Day three and our crews, well rested from the previous day's exertion, set off for the Hampshire town of Lymington. Located in the Solent, directly opposite the Isle of Wight, their destination was a 44-mile sail away in what seemed to be good conditions. Half an hour into the sail the fog came down and visibility became greatly reduced, sometimes to less than 100 metres. Fortunately our skippers have a wealth of experience, as do many of our crews, and the reduced visibility did not hold them up too much, although it took maximum concentration to hold course.

A playmate along the way

As the day progressed, a pod of dolphins came out to play with Ashanti and Clearlake II, chasing them and weaving in and out of their wakes as they made their way through the water. It is sights like these that make even the most arduous day sailing a worthwhile experience.

A quick snack at the helm
Pop Quiz! What does this buoy mean? Answers on a postcard...

As our crews approached Lymington the fog lifted and the perfectly still water of the marina became home for the night. Both crews tucked into a meal cooked on board and then joined each other for a cheerful drink before heading for bed.

Lymington marina is like a mirror

If you wish to support our crews on their voyage, and help Macmillan Cancer Support continue their vital work with those affected by cancer, please follow this link to our justgiving page:

www.justgiving.com/fundraising/premier-sailing

Thank you.

The second day of leg seven was not nearly as forgiving as the first! A steady ten hour sail past Exmouth and Lyme Regis turned into a fifteen-hour, seventy-six mile slog, tacking against force 5/6 easterly winds all the way. Any sailor will tell you that even the most detailed planning can come unravelled at the mercy of the wind, and today was no exception. Our crews are a hardy bunch, however, and took it in their stride and making the best of the situation, camaraderie counts for a lot and everyone worked together to bring their vessels safely into port.

Ashanti's stern from her berth in Weymouth

Despite their tiredness, our crews found the strength to nip ashore in Weymouth for a well-earned drink together, before returning to their cabins for an even more well-earned sleep.

Still waters mean a good night's sleep after the exertions of the day

Our crews are not only putting themselves through this for the fun of it; they are also helping to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support.

If you wish to support our crews on their voyage, and help Macmillan Cancer Support continue their vital work with those affected by cancer, please follow this link to our justgiving page:

www.justgiving.com/fundraising/premier-sailing

Thank you.

The final leg of the Premier Sailing Round Britain cruise for Macmillan Cancer Support begins with a trip along the Devonshire coast from Plymouth to Brixham, and what a day to get things started! As our new crews get to know each other they are treated to the most perfect conditions you can have. Beautiful blue waters and fair winds are a sailor's dream and they were enjoyed to the full on an exhilarating day.

Clearlake II at full sail
Blue waters and a friendly sail in the distance

Ashanti and Clearlake II hurtled through the water toward the fishing town of Brixham, whose harbour boasts a replica of Sir Francis Drake's famous ship The Golden Hind. But before they reach it, our skippers needed to lead their vessels and crews out to sea in order to avoid the many rocky outcrops that line the coast.

Best steer clear of this one!

On arrival at Brixham, both vessels were skilfully motored through the marina to their berths for the night, where our crews could dine together and get to know each other a little more before setting off again the next day.

Safely negotiating Brixham marina

If you wish to support our crews on their voyage, and help Macmillan Cancer Support continue their vital work with those affected by cancer, please follow this link to our justgiving page:

www.justgiving.com/fundraising/premier-sailing

Thank you.

If you wish to support our crews on their voyage, and help Macmillan Cancer Support continue their vital work with those affected by cancer, please follow this link to our justgiving page:

www.justgiving.com/fundraising/premier-sailing

Thank you.

The sixth and final day sailing of this leg takes our crews to their final destination: Plymouth. One of the most famous seafaring ports on the south coast, this Devonshire town is  where our company director, Colin, went to naval college way back in the distant past (or the 1970s)! The short sail along the Polperro Heritage coast is nevertheless filled with beautiful views, great waters for sailing and some fabulous winds.

Food always brings people together
Land ho!

As Plymouth Yacht Haven came into view, our crews became very much aware of what they have achieved this week. Some on board have very little sailing experience, and yet have traversed some of the country's most beautiful coastline and negotiated the potentially treacherous Land's End on an overnight sail. The feeling is always rewarding, which may be why we have people joining us year after year for this cruise, and the friendships made on board are lasting.

Plymouth Yacht Haven looking absolutely stunning

Tomorrow there will be a cream tea organised with the help of our sponsors Tiptree Jam and Yacht Haven marinas. Is it cream or jam first? We shall see!

