Day Four: Portland Bill to Dartmouth 19/04/12

Jean says: Having kept an ear open half the night to hear if the wind was dying down, we got up at 7.00 and saw that the weather was going to be pretty much the same for the next few days, so we might as well leave today. The force eight had finally died down, and it was likely to be a force six, which was fine, but the coast watch at Portland Bill had reported that the sea was particularly rough around the Bill area.
We knew Bella Rosa the wonder boat could handle it, and decided to take a chance on being able to handle nine hours of very choppy seas, with wind against tide ourselves. Bob was 100% fine, but I felt sea sick for the first time ever, and spent six of the nine hours trying to watch the horizon
and think of nothing. This was interspersed with trying to keep an hourly log, and an occasional visit to the heads, both of which involved