We've now been in Southampton twice, and once one member of the crew has been ashore. 3rd mate/navigator Hannah Grey went out yesterday to buy a couple of charts of Portugal, which was a birthday treat for her. We went into the Hamble River this morning and loaded fuel, surrounded by snazzy plastic yachts.

We're underway, motoring directly into a fresh breeze. The forecast is for the wind to veer around north, which if it actually happens would allow us to sail. We are certainly paying back for the good luck we had with wind and weather earlier.

We are laying a course for Falmouth right now, with Portland and Brixham as possible stops if the weather turns against us. If the weathergods deal us a very good hand we have enough fuel and provisions on board to go straight to Lisbon. I'm not holding my breath waiting for that. On the other hand we might get blown right back into the Solent, where I'll work on persuading the rest of the crew to at least learn the verse:

Every summer we can rent a cottage in the Isle of Wight
If it's not too dear.
We shall scrimp and save
With little children at our knee
Vera, Chuck, and Dave.

Since Dani jumped ship I'm the only person to see the humor in this.

 

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