This is take 2 - all due to the internet line crashing as i was uploading it so please forgive me if this falls below standard!!!
On Sunday night i rechecked the weather and the focast for Monday was force 4 in the morning increasing to 6 perhaps 7 in the late afternoon. Also to consider was the fact that the RIb was in Itchenor, The Hobie somewhat abandondened on the slip in Cowes. Further,being Cowes week the racing usually starts at 10-10.30am and we would need to be clear of the area by that time to ensure we didnt get in the way of the 1,000 yachts that are racing this year.
Although Lymington is only 8 miles from Cowes we also faced a 4-5 knto tide against us and the wind was a South Westerly - a full on headwind.
This all meant that there exited a window of oportunity to leave Cowes early, avoid the racing yachts and the strong wind and get to Lymington. This would enable camp to be moved ahead and reunite the RIB and Hobie once again in the same location.
So it was decided to move on Monday - Giz and Tony moving on to near Puddletown in Dorset, roughly equidistant between Lymington and Weymouth - our next planned port of call.
We packed up and left camp at 6.30am, collected Charlie from Itechenor and finally arrived in Cowes at 8.45am.
We were releived to see the Hobie still in place - nobody seemed to be bothered at all - much to our surpricse - we quickly rigged her and launched her. Having done so we were very please to see Ellen McArther on the Island Sailign club jetty, adjacent to the one the Hobie was on, with her dog, setting off for a days racing, sadly we didnt get to chat as she supports the Rainbows charity also.
It took from 9am to 12.45 to sail the 8 miles to Lymington. Our GPS recorded a distance of 25 miles covered - all due to tacking between the mainland and The Isle of White many times to reach our destination.
Having found a place to leave the Hobie at the Lymington Town Sailing club and the RIB on the Harbour masters jetty, we set off to Bucklers Hard for a qucik sandwich.
This was a very exciting journey - the wind had - as predicted - increased and was now blowing a good force 6, perhaps 7. the VHF in the RIb was constantly ringing out Maydays as yachts collided and had engine failure - to such an extent that the Coastguard ordered a total radio silence!
We passed through the fleet at 25 knts - ti was stunning, all the boats heeling over with numerous crews sitting on the rail to counterbalance the boat - i have raced here several times and love the buzz and atmosphere of it all - and it seems infectous, all the others including Tony, Stuart, Pete etc.. all felt the same.
On the way back from Butlers Hard, i put the RIB through her paces, 20 knts plus into the wind and seas, luckily the later were small due to the shelter offered by the Isle of white - nonetheless, it was a ride that excited us all!
Giz collected us at 6.30 and we returned to our new campsite - about and hour and quarter by road from Lymington.
On first impresssions the site was good (we have evolved a scoring system for each element of each site from view, showers etc, and the immediate environment was promising - located in a wooded disused quarry - THATS WHERE I ENDED!
Where do i start?
Trains - yes the tent is 50 meters from a railway line that each time a train heads North - it Hoots is horn - right by our tent - as it approaches the level crossing near the site entrance - we all still jump every time. I can confirm that the trains start at 6.30am!!
What next?
The Loos - oa reasonable looking loo block - i selected trap No2 for my morning constitutional and in i went. On closing the door i was surprised by a sign that read "please shut toilet lid after use" Seemed somewhat bossy?
I duly prepared myself for the tak at hand and having removed the appropriate clothing, lifted the loo seat - to find myself staring down at 10ft cesspuit. Undeterred i adopetd the pose, but found myself imagining numerous small children who fell down the loo never to be found again. I must confess that i normally loiter when undertaking this task, but today was out in 35 seconds flat - i dont look forward to repeating it tomorrow.
So the Loo was done and it was off the the shower block, which for some reason is a fruther 100 meters away. I was drowned in yet another downpour en-route which annoys.
The showers are a key element to us all - when camping. I can confirm that on this occasion that i was wetter and walmer before the shower than i was after it - Really not good.
Finally there is a quarry 100meters away and the lorries are fitted with reversing beepers - which they used with regularity this morning.
TUESDAY 5th AUGUST
A no sail day due to high winds again
Clothes washing etc this am - trying to ensure all as clean as possible to keep Caroline sweet on my retrun home.
I popped to Carolines Aunt and Uncle - Mike and Jill Olivers this afternoon for tea - as they are only 20 mins up the raod - lovely to catch up - and they have 2 new puppies - Jack Russell and boarder terrier - great.
Tonight is a quiet night in - planning for tomorrow.
This morning i checked the weather and tomorrow looked potentially sailable, Thursday a right off and Friday ideal with a 3-4 North westerly.
So the latest plan is to try and reach Weymouth tomorrow - 40 miles, and on Friday to try and get all the way from Weymouth to Salcombe, because Saturday is a no go as the high pressure moves in. I havent re-checked it this evening but i am concerned as it is a very small window of opertunity - fingers crossed
Oh nearly forgot Giz went to the loo just before bed and got lost - nearly had to send a search party out.