Saturday 18 April
On Saturday we took La Bamba out for a first season shake down sail and it was also a birthday sail with novice crew Paul (yes his birthday) and my BFF Caroline.
Caroline’s single sailing experience several decades ago was a scary force 8 in a smaller boat and it was not a nice one – but this time, apart from one ‘tippy bit’ it was much more pleasant.
Paul had also come down to kindly advise us on our fishing tackle which we hope to use later this year in the Atlantic. We missed a bit of the tide as David reassembled it several times.
There had been very sticky grease in it that stopped it from turning in both directions, and then there were parts forgotten to be put back in..
But it was a beautiful sunny day with white puffy clouds and about 10-15 knots from the WNW. We jibed down to Cowes and returned very swiftly with the tide beating back to Lymington in only 3 tacks!
We let out the fishing line – it’s working pretty well, but may need a bit more of the grease removing – and Paul has given us the right kind of lures so hopefully one day we will catch a not too big fish! Thank you Paul.
The wind had increased to up to 18 knots on the way back so we put a reef in. Our original North Sails are noticeably more powerful and stiffer to handle than our new Sanders sails that are designed for the ARC conditions.
We enjoyed a lovely meal at the Haven, the restaurant just here at our marina. They are always very friendly and it was a fine evening as the sun set over the salt marshes.
