Another beautiful clear and crisp morning. We prepared Seraphim for a short jolt over the Solent from Yarmouth towards Bucklers Hard in the river Beaulieu.

We slipped lines at 1020 and once out of Yarmouth harbour, raised sails and tacked our way over to the entrance of the river Beaulieu. Seraphim performed wonderfully. She was easy to sail and tack and almost performed like a large dinghy. By 1200 we were sailing the transit and over the bar and into the river. We almost sailed the entire way to Bucklers Hard, but unfortunately the wind died and we had to engage the use of our engine.

By 1315 we were at our berth and 20 minutes later sitting in the serene gardens of the Master Builder, supping a pint of real ale, first one for many months.

It was here ,in the early 18th century, where many naval ships and others were built and launched. In those days there must have been a hive of activity here. Indeed you can still the cut out shapes of hulls, where the ships were built and subsequently launched. The is a maritime museum here and in Beaulieu itself and motor museum, Beaulieu house and the ruins of an abbey.

Today the long awaited date of semi freedom has arrived. The day began with the usual early rise and drive down to Universal Marina on the river Hamble, Seraphim’s home. I arrived at the marina at 0700 and began to ready Seraphim for our trip to the Solent. Ed and I planned to sail the Solent for a few days and get some resemblance or normality back in our lives.

Our initial destination was Island Harbour Marina and and an appointment with Terry from Richardson’s Yacht Services, with a view to getting a quote from Terry for some work on Seraphim which will be scheduled for October/November.

We slipped lines at 1030 and with no wind motored across the Solent and up the Medina river. Sailing past familiar sights, such as the Royal Yacht Squadron, the chain ferry and the Folly Inn we arrived at the waiting pontoon at 1245. Now having a lifting keel, I gained added peace of mind in shallow draft environments.

Terry arrived by 1300 and spent a good hour taking a look at Seraphim and required work. By 1420, we had slipped lines, immediately raised sails, cut off the iron maiden and set sail smoothly downstream and back towards the Solent. There in nothing better than the silence of a sailboat gently cutting through the water with river banks either side. We were even rewarded by a fly past of a Spitfire with its amazing and unique sounds, as it also sliced through its medium of travel.

We tacked most the the way to Yarmouth, our destination for the evening. With open arms, we were welcomed and moored on Pink pontoon between P6 and P7.

And so we settled into our new home from the evening with a walk into town and a fantastic treat of Fish’n’Chips, from one of my favourite restaurants, “The Blue Crab”. Take away off course ?⛵️