Day 2-3. Weymouth to Plymouth

A well earned days rest in Weymouth where the hydraulic back stay was retired in favour of a solid wire back stay. Expert advice pointed to return to American supplier for service. Bummer! So, no racing in the near future. :-). Better just cruise now.:-)

A fantastic 82 nmile otg sail to Plymouth starting at sparrows (04.40). Laros flew at 10.7 knts under cruising chute - pretty good double handed!!. A perfect evenings sail into Plymouth Sound. A day which started with porridge out of dog bowls( especially for Jonty!! ) and finished with G&T's under cruising Shute under evening sun.

First BBQ on board tonight. 

Heading to Helford River in the morning after dropping Chris ( J's brother) on Plymouth Dock. 

Day 1 -first step

Finally depart extend Hornet Gosport at 11 am and after a great sail down the Solent (10.2 knts otg) we experienced a challenging sail into the NW wind towards Weymouth.  Once past Anvil Point the motor went on to ensure we did not arrive at dead of night. A good first day and a successful first step on the Laros Adventure ( the Chineese would be proud). The day was marred only by the loss of the dinghy washed overboard by lashing waves over the foredeck out past the Needles. 

We look forward to warmer weather as we head south, leaving behind typical English drizzle and cold, for which the only remedy is to curl up with a blanket under the spray hood while James (auto pilot) soldiers on. 

Still at Hornet

Residing at Hornet Gosport still due to strong winds and the absence of a gantry. The consolation is listening to the band of the Royal Navy Beating of Retreat at the 50th anniversary celebratory weekend cocktail party. Tomorrow will bring progress and should produce the gantry.......

Weather improving, morale still high and Laros in finr form (except perhaps the hydraulic back stay, but more on that later). 

Still at Hornet Marina, Gosport.

We went to see the gantry today, it's looking great but sadly now not ready to fit until Friday. :-(
Johnny did manage to fit the cameras to the underside of the spreaders. Just need the electrician to connect them tomorrow.

Clark farewell

A great visit from Tom, Cate, Sophia and Max to bid us farewell. We shall miss your always happy and smiling faces. Hope to see you on our travels and if not then in Aus.

Thank you for the yummy chocolates and whiskey. Xx

A quiet day on the Solent with great friends before we depart. No wind though!

Nearly ready to go.

We have now put Laros through her paces having participated in a very exciting AOR regatta. We didn't manage to win any prizes but really enjoyed the week and making new friends. We did manage to fly the cruising chute. Our crew for the ARC now know what they are in for for the long passage to St Lucia. We are very lucky to have such a lovely boat.
Photos to follow.