Leaving Hillhead beach at 1O a.m. just as the tide had started to flow. I had hopes of making Keyhaven for the night and returning the following day.

The wind was very light south-westerly and was only sufficient to keep the balanced lugsail still in the Solent waters. After a short time it was evident that the tide and wind were agin the plans for the moment, so I raised a small jib to help matters, and resolved to make straight across to Cowes for lunch and then review any plans and timetables. It would be interesting there, even if noisy, as the power boat race was due the next day.

As it turned out I only managed King’s Quay by 1300 for lunch, the wind still almost non-existent. So Cowes it was.

Creeping round the corner of Old Castle Point with a bit of tide under me the wind started to fill in a bit so I decided not to waste it and carried on to Egypt Point prepared to dodge back to Cowes or if possible carry across to Beaulieu. The wind continued fine, I now had all I wanted, just sitting it out and the sea keeping down. Aiming for the East Lepe buoy for Beaulieu the tide was running well now and carried us so far past when close hauled that I decided to have a go at Newtown hoping to get in before the breeze died for the day.

All went well, and I sailed through the perches and channels against the ebb and eventually dropped sails to anchor at 5 p.m.: a distance of 13 miles in very poor conditions to start with.

The mud patch I had located was close to the old oyster beds there, and after tidying up I was able to step ashore and walk through to the Old Town Hall, church and several cottages that go to make up Newtown. I returned to the boat and supper, after which I turned in early as I had to get away approx 1½ hours after H.W. at 4 a.m. Unfortunately I over-slept a bit and didn’t wake till 5.30, so no lie in. I still had 9 inches of water under me so I had time to just about get breakfast under way and the cover off. After half way through I decided not to linger so hauled in the anchor and let drift with the tide while still eating. The air was so still and the water so calm that this was possible. In fact I hadn’t woken when the tide lifted us off the bottom it was so quiet, with just a flip from the paddle it was possible to help in the channel, rig the boat and tidy up before I had cleared the entrance by 6.15.

There was just enough wind outside to fill the sails and stem the tide still ebbing towards the Hurst narrows. Making along the shore at a snail’s pace. I gradually worked along to Thorness bay. I had plans to get off Cowes by the start of the race and it seemed that I might just do it, but the way that I did is definitely not recommended.

Approaching Gurnard the wind died right away and the tide had turned with me and was now carrying me along at the same speed I had been sailing. Coming up to Egypt point I could see that the starting lane was being kept clear so got the oars out to row clear. This meant that the tide kept me drifting down and right into the large spectator fleet of launches and motor boats of every size, nerve racking to say the least.

Fortunately I kept afloat though I had a good rocking and as I got past the guard boat the roar of competitors starting and the 16 spotter planes circling reached a deafening noise.

After all that kafuffle the sea was very stormy so I kept rowing across the Solent well onto the Bramble when a slight breath made it seem worthwhile to ship the oars.

Gradually I crept across and finally made Hillhead at noon, another 9 miles under the keel,

An uneventful trip with several changes of plan which one has to be prepared to do and a night out in one of the loveliest places in the Solent which makes the trouble to get away well worthwhile.