Tuesday 18 January – Gosport
No wind – frost on the pontoons.
Have breakfast in a cafe at about 7:30 (The baker in Gosport high street opens earlier than the trendy sailors cafe)
Depart at 9:00
I am getting more familiar with the boat so the departure is smooth.
Not much wind forecast, but some in the afternoon so another day under engine.
12:00 Just motoring past Selsey Bill, Mike on watch I am writing this log.
Mike did mention Christmas cake.
Played with the head sails, both sails out, manage 5.8 kts in 8 kts of wind on beam
Reef as we approach Beachy Head – with night falling we may get gusts.
Round Beachy Head as night falls
Drop sails and put out fenders as we pass Eastbourne pier.
On board chart plotter is not clear about harbour entrance and I overshoot , Navionics is better and find the channel (Just missing the wreck)
Approaching the lock, the entrance looks narrow, probably just because it’s night time.
Mike takes the stern line, we come in nicely starboard side to into the lock.
Nearly done.
We are allocated B4 by the harbour – not clear if that’s pointing towards the lock or away.
Is pointing towards, circle round using bow thruster.
Pretty good approach onto the finger pontoon, it a long one.
Mike secures the boat using a mid ship line.
I takes a few minutes to sort out the mooring.
Engine off – Mission completed at 19:00 – about 65 nm today.
