Eastney to Nettlestone Point

Setting off from Eastney on Bank Holiday Monday afternoon we had the sea to ourselves. The wind S 3-4 was supposed to have dropped, but continued into our faces, raising a lively sea. Especially at the Eastney entrance where the wind against the spring tide ebb had waves steep enough to engulf the entire boat and break down my neck.

We had to wait for someone bigger than ourselves, this, and a French ferry, compounded by the head wind, meant it took 2 hours for the 5nm despite a favourable tide. A brief stop for an expensive Isle of Wight ice cream and we were homeward bound.

The wind now died to nothing! typical! but with the sea flattening off and the tide that had reversed and got itself into gear during our 10 minute break, it was only 1 hour 15 minutes for the return. A fine watery sky over Portsmouth made a backdrop to an empty sea. How much longer will we have the sea to ourselves? Normally by May the yachts and motor cruisers have come out of hibernation, but the long spell of cold weather is keeping them in their marinas.