The final leg of a cruise has taken a while to write up. Real life sometimes imposes priorities of its own. Anyway, as the title may indicate, the final leg was by far the best sail of the summer so far.

Ramsgate had suddenly started to fill up with Ramsgate Week participants. So, we had to vacate our berth 'as soon as possible'. As soon as possible in our case meant a quite reasonable 6 o'clock departure - tide with us most of the way (always a bonus). And with wind forecast W to SW 4-5 (occasionally 6) we had the makings of a great passage.

Slipped our mooring on time, hoisted the main in the harbour and proceeded along the yacht track out. So far, so good. A mile and a half out and time to head NNE - and time to switch off the engine. Utter bliss. Wind speed somewhat disappointing but helped along by the tide we still made 5.5kts over the ground. Not too bad and as far as I was concerned this trip was going to take as long as it took.

Once we cleared North Foreland, wind picked up somewhat and now we were really cruising. Sit back, enjoy the scenery and let the autopilot do all the work. Surprised by the number of wind farms. More and more of them every time we come this way.

We tore through Kentish Deep at a rate of knots (more wind) and by the time we had to alter course towards The Sunk we were already an hour ahead of schedule. The forecast 'occasionally 6' materialised in due course, so reef in the main and a couple of turns on the genoa. Boat speed by now consistently over 8kts. Not even the rain/thunder could wipe the smirk off my face. By the time we passed Landguard Guapa was surfing along as she shot up into the Orwell. The bow wave must have been something else, like something out of a Mobo wake shot.

We kept sailing till Pin Mill and took the laundry down as the wind started to drop. Motored the last few miles as the crew busied themselves getting the boat ready to come alongside and to go home. Warm glow of satisfaction after what was the best sail - by far - in a long time.

And that warm glow stayed with me for a couple of days. Its days like these that make this whole boat-owning lark worthwhile. Just wish there were a lot more of them.