Stormbound in Salcombe

10th August
We're nothing if not persistent. Off to the Channel Islands again. We had an early start and an easy passage to Alderney where we took the last free buoy in the harbour. We were secure but a bit uncomfortable as the harbour was unprotected from the swell kicked up by the North Easterly wind. Some shopping, a walk and lunch ashore then off again.

11th August
A late afternoon departure through the Swinge. No sign of the formidable overalls on the 23 mile hop to Guernsey. The wind was behind us but we needed every combination of sail as wind strength went through the whole spectrum. We rafted up in the inner harbour and were eventually allowed into the inner harbour at 1 am. The following day we has lunch with Joss and Mike followed by dinner with Nola and Andy getting back to the boat in time to watch the Olympic closing ceremony.

13th August
The forecast for the rest of the week is appalling. We thought we'd better get back to the UK. So we dragged ourselves out of bed outrageously early and headed back across the Channel. It was pretty miserable with a lumpy sea superimposed on a big swell. However, it was a swift passage and we were safely on a pontoon in Salcombe by 5 pm. We went ashore yesterday, did some shopping and had a long walk. We made it back in board shortly before the rain came. This morning (Wed 15th) it's windy and he rain is bucketing down. The forecast is for force 7/8, perhaps 9!