That was an interesting night, Winging It was buffeted by the wind and her warps creaked most of the night.

Tonight I shall take down the burgee as last night it played the standing rigging like a guitar keeping us awake.

This is our day to reluctantly leave Cowes – as much as neither of us want to. 

The day starts with a cooked breakfast then after washing up we prep for sea.

The plan is to leave on a rising tide around 11.00hrs keeping a close eye on the red funnel ferry. Our departure is timed to follow the car ferry out – no point in tangling with that. 

After engine checks and donning life jackets, yes I even put one on to move the boat in the harbour, our fellow Leggies take our lines and manhandle Winging It out of a tight space, between two rows of Legend yachts and onward to sea. 

The heading is only changed briefly to windward and raising the mainsail, otherwise we make Portsmouth on a single tack. At times, and due to very light airs it was a challenge to keep the sail full and the boat in motion. For a good stretch, almost seven nautical miles we sailed at around 3 to 4 knots, it was calm enough to make tea while underway.

Rounding Gilkicker, a treat – first a private air show from a spitfire then a wave from the crew of Waverly (a paddle steamer) as she passed by heading west. For a moment we sailed in company with some ocean going race yachts – we’re not going to out run those.

As it happens to steer head to wind sets Winging It running along side the main channel into Portsmouth harbour, it’s at this point we drop the main and furl the jib.

Inside the harbour it’s fender out and rig the warps for mooring. Rob is on hand to take a line as we head in and before making fast we turn Winging It on her lines mooring her stern too. 

It’s now five in the afternoon, it’s sunny and warm outside although the wind is picking up. We’re even getting the hang of packing away, the sails are packed and fenders set before dinner. 

Today is a sailing day and the Leggies rally in Cowes.

The crew of Winging It wake at a reasonable hour and have a cooked breakfast onboard. 

A good friend and our sailing instructor Dave calls by to say hello and to ask if we wanted a day sail, unfortunately we plan to overnight in Cowes and plan to leave on the tide.

There is however always tome for a coffee onboard.

Our morning disappears quickly, best get a move on and prepare for sea.

Winging it takes little prep, much less than Secret did, (the motorboat which was sold earlier this year to buy Winging It)

There is much less in the way of things to stow and not being a planing boat traveling is all the more a gentle experience. 

The weather is forecast to be dry with sunny spells, there is however a strengthening breeze. 

The wind is blowing us on as we leave, this is not a problem though, Deb (my wife and first officer) gives a push at the bows with a boat pole and winging it clears the dock with ease. 

In the harbour it is quiet, it’s Thursday so I expect most people to be at work.

The Gosport ferry forces us to stand off despite we being the stand on vessel.

The ferry is however bigger than Winging It and over the years of sailing out of Portsmouth this is to be expected. 

On the subject of bigger than Winging on exit from Portsmouth into the Solent we pass the Brittney ferry and St Clare.

There is a strong wing from the north once out on the Solent, the sea state is just a little choppy in places but nothing Winging it or her crew can’t handle. 

The plan is to motor out to a given point, around 2Bar the round Gilkicker on a starboard tack. 

Although we have not been sailing long Deb and Me have been boating for over 14years so this is not all new to us.

We’ve had instruction on which strings to pull and now its time to work as a crew and sail our selves.

The routine is that Deb helms the boot while I raise the main, she has gone good at pointing to wind then bearing off when I unfurl the job.

Today is no different, with wind and tide were able to make it round Gilkicker then along to Osborne Bay on a single tack.

Just out of the east Chanel entry to Cowes, it time to point to wind, drop the main and motor into the Cowes harbour. 

Once passed the breakwater Cowes Yacht Heaven is not far leaving little time to prepare lines and fenders.

“Look sharp, Deb – we’re almost at the entrance to the Yacht heaven”, – to give more time I head back out of the harbour in the main channel but turn around where there is plenty of space and no traffic to make a final approach. Despite the wind we enter the harbour gently and without issue, calling for help from sailors who are packing away from their days sailing Winging It comes along side with no drama.

We are staying at Cowes Yacht Heaven, a marina situated in the middle of Cowes on the west side of the Medina.

This is not the first stay here, its a pleasant stop close to the town and all of the amenities.

The staff are helpful and accommodating, whilst the facilities clean and plentiful.

Many racing yachts are moored at the Yacht Heaven, arriving at the end of the day there is plenty of bustle with crews packing away at the end of their day. That said once night time falls there is a peace and quiet about the moorings despite the close proximity to the town.

By now it is 16.00, on sailing days part of the victualling routine involves making sure there is snacks and drink for the trip and something easy to heat up and eat once made fast.

Today we have home made tomato soup with crusty bread for a late lunch. 

The evening is spent taking a long walk along the sea front to Egypt point and watch a spectacular sunset. 

For dinner pasta topped with the source I made fresh yesterday, “look at us home made soup, cake and now pasta source”.

At 21.00 it’s getting dark, there is just time for a walk down to the chain ferry then off to bed.