Antipole was in Portsmouth for nine days while Tony did various jobs on board and we caught up with things at home. Then on Thursday Tony sailed for Wareham while Ynskje stayed behind to drive the car.
Tony writes: This was my first single-handed passage for seven years and my first on Antipole, so it was an interesting experience. The wind was promised fair but failed almost completely. A strong spring tide got me through the Solent to Keyhaven, a shallow estuary inside Hurst Castle at the western end, where I picked up a vacant mooring. The next afternoon the forecast wind again failed to materialise but a sea breeze appeared and I had a good sail to Studland Bay where I waited for the evening flood tide into Poole. I made it part way up the harbour before the wind failed again and so another vacant mooring served me over night. Finally, on Saturday morning a NE breeze and the flood tide took me all the rest of the way, sailing right up the river to Ridge Wharf, which was a good way to end the season.
Antipole is to be lifted out of the water on Monday for the winter, so arriving two days later than planned meant that preparations were rather rushed. Ynskje arrived by car and it was soon full of gear to be taken home for sorting and cleaning.
This coming week is the Southampton Boat Show and the Ovni agents Stephen and Francine rent a house in the New Forest as a base during the show. On the Saturday evening they hosted a gathering of Ovni owners and show helpers and we drove directly there on our way back to Portsmouth. It was a lovely way to mark the end of our British Isles circumnavigation and catch up with some friends.
The whole experience has been fascinating and we really feel we have got to know the British Isles in new ways and have learnt a lot. We have been most fortunate to be able to take our time, explore places of interest and wait for the right conditions when necessary.
This will be the last posting for the season – thanks for following us.
Tony & Ynskje x
Glad to know you are back safely, & had such a fascinating time. Had a long conversation with Stephan about the wonders of Antipole, & how much sailing has changed.Also what a good cook Ynskje is.XX