Day 5 - Tuesday, June 24th - another fairly early start, departing at 07.45 to make sure we rounded the Bill at the best time (around 09.00) and had assistance from the tide across Lyme Bay as we had a long way to go, heading for Dartmouth, some 54 miles in all. Still no decent breeze so, once again, the engine did all the hard work, although we did have the main up for some gentle assistance.
Apart from the lack of breeze, we could not have asked for finer weather for the long crossing.  Sunny and very smooth seas so we just had to sit and watch the world go by while the autopilot kept us on course.
Definite highlight of the whole day was a visit by a pod of dolphins that played with us for around ten minutes.  Just fantastic to see with the water so clear so you could see them above and below the water.  Magical.  I hope some of the photos turn out well.
Arrived in Dartmouth safely shortly after 3.00 and now all secure in the Darthaven Marina, where we will stay for two nights.

Day 4 - Monday, June 23rd - no sailing today. Instead, a nice lie-in and late breakfast before departing on a scorchingly hot bike ride to explore the Island of Portland with the objective of getting to the Bill and going up the lighthouse. As the northern end of the Island is some 170 metres high, this involved a long, hot push at times but well worth it. And, of course, what goes up must come down so there were several enjoyable freewheel sessions, some at alarming high speed. Portland Museum was a small delight and surprise on the way and the lighthouse worth all the effort and gave a good view of the "Portland Race" developing as the tide changed.  Certainly one to be sure you pick your passage time carefully.
We must be fitter than we thought as the bike rides have been less of a strain than expected, even if we do push up the steep bits, and very enjoyable. On the way back, we visited the fort built on Henry the Eighth's instructions - very interesting.

Day three - Sunday, June 22nd - an early start to catch the tide.  Not a universally popular idea with the First Mate as we left Yarmouth at 07.25 on another beautiful sunny morning.  Very few other boats about at that time (can't think why) and we sped off towards Portland averaging around 9 knots over the ground with the tidal assistance for our hard working Yanmar engine.  Sadly, the lovely weather meant any attempt to sail would have doomed us to a long, hot day making little more progress than the tide would give us so we still have yet to raise the sails on this, our "sailing" adventure.
We made such good time that we diverted to Lulworth Cove to see if there might be space to anchor for an early lunch but it looked too busy to practice our rusty anchoring skills in full view of a large and interested audience looking for some entertainment.  Instead, we headed on to Portland marina, arriving  at 12.40. Very good time and rather earlier than I had anticipated, so there was much joy on the part of FM.
Interesting place - our first visit to a new marina that was only opened in 2009, set in the vast open space of the old naval base. Very smart facilities and a good light lunch at the marina pub / restaurant but with a sense of it still being something of a work in progress with new roads, undeveloped building sites and a fair amount of commercial activity all around, not to mention the air sea rescue helicopter coming and going.
Still, no complaints about the continuing lovely weather that looks set to give us a pleasant long hop across Lyme Bay, heading for Dartmouth, on Tuesday.  Off to find somewhere to eat in Weymouth tonight as the marina restaurant is closed on Sunday and Monday nights, just when we want it. Ho hum.
The log shows us as only having travelled around 34 miles rather than the 40 odd miles distance involved - the wonders of the "road" moving in the same direction as you, like a gigantic travelator.

Day Two - Saturday, June 21st - no sailing today as we have enjoyed a perfect, cloudless sunny day using the new bikes to go up to the Needles to watch the Round The Island competitors. The lovely weather meant very little wind, however, so progress for the hundreds of boats competing can best be described as "stately", I think, with a fair bit of drifting once around the Needles, including the occasional bumps between boats as they were at the mercy of the tide.
Then down to Freshwater Bay (deciding against a swim, although it did look tempting) and on to the Red Lion for a well earned beer or two and a light lunch in the garden. What sunny summer days should be about- let's have many more of them.
Off to Weymouth tomorrow.  The forecast is for more of the same fine weather, the breeze, what there is of it, should be behind us so it will be a long hot day on the water, probably having to use the engine a fair bit again, I suspect.  We shall see.

So, the end of Day One and we are finally under way after so much anticipation and so many changes to schedule. With welcome help from Liam and the Finesse crew to put the repaired jib back on, we left Haslar shortly before 2 o'clock and motored through a busy Solent full of boats practicing for tomorrow's Round The Island race. Despite being a lovely day for a sail, the wind was on the nose and the tide against us and we were keen to get a good berth in Yarmouth for two nights so the iron mainsail was the order of the day.
Mission accomplished as far as that was concerned but the "landing" resulted in some minor damage, sadly, as we were caught by an unexpected cross-current and were pushed onto a sharply angled end of the finger pontoon.  Some minor gel-coat repair will be necessary! An annoying end to a great first day, enjoyed in shorts as we enjoyed the sunshine.
Looking forward to watching the RTI race for a change, from a vantage point above the Needles.  Go, Finesse!
22 miles logged, all under engine.

Time for a break!

Windhover will finally get to explore beyond the Solent and Christchurch Bay this summer.  Using the Boatlogger site to show where we go and this blog to record thoughts, happenings and whatever comes to mind from day to day will become our online Logbook for us to look back on and allow anyone interested to see how we are doing.