All play and no work makes Jack a dull boy is the modified adage as adopted by all onboard Ruffian today. Fiona had a very productive morning putting together code for a client and Iain spent the morning talking to clients and colleagues before dialing into one of their systems and fixing some IT issues. So with the work done it was time to play.

From Yarmouth there is a ferocious tide running through the Hurst narrows at up to 5 knots, it's therefore critical to get this right and then enjoy the free ride west. This was exactly the plan for the afternoon and depending upon both visibility and forecast we would make for either Studland, Portland or Brixham.

Leaving Yarmouth we were greeted by what can only be described as a Carlsberg day. If Carlsberg made sailing days they would be 12 knots of breeze just aft of the quarter, a little sunshine, but not too much and then as the day drew to a close the breeze to die off leaving just a gentle swell. So up went the sails, out went the 'line of plenty' and as we exited the needles channel the mist lifted giving us blue skies over the needles lighthouse. This really was a nice goodbye from the Solent after the 1000's of miles that we have raced here over the past 20+ years. We have seen some of the best and worst sailing conditions in the Solent from its infamous short chop to idyllic sea breezes and today really fell into the idyllic category.

To top it all off just as we were turning right after the needles channel we hooked a cheeky little fish. This is when we made the discovery that 6 ½ knots of boatspeed and dainty fish lips don't make a good dinner based combination and in no time the blighter had jumped off the hook. The line of plenty was cast out again and within seconds we had another! The boat slowed this time a small fight ensued, upon reeling in the line we discovered the fish were just playing games with us, as there was nothing to see. This must be like some form of game of chicken to the fish, so today they won the battle but we live to fight another day tomorrow.

As always at 3pm the coastguard came onto the radio with the weather forecast and gunnery information for Weymouth bay. The forecast looked amazing until midnight when the phrase visibility poor to very poor rang out. Do we fancy sailing through the night in fog to the delights of Weymouth? Er No. Course was altered to make Studland bay just outside Poole and it was time to deploy anther new toy.

This new toy is a Mason Supreme anchor and 60m of chain. This anchor had legendary holding abilities and really is the cruising sailor's passport to both freedom and cheap living. This very expensive and shiny piece of equipment was launched from the front of the boat when we found the right spot and set (dug into the bottom) instantly. There was still a bit of a swell running and as Iain wanted to play with his new toy we decided to pull it out and move somewhere more sheltered. The anchor came up with no problems and the evidence of its set was clear to see, mud, mud, glorious mud. We moved a couple of hundred yards closer to old harry and we are happily swinging in the last of the Carlsberg swell.

Ruffian in Yarmouth before we head out of our 'home waters'.


Goodbye needles. You've been good friends.


Navigating across Christchurch bay. Who's that helping Fiona?