Heading south

RBIR Sailing 038

All smiles, we’ve turned the corner – and it will start to get warmer (Helen, Ralph, Chris, Tom, Bob, Kerri)

RBIR Sailing 039

Neal opens champagne, while Helen readies the glasses

RBIR Sailing 046

Chris – despite celebrating turning the corner, still looks weary

RBIR Sailing 048

After rounding the top of the British Isles and with the wind turning light, it’s Dave’s turn to wash  change his underwear.

RBIR Sailing 049

Period of calm, before the wind turns into the South.  We catch up with Class 40 “Need a Sponsor” (Mark, Bob, Chris and Dave, all parked on the leeward side).  But Puma is twenty miles further east, avoids the lull and gets away to finish second.

RBIR Sailing 051

Skipper takes lunch as we head south towards Scotland

RBIR Sailing 056

Drying out in gentler and warmer conditions coming down North Sea – Ralph, Bob, Chris and Helen get their weight forwards in the light breeze

RBIR Sailing 077

Sarah takes photo of skipper artfully framed by wheel

IMG_1206

Mark serves up a freshly baked baguette – the crusty bit of one of these remove one of Ralph’s crowns….

RBIR Sailing 084

…requiring some emergency dentistry – Dave treats Ralph but we put Ralph, supported by Helen, ashore as we pass Dover rather than risk any problems …..

IMG_1227

…. with treatment supervised by former dental nurse Kerri

Final leg and finish

Back to RBIR summary page