. Take a nice long shower after lunch as it might be my last opportunity until I get home now.

Depart at 1500hrs in light winds with the last of the flood. A leisurely motor up Carrick Roads in a NW 1-2 taking in the view, lots of yachts and dinghies out sailing in the Roads. Plenty of time, so decide to carry on past Channals Creek and have look up the river. Slack water as I head up the King Harry Passage, might even stay on one of the visitors pontoons or anchor somewhere different. On past the laid up ships and Smugglers Cottage at Tolverne. Spot a lovely anchorage off one of the creeks but there is no phone signal and I need contact with my wife who hasnt been well over last few days. Carry on up to Malpas past the two visitors pontoons. Just a few boats on the first one and the second one near Malpas is completely empty. When I look at the sign showing the charges I can see why. Its £12.00 for an overnight stay for any size boat, unfair on small boats. The tide has now turned and there is a light breeze so I turn back for Channals Creek, engine off and roll out the Genoa. Sliding along gently with the tide on a warm and sunny late afternoon, taking in the views of the steep wooded shores, perfect. Loose the wind a little in the King Harry Passage but determined to sail all the way. 1830hrs by the time I get to Channals Creek and drop the hook. A really enjoyable afternoon exploring up the river, followed by a leisurely late dinner watching the sun go down.