Weymouth 14th July 2017

Weymouth mark two. This morning we had a 0730 set off, slightly apprehensive we set off. The main sail went up in the harbour and the genoa (genny) followed as soon we were out. We were sailing straight away but the wind was very gusty and I'm afraid I sounded like someone with a severe case of Tourette's. However once we'd reefed the genny things were a lot calmer. Amazingly the wind was in the correct direction and we could actually sail with the autopilot on.

As we would be going over a long period of time and over two tides I had done my work with tidal vectors, this meant that the course we were steering wasn't actually towards our first waypoint. You need to believe in your navigation as the tide takes you one way and then the other, if you have got the heading right you end up exactly where you want to be.

The sailing only lasted for 2 1/2 hours and sadly we had to pull in the genny and start the engine. This was about the time we were meeting all the ships coming out of the shipping lane. It was very busy and at times it is hard to judge  distances. Towards the end of the journey we had to slow down for one ship which meant for the next one not only did we slow down but also had to change course. But our motto has always been better safe than sorry. Apart from the commercial traffic we only saw one other yacht in the distance throughout the crossing.

The Bill of Portland was slowly coming into view, it is nice when you know we were arriving at the right place. I heard our name on the radio very faintly, John thought I was hearing things as we were totally by ourselves in the sea and not another vessel in sight. I went onto the radio and found it was our friends from Chris and Carole hailing us. They were passing St Albans Head and also heading for Weymouth.

As we made our way towards our waypoint we realised we knew that we would not make the 1800 hr bridge. We did try - as we passed the pier head bang on 1800, I radioed harbour control to see if wed missed it. At this stage we hadn't as the bridge was just being raised and there were boats to come out and boats to come in. We were informed if we were in sight of the bridge and it was still up they would hold it for us. A load of sailing dinghies came out and we had to avoid them so we didn't make the bridge. However we had the choice of the waiting pontoon and were rather pleased with our entrance. It was one of those moorings we were pleased with. Especially as we would have had a huge audience if we'd messed it up. Chris had already told us that if we were on the waiting pontoon just smell Bennetts' fish and chips. John was dispatched up the wall and came back with sausage and chips as we couldn't have fish and chips two nights running. It went down very well with a glass of shandy.

First impressions of Weymouth are very good. These photos are ones I took with my phone as we waited for the bridge.

The time passed very quickly and Chris rang us to say he'd rearranged the berthing arrangements and we were now next to them. It was great to have Carole and Chris on the pontoon waiting to catch our ropes.

Sailing information.
57.6 miles  - 10 hours 45 minutes
You get stamps at this marina which is part of a chain, so its pay for 6 nights and 7 nights free. Just over £30  per night.
Brilliant showers. You have a little room with a shower, sink and toilet.
Laundry - £2 a wash. How cheap is that! £1 for 20 minutes in the drier.
Marina staff really friendly and helpful.
Best wifi yet.