I eventually left Poole Harbour, I could have stayed for much longer…
Leaving on the ebb, negotiating the shallows between South Deep and Poole Entrance, avoiding the chain ferry and raising sail once into the Swashway. A slow sail, always for now, brought me to within sight of Old Harry’s Rocks where I turned more west to follow the coast along to Portland Harbour.
On arriving I anchored up in the NW corner of the harbour close to Castle Cove Sailing Club and the small boat moorings. I’d planned on leaving the following day, but got myself into a debate over the best time etc to round the notorious Portland Bill. A scene of some of the most dangerous tidal streams in the UK…
I ended staying an extra night which served me well, as I took the tender ashore, replenshed some supplies, found a great chippy, and sent a couple of postcards to followers.
That second eve I phoned the National Coast Watch and spoke with them about my plan for rounding the Bill, the gentleman I spoke to was very calm and reassuring, putting me at rest over my plan. It all turned out to be fine. The wind and tide in my favour.
Some broken water on the final approach from the east, and close enough to the shore to have a conversation with those watching! I sailed around and out into Lyme Bay. Thence followed a very slow drift in negligable wind to Beer. Here I anchored in the dark after arriving at 9pm ish.
Sounding in, listening to the surf on the beach I couldn’t see, going over the tidal height differences to put out enough scope to account for the remaining tide, yet not end up swinging too close in. The wind was off-shore, but the swell rolling in became the bane of my non-sleep through the night.
Crashing and banging around, rolling 45deg to 45deg, wondering about the anchor holding - it was a long night.
Next morning as soon as it was light, I got straight outside, hauled in 40+m of chain and anchor and escaped out to sea. Here I hove-to, had some breakfast and headed for Brixham.