beach huts at Broadstairs |
North Foreland |
Once again we eschewed the coastal or 'overground' route via Copperas because we'd be there at low tide and with this much wind it's too risky to do a narrow shallow channel for the first time - we'll keep it for a calmer day.
So it was further north and then a port turn, back down the Queens Channel, and we have learned about how deceptive the wind strength is when running before compared to beating into it; we furled the foresail and hoisted a 2-reefed main, and then set off down Queens in a WSW direction. Guess what, the wind is not SSW, but more like SW to WSW - yep, on the nose.
We didn't fancy short-tacking all the way back, so it was more motor-sailing - just like old times (see May & Jun). The wind and seas gradually calmed down a little as we closed with the land along the Isle of Sheppey and into the Medway, where the foul tide against us started an hour earlier than the predicted HW. We arrived home into Gillingham Marina at 2130 - a 9 hour trip back, compared to the 7 hour trip out.
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