If you wish to support our crews on their voyage, and help Macmillan Cancer Support continue their vital work with those affected by cancer, please follow this link to our justgiving page:

www.justgiving.com/fundraising/premier-sailing

Thank you.

Now well rested after the previous day's exertions, our crews prepared themselves for the short hop from Falmouth fo Fowey. The fifth day of this leg sees Ashanti and Clearlake II cross the Fal estuary and make their way along the Roseland Heritage Coast in glorious sunshine before reaching their destination  that afternoon.

Moorings in Fowey

The small port town of Fowey has plenty of moorings for our yachts, and even a water taxi service to take our intrepid mariners ashore for a well-earned pint, and an encounter with a local bookshop displaying a great sense of humour.

Water taxis to take you ashore
Satire in the bookshop!
A sit down with a beer, what's not to love?

One thing that this whole trip demonstrates is that you can have a great time on a grand adventure, all the time helping to raise awareness, and much needed funds, for a very worthy cause.

If you wish to support our crews on their voyage, and help Macmillan Cancer Support continue their vital work with those affected by cancer, please follow this link to our justgiving page:

www.justgiving.com/fundraising/premier-sailing

Thank you.

This stage is a big one! Our crews rose early and readied themselves and their vessels for the overnight sail from Padstow to Falmouth, rounding Land's End and Lizard Point on their way. Nestled on the south coast of Cornwall, Falmouth is famous for surfers and sailors alike, and boasts a deep natural harbour in the Fal estuary. It also happens to be an incredibly vibrant town with plenty to see and do.

Ashanti ready to set sail

Working in watches, our crews sailed through the night under the watchful eyes of our two skippers, keeping on course and on time as they ploughed on through the waves under the light of the moon.

The beauty of night sailing is obvious.

On arrival in Falmouth, our crews were greeted by the sights and sounds of a sea shanty festival, and you don't get much more nautical than that! Given the exertions of the previous days, our crews enjoyed the festivities immensely, and then turned in for some much needed rest.

Sea shanties in Falmouth

If you wish to support our crews on their voyage, and help Macmillan Cancer Support continue their vital work with those affected by cancer, please follow this link to our justgiving page:

www.justgiving.com/fundraising/premier-sailing

Thank you.

The next day our crews set of bright and early, leaving their island stopover for the town of Padstow and the north Cornish coast. Blue skies were overhead and there was good sailing all the way across the inlet for the river Camel and both Clearlake II and Ashanti made good time as they made the short hop to the marina.

A brew and a butty, the perfect lunch on deck!
There are be worse places to live.

Once moored our crews ventured ashore in search of fish and chips; they were by no means disappointed! Time ashore allows both crews to stretch their legs (and in some cases stomachs) and also mingle, with friendships being formed all the time. Every member of our crews are united in a common goal: making it safely to each destination whilst raising much needed money for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Mooring in Padstow.

If you wish to support our crews on their voyage, and help Macmillan Cancer Support continue their vital work with those affected by cancer, please follow this link to our justgiving page:

www.justgiving.com/fundraising/premier-sailing

Thank you.

As the start of a new leg dawned and new crews joined our boats, it became apparent that the steaming light on Ashanti was not working. Changing a boat on a yacht is never straight forward, and someone had to be hauled up the mast to sort this one. Fortunately Les, who has been on Ashanti since day one of the Round Britain 2019, was a willing volunteer and was up the mast in no time!

Well, someone's got to do it...

The first day of each leg is usually a short one, giving the new crew members a chance to get used to their boats, and each other, and soon everyone was anchored safely off the isle of Lundy with plenty of time to spare before nightfall. Never wishing to miss an opportunity, once dinner had been served and enjoyed, a couple of our crew quickly had the dinghy inflated and were soon ashore for a well earned pint before settling in for the night.

We're gonna need a bigger boat!
Rules are rules!
The Isle of Lundy

If you wish to support our crews on their voyage, and help Macmillan Cancer Support continue their vital work with those affected by cancer, please follow this link to our justgiving page:

www.justgiving.com/fundraising/premier-sailing

Thank you.

Overnight sails have a number of good qualities, especially seeing the stars from the open water, with no light pollution to impede the view, being a particular favourite. One of the most spectacular is most certainly a sunrise such as that enjoyed by our crews early on Monday morning. With the morning mist slowly dissipating over the water, the coastal landscape of South Wales began to reveal itself.

An early morning means a beautiful sunrise

 

Ashanti calmly motoring onward

 

A big thank you to our sponsors

 

If you wish to support our crews on their voyage, and help Macmillan Cancer Support continue their vital work with those affected by cancer, please follow this link to our justgiving page:

www.justgiving.com/fundraising/premier-sailing

Thank you.

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