Onwards to Eastbourne.

We knew it would be a quick journey to Eastbourne, about Three and a half hours. We didn't know what a strange journey it would be. Firstly the halliard got caught round the mast light as we were trying to put up the mainsail. It was very lumpy and rock and roll so there was no way we could retrieve the situation at sea, so no sail. Although we would have motor sailed that day the sail does stabilise the boat.

Also almost as soon as we had switched the radio on there was a mayday starting. We had this on the radio throughout the journey, it was unsure what had happened but it was thought two boats had collided during the night. One person had been found and three missing. Over the journey we heard another person has been found. Sadly we later found out on the news that this person was dead.

The whole scenario unfolding was amazing, so many people were involved in the search. We heard the search patterns change as more information was gained. They also asked other boats not involved to keep an eye out. One of the search boats had found an oil slick, then another boat some wreckage and other a fender. We then spotted a fender, we weren't able to retrieve it, but were able to radio in and report it with it's position. Speaking to a German boat at the marina, they were glad we'd radioed it in as they too had spotted it but were worried their English would not be up to it.

The whole experience just shows what a wonderful system we have with the coastguard, RNLI and various other folk like the fishermen and boats from the wind farm. Sadly we found out on the news later that although one man had been found clinging to a buoy by a fisherman, this raised the alarm, one body was recovered and the search for the two missing men was called off. As yet it is unknown what caused the boat to sink. Shows why you should always have life jackets on.

The journey put everything into perspective, however, as we were coming into Eastbourne a fisherman was dropping a net between two badly identifiable floats. I found out the next day that some friends had been caught by such a net earlier in the week and had to be brought back to Eastbourne by the RNLI. To add insult to injury the nets were by the safe water mark. Apparently the fishermen have been asked not to drop their nets there but they still are. We will be very vigilant on the way out.

This was only the second time we have seen wildlife apart from birds. We saw two porpoises on the way to Eastbourne. Always pleased to see them.

Although we were up and raring to go this morning, the weather forecast was not suitable. However the annoying thing was the weather we had today did not resemble the forecast in any way so we could have gone. . We will try again tomorrow. I did the washing instead!

Sailing information.
Distance 21.1 miles
Time - 3 hours to the harbour but missed 11.30 lock so got on 12 noon lock.