Brixham to Portland

Hi everyone,

On Wednesday we sailed from Brixham to Portland.  It was a 52m sail in varying conditions.  We had the tidal current with us until the Portland Race when it turned against us.

Chesil Bank shingle

Here are the track and graphs...

Zen  Again Track

Zen Again Graphs

The sail started in light WSW winds as we broad-reached SE from Brixham.  More wind came in from the SW and we gybed east.  The wind gradually built to about 20 knots, gusting 25.  Dolphins escorted us for short periods several times during the day.  The WindPilot did a great job steering Zen Again in quite difficult conditions with multiple wave trains.

WindPilot in action

We reached Portland Race about an hour after the tide turned against us.  We went around the race and west of the Shambles shallows with about 1 knot against us.  The seas were about 1.5m and quite steep but only a few breaking heavily.  Zen Again took them in her stride under double-reefed (trisail size) main and double-furled yankee.

Portland Ahead

Approaching Eastern Entrance to Portland Harbour

For two nights we anchored in the SW corner of the harbour.  This put us close to the Royal Navy base and the National Sailing Academy.  The former houses Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships and is also used for naval helicopter training.  Twas fun to watch Merlins and Sea Kings doing circuits, including in some nasty weather.  The latter is a very busy place with lots of high performance dinghies, including many foilers.  Fun to watch too.

Portland Harbour sunset over Chesil Bank

On Thursday we moved to the NW corner of the harbour since the wind was moving around to the North.  This put us close to beaches where we could land the tender and access nearby shops and walks.

Early Morning Zen Again

On Friday we went ashore for the morning.  We walked south along the Rodwell Trail (part of the SW Coastal Path) to Chesil Bank.  The bank is amazing, with interesting wetlands behind it and surf roaring on the shingle on the seaward side.

Wetlands 'behind' Chesil Bank

Chesil Beach

We walked back via the Tesco supermarket in Wyke Regis.  By then thunderstorms were starting to build upwind so we headed back to the boat for the show.  As the afternoon progressed the thunderstorms built up amazing cloudscapes which reminded us of our time in Darwin.

Thunderstorms growing

Thunderstorm approaching

It was our turn to get wet around 1700.  We saw the rain coming across the water.  When it hit we realised it included hail stones up to about 8mm in diameter.  Nic caught several in her G&T.

Rain incoming!

Rain and Hail

We'll be staying in the Portland and Weymouth area for a few more days.

Trust all's well where you are!