Last Thursday evening Nancy Blackett arrived in Eastbourne following a brisk downwind sail from Dover. With ever changing weather, skipper John Smith reported that departure was delayed until Saturday, when, with strong winds still from the west or south-west and the tide initially against them, Nancy Blackett and her crew spent a few hours sailing out past the Royal Sovereign Light.

When the tide turned, the distance offshore helped give them a wind angle to motor-sail rather than be headed had they not done this. The passage went well, and they arrived in Brighton near low spring water, before manoeuvring with care to keep off the bottom as the marina is badly silted up. The voyage westwards to the Solent is expected to resume early on Thursday.

Here are four photos from this leg of the journey to the Solent:

Dungeness on a not so nice day – John Smith

Beachy Head beyond the Royal Sovereign Light – John Smith

Royal Sovereign Light and Beachy Head – John Smith

Beachy Head and a Dutch Yacht – John Smith