Have you been out today?

[Pugwash]

Rutland water, Sunday, rigged and wet at last. Tried new cut down genoa to yankee and spin locks. Crew delighted, no snagging, no tourettes, no furling to tack both sails. Managed 5 knts briefly in light winds on quick spin to make sure she floated and we remembered what to do.

Regards to all
Pugwash

[Ru88ell]

Launched at Queen Anne's Battery marina, Plymouth, on Friday, for a 4 day weekend training Erbster how to use Aurora (86).

[Ru88ell]

Yes. Just back from a 90 minute sail with Mrs Ru88ell in Plymouth Sound. 15 to 20 kts and raining, so not ideal. Erbster family were also out for their first family sail on Aurora.

[Ru88ell]

Yes. The weather was lovely today, but still blowing enough for a reef and staysail trip over Plymouth Sound to Cawsand Bay for lunch. Quite busy there, but enough shelter. Fabulous sail back. Evening sat in the sun - pizza on the Cobb oven and listening to the footy on Radio 5 Live.

[erbster]

We dipped our CC in the briney for the first time this weekend. Knowing the forecast, I had low expectations, but we rigged, launched, sailed, slept on and recovered the boat.

A lovely sail on reefed main and staysail in Plymouth sound from Queen Anne's Battery to the mouth of the Tamar.

First of many times, I hope!

[Ru88ell]

Only a little singlehanded potter in Plymouth Sound today waiting for a slot to retrieve on the ramp. Much less wind today than yesterday.

[erbster]

Lovely weekend in Chichester harbour: Saturday we poked our nose down from Northney, but the SW F6 persuaded us to spend the afternoon ashore. Sunday, a lovely sail from Northney to Itchenor, where we picked up a mooring for lunch. Breezy but a lovely day. It was also very nice of Hayling Island SC to lay on mass formation sailing across the channel, in case we were not finding it interesting enough..... ;>

[Chris Wicks]

Pondiko Nisi, (Mouse Island) is situated just off Cape Artimiso at the North Eastern tip of Evia. It is about 7Nm from our summer harbour of Platanias, Pelion. We have sailed around Pondiko Nisi a few times before but yesterday decided to land there and take a look around this pine covered uninhabited island. With perfect condition f4/5 N/E it was a fabulous reach all the way, with 1m swells and about 28c. After an explore we pressed on a little further to Agios Nikolaous on Evia where the church of that name is situated on a small island across a rocky water covered causeway.

On the return passage we were close hauled half a mile off the lee shore of Evia until we cleared Cape Artimiso. A beautiful unpopulated coast line with dramatic pine forest stopping abruptly at the edge of the crumbly sandstone cliffs. I was recounting to our visitors the story of the battle of Cape Artimiso in 480BC. 1200 Persian warships, part of the huge land sea invasion by Xerxes arrived at Cape Sepia on nearby Pelion (the coast of Magnasia). In a huge storm 400 invading ships were lost wrecked on the dangerous shore. The survivors took shelter at any safe harbour (including Platanias). They then were engaged in the battle of Artemison... And this historic place is where we have the good foutune to sail every day. Just wish there were a few more Cape Cutters about!!!


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Artemisium

[Michiel]

Set off yesterday 11:30 in blue skies with my son Stuart for a 2 day trip to Saint Maxime from our base of Agay.
Agay is a lovely little village between St Rafael and Cannes in the middle of the mountainous Esterel region. (South of France)
Full set of sails in winds varying from f0 to f4.
Arrived at the port at 17:30.
Very lively night in the harbour, with live music all around.
Also enjoyed moules/frites of the Roquefort verity, with a nice local Sauvignon blanc.

We both slept on deck, under the clear skies with a nice refreshing breeze.

Set of back this morning at 9:00 on a stiff land breeze.
At 11:00 the wind died completely for 15 min. after which it returned as a sea breeze. You can nearly set your watch on this!

Single reef, stay and Yankee made for relaxed sailing in a slightly 'Agitated' sea, as they call this here. Steady 4.5 / 5.0 knts of sailing for 4 hours.
Great.

The offer still stands, if anyone wants to come for a few days sailing!
We are here till beginning of Sept.

Michiel

[Dennis]

Yesterday, Kielder Water

11.00 Clear sky, no wind!

Lake level exceptionally high, the highest I have known it in 11 seasons of sailing there.

Set off motoring, lunch whilst sailing (gently) in middle of lake.
Wind dies, so decide to explore some of the creeks under power. Skirt around north shore in and out the various inlets.
Eventually pick up one of the mooring buoys which are scattered around the lake and take to the tender (which I have been towing) and land at one of the "art" installations which have appeared around the lake over the past few years.

On reboarding Mary Ann a SE breeze F1 has sprung up. So up with the mainsail and genoa, and run (goosewinged) to the head of the lake (Bakethin).

About turn and beat SE towards the dam. Wind gradually increases to about F2-3 easterly.

Four tacks and we pass Bull Crag headland, and then a run back up Whickhope inlet to the yacht club.

A gentle but enjoyable day on the water, 12.7 nm travelled about 8nm actually under sail alone.