Well finally last weekend we managed to actually sail the boat - and put up two sails.  It was just the right weather to check things out.  Shook out the first two reefs, and the sail looked good.  Lovely sunny day as well.

Lovely sailing into the Solent

Skipper getting more familiar with the unfamiliar wheel.

Enthusiasm as usual.  Tied up again, so he's happy.  Actually he does seem a little happier on this boat, more places to get comfortable although that is becoming difficult as his back legs weaken.

Still waiting for autopilot to be fitted - four weeks now. Apparently it should be completed today - let's hope so.

 I know, I'm late again updating things.  Well we have bought Bloto 4, a Hanse 315.  Very pleased with her.  However, she has wheel steering.  Oh my goodness, something new to learn.  The purchase was not a smooth as we would have liked, and unfortunately there were a few things that had to be sorted before we could move her over to East Cowes.  (Which cost quite a lot!).  We put the boat on our original mooring, but we had already decided to move her (or in fact, the previous boat) to East Cowes Marina for the winter months, because having lost so many months of sailing this year, we felt we would at least get some sailing in during the winter.  So we moved the boat, and are now happily moored up in the Marina.  We are awaiting the installation of an autopilot to make life easier when we are sailing.  We have been over to Bucklers Hard, where we met Daniel and Alice and had a lovely weekend, although it rained.  

Autopilot should be installed sometime this week, so hopefully we will be on the move.  Bertie appears to be more comfortable on this boat.

getting ready for the departure

on the mooring at Hamble Point Marina

new captain working with the wheel

now firmly tied up at East Cowes Marina

So we are now just waiting for that autopilot......  take care everyone