[Jim H]

I haven't had any scary operations lately (glad you're better, Alex), but I have been sailing.

We just got back from three more days of sailing on the Solent, including our first trip to the Beaulieu River, where the kids had a great time exploring with the dinghy. We visited Buckler's Hard, where much of Admiral Nelson's fleet was constructed with timber from the New Forest.

We also spent two nights moored in front of the Folly Inn (again) on the Medina River on the Isle of Wight, and we spent a full day hiking up the river to Newport, where we visited a classic boat museum and explored the waterfront before having lunch at the Bargeman's Rest.

We had little wind, but the sun was excellent. Not bad at all for an unplanned February cruise.

Full photo gallery:

February Break Sail 2009

Sample Images:

Prepping for possibly damp weather. We did use the radar in some fog.

The kids abandoned us on the boat.

A river boat of the type rented in "Three Men in a Boat" by Jerome K. Jerome.

Checking out Newport's waterfront.

No pfd, but we are at dock...

Our small chart plotter does the job.

Next cruise should be for a week in April. Maybe to Poole or farther west.

 

[sailingdog]

Pretty boat Jim...

 

[Jim H]

Pretty boat Jim...

Thanks, SD. She's a tough boat.

In the end, we might take the "continual upgrade" approach and have her a long while. Some new shiny black Harken self-tailing winches came to mind as we were sailing her last weekend, and maybe a new Harken main sheet set...

 

[sailingdog]

LOL... that's usually a good approach to take. Especially if you don't have a driving need to have the biggest boat there to compensate for other shortcomings...