12/07/2024
Poole Harbour – Haslar Marina Gosport

Poole was a really cool place to be with so much activity on the water. I met some great people and even had the chance to jump in a RIB and go around Brownsea Island!

On Friday I set sail for the Solent. I left at 9am but it took some time to navigate out the busy harbour and past the chain ferry. It was a great day, with flat water and good Force 3 north-easterly winds. I pulled up the sails and began beating upwind.

I could see the Isle of White and with good speed, I arrived at the needles 4 hours later. It’s an epic sight and with flat water, I got pretty close. When I planned this trip passing the Needles was one part of the voyage I was really looking forward to. And I made it!!

I took loads of photos, enjoyed the moment and the achievement. But it soon became clear the wind was dyeing off completely, so I turned my engine on. I motor sailed for an hour or so before dropping my sails completely in favour of speed to make use of the notorious Solent tides.

I passed close by to cowes and stopped to let the high speed RedJet ferry past. The speed of that boat is definitely a little scary. I saw a small motor boat speeding up to me and waving, turns out it was some friends I’d met in Falmouth!

I crossed the channel and cut through the Inner Swashway to Gosport. Arriving into @haslarmarina just passed 5pm, as always they were super kind to me. I’d posted on my story I was heading into Gosport and 2 different people messaged me recommending I head to Haslar, because they have some of the fanciest showers ever! And it’s definitely true.

Anyway, my mum came down to visit and we spent the weekend together playing tourist visiting the Spinnaker tower, the lightship bar and my favourite part trying out the new VOI electric scooters.