Nancy left Woolverstone at 17:00 after refuelling and motored to Harwich harbour. Halfpenny Pontoons being full, we picked up a buoy about a mile up the Stour in time for a dinner of chicken pasta and a peaceful Saturday evening aboard.
Sunday at 05:00 saw the crew up and we slipped the buoy at 06:10, motoring down the harbour and into a small south-westerly Force 3 chop. The wind stayed low all day but remained determinedly a headwind. Taking the outer route via the Sunk, Kentish Knock and Elbow, Nancy tied up in Ramsgate at 16:00. The seas, after the first 20 miles, moderated and the tide then ran with us almost to the harbour.
We motored all the way (known as 100% reefed) and the new engine performed perfectly. Cold, but not exceptionally so, the crew enjoyed the passage and repaired to the Royal Temple Yacht Club for a period, before dinner of potatoes, carrots and beefburgers aboard.
Today we take the tide and sail at noon towards Dover.
Posted aboard Nancy in Ramsgate Harbour by BLB
