Saturday 17th December 2005 – Haslar
Went to Haslar in company with Kotka. Blew a good 5-6 from the NW. Blue skies and sunshine and a cracking sail to Horse Sand Fort. Kotka banged on to windward, but we just motored in and enjoye the last of the afternoon sunshine. We hit 8.4 knots at one point when the wind freed a bit. Had one reef in which we had to mess around with in the Channel going out to get the sail to set right – after that it was no bother.
We went to the Clarence pub in Gosport and Helen cooked us dinner aboard Kotka. We provided breakfast the next morning and it being windless, bright and sunny we motored home. It was simply wonderful being out there in the fresh air.
We then repaired to the Blue Bell for a super Xmas lunch. It really doesn’t get any better than this!
Thursday 29th December 2005 – Ocean Village, Southampton
Went to Ocean Village with the boys – it was VERY cold. Socold that Selene was iced in at EYH. We cracked the ice as we motored out. There was no wind, so we motered all the way. The boys took turns to steer until they got too cold.
Ollie relaxed and smoked in the sunshine
Eventually we got to Ocean Village, where we moored and got warm again. We then went for a beer and met a few of the LOA people, and then retired for a rest.
Then we were off to the Legend Owners’ Xmas bash at La Margherita. Great fun was had by all!
Friday 30th December 2005 – Ocean Village, Southampton
The boys went home overnight, and as the weather was bad, we stayed another day in Southampton, and did some sight-seeing – having never really taken any time there before.
Saturday 31st December 2005 – Haslar
On new Year’s Eve we sailed round to Haslar, Jullia taking the helm on a nice reach. We had one reef in and she learned a bit about bearing away. It got very windy at Gilkicker Point, and I decided to motor in from there, but we had some problems with the engine cutting, so sailed right up to the harbour entrance and motor-sailed in with a very dodgy engine. This mysteriously vanished as we got into the quieter part of Portsmouth Harbour and Haslar, so that she was as smooth as anything as we moored – A very empty haslar!
We spent New year’s Eve eating at Levant in Gunwharf, and later back on Selene – a very quiet affair.
Sunday 1st January 2006 – Haslar -> home
New Year’s day we sailed back in quite a breeze, and still had engine problems, so had to short tack up the Emsworth Channel. Yuk. Any, turns out that we were running out of fuel – despite the gauge showing plenty, and as it turns out, Slene’s fuel consumption is much much greater than expected. Fortunately, the Volvo MD2020, self -bleeds, so it wasn’t too bad a job to get going again.