After negotiating a somewhat tricky exit from Yarmouth Harbour due to the 25 knots of wind, we set sail towards Newtown Creek, about 3 miles away, but spent 4 hours in the western Solent tacking and jybing to give the boat a beasting in order to try to break it. With reefs in the main and genoa, we were still managing 7.5 knots when we noticed a minor problem with our fresh water, or rather, the 100 litres that had disappeared since leaving Yarmouth! A short investigation indicated that a long investigation would be needed at Newtown Creek. A radio check to Solent Coastguard then told me that our VHF radio was not behaving properly either, more work for Newtown Creek. As you can see from the photo, fixing the radio was not a 5 minute job...the cable needed replacing between the radio and the bottom of the mast in the boat which involved taking down the entire roofing panel system, and soldering several wires together with the boat rocking in a Force 6. While I battled with this, Mark and Tracey battled with the water leak which also proved very taxing. Anyway, 5 hours later, we think we now have both working again, so tomorrow will be the test. Heading for Portsmouth Harbour again tomorrow to take cover from the strong winds and snow predicted for tomorrow. I suspect that we may be blown directly onto the Haslar Marina visitors' pontoon and straight into the Mary Mouse 2 lightship bar for some dutch courage...