The original intention had been to trail the boat down to Bursledon after work on Friday, sleep in the back of the converted Ford van and be up bright and early to catch the 5 a.m. tide out for Cowes. Unfortunately there hadn’t been time for the necessary pre-planning and collection of gear etc., which is required before spending a night away from home comforts so it was decided just to pack a lunch for the Saturday, get an early night and be away as soon as possible. This was managed and by 5.45 a.m. I was on the road for the Hamble. No other fools being around good time was made and I got to Fareham in 1½ hours. It had been the intention to contact another D.C.A. member in the locality and sail in company but it was overlooked until the day and on arrival at 7 o’clock in the morning it seemed a bit short notice so I decided to change my departure point to Warsash and sail round to Hillhead which would give him a chance to wake up and get the tea going.

Boat rigged and afloat by 8.15 and away into the Solent with a bit of tide under me and a steady westerly 4 giving me plenty to do on the reach. Following the coast along well off from the shoals there it was difficult to determine my exact position and I sailed in close a couple of times to get a closer look at the beach. It took 1½ hours to get just past Hillhead and I arrived there about an hour before L.W. which enabled me to leave the boat on the deserted foreshore without fear of it floating away. A five minute walk and a welcome cup of tea at friend’s house. Could he come across to the Island? Yes. Half an hour later we were afloat again and hopeful of reaching Cowes for lunch. It soon became apparent that with the tide agin us and the wind backing a shade we wouldn’t make it. So we had to be content with Wootton Creek and arrived by 1.15 at dead low water. We managed to get tucked round the first bend and tied up to a cruiser stern for lunch. A short walk ashore to the point of land there and we were able to see the first boats of the Round the Island Race just appearing by Ryde at 2.15 p.m.

The wind seemed to be freshening a bit and as we were preparing to get going again it whistled in the rigging and we knew that it was going to be an interesting trip back to Warsash. Clearing Wootton beacons we squared away on a reach and started off down the Solent against the tide, making way for the racing fleet which came along with their gun’ls well under. One thing about that stretch of water is the variety of waves one encounters. During the sail every sort came along and dumped its ration of salt into the boat. Luckily the boat (a 12ft balanced lugsail) coped wonderfully and caused no anxiety and it was a question of sailing carefully and baling as required.

Two and a half hours later we arrived at Warsash, still fairly dry and comfortable. Just as we were getting the boat on the trailer a few spots of rain came down so we felt that we’d had the best of the day.

The total distance covered was over 20 sea miles which seemed fair going and a lot more experience and confidence gained in the boat. This account of a trip might serve to give some newcomers to the sport an indication of the scope and also encourage others to write in about their trips — long and short.