Jim Lad - not just a cabin boy!

Having safely arrived in Weymouth on Sunday, the forecast for the next couple of days included gale warnings in our sailing area (Selsy Bill to Lyme Regis). So we decided to stay put, tucked well inside the marina. Jim decided to utilise the time on Monday to practise his culinary skills. Not only did he produce a magnificent loaf of white bread,

of which Paul Hollywood would have been proud,

but he also cooked up a storm for our supper in the form of Spanish chicken with chorizo.

The weather calmed down on Tuesday evening. Wednesday morning 09:45 saw the crew of Follyfin preparing to set sail again but again into a SW wind. Once through the 10:00 bridge and out of the harbour, we decided not to take the inside passage around Portland Bill (which we had done in 2012 on our UK circumnavigation) because (1) it was a spring tide and (2) it would have been the wind against the tide situation causing serious choppiness on the sea's surface. This decision added about 5 miles to the passage but it was worth it to avoid the discomfort and the danger of being drawn into the dangerous Portland Race - the most dangerous extended area of broken water in the English Channel. Apparently quite substantial vessels drawn into it have been known to disappear without trace!

A good wind W/SW4 for sailing but because we were sailing west, several wide tacks were necessary across Lyme Bay. The wind died towards evening meaning engine was required so we decided to put into Brixham harbour for the night rather than carry on overnight to Falmouth. Finding the visitors' pontoon in the darkness was interesting but eventually managed and all were tucked up in bed by midnight.

Overnight the wind had veered to NE, and although light at first was very favourable for our course around Start Point and then west towards Falmouth. Downwind sailing is sooooo much more comfortable! Departure at 07:15 in beautiful sunshine and by 09:00 it was shorts and T-shirt weather. As the day wore on, the wind veered more and became stronger, extra layers of clothing were progressively donned and the sky clouded over. We were pleased to drop anchor in Falmouth harbour at 21:00.

Now on a pontoon berth with boats of all shapes and sizes as far as the eye can see 

and waiting for the rest of the crew to join us before tackling the Bay of Biscay. Skipper has been hard at work finishing fitting new equipment. Those boxes have got to go...

Whilst the rest of us have been helping, baking more bread, wholemeal this time, and provisioning the boat for the crossing. Weather forecast is not looking too promising, but we can only watch and wait.