Another fine, sunny, but brisk morning in Beaulieu. After ablutions, in the refitted and prestigious shower block we returned to Seraphim for a light breakfast and preparation for our next adventure.

Today we decided to take our chances and head up the Beaulieu river and to the village of Beaulieu itself. The river dries to almost 3.0 metres. This means that only boats with a shallow draft can venture this far and this only on a high tide, which toady was 3.4 m at 1420.

We progressed gingerly upstream, passing yachts on their mooring buoys and amazing scenery and houses along the banks of the river. I had previously only ventured this far out on a small tender, with Alex some year back. This time it was a different kettle of fish, with a yacht of 12 metres in length. It was an eerie feeling and I backed out a few bends short short of our destination. The feeling of the river narrowing and the depth going down, was simply too much. And so we turned tail and set our course downstream and towards another shallow destination, Island Harbour, on the Isle of Wight.

The crossing was uneventful and we were soon at the entrance to the marina which is locked in. We radioed the marina and we’re told that we could enter and transit on a free flow. This means that both lock gates are open, as the tidal height of the river matches that of the marina pool inside the harbour. The entrance to the marina has a drying height of 1.7 meters, so not accessible to all yachts and all states of tide. Once moored up and refreshed we paid our dues to the marina office and set about exploring.

Exploring meant visiting the Breeze, the only restaurant in the harbour. We were lucky enough to get a table and although sitting outside and under a heated lamp, it was a pleasant experience. Being able to eat out at all in these COVID times is a luxury that we haven’t had for almost 4 months. And so, the end of another interesting day, full of new experiences and delights.

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 ?⛵️

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.

The long awaited day has come. After over three months of lockdown we were finally allowed to venture out onto the water. I had arranged to meet Jack, a friend of mine from my Ealing days. I arrived earlier, 0730, to prepare Seraphim for her first sail of 2021.

The morning was glorious and Universal marina was drenched in sunshine. A perfect day for a sail with light winds and certainly no more than Force 4 from the South West.

Jack arrived promptly at 1000 and we were soon springing the bow out, using an aft spring and entered the mid channel of the river Hamble. After a few manoeuvres, to familiarise myself with Serphim, we motored towards Southampton Water, raising the sail as we headed into wind.

It was wonderful motoring out through the river Hamble. Many memories flooded back of my early sailing days. It was here that I did all my yacht training, from Day Skipper to Yacht Master Instructor. It was here that I sailed my first yacht, Edal, co owned with my best friend of 55 years, Edward. Familiar home waters and the very heart of English sailing.

Once in Southampton Water, the engine was turned off, and we were under the graceful power of the wind, probably the most wonderful sound in the world, is the cutting of the engine and the gentle splashing of wave against the hull of a graceful yacht. There was not much traffic, but we were greeted by two Isle of Wight ferries.

We tacked our way through the Solent and towards Newton Creek. Seraphim performed wonderfully and gracefully. And we managed to sail all the way into the creek and if we a little bit more adventurous would have picked up the mooring buoy under sail, but we only just stopped short of that.

Being in the creek again was serene and we settled into our tranquil surroundings with good lashings of homemade soup and homemade sourdough bread.

After lunch, and with the tide turning Eastwards, we made our way back to the river Hamble. We goose-winged eastwards down the Solent and the entered Southampton Water with the wind on our beam.

We finished the day, arriving back on our home berth at just before 1800. A beautiful day, with great company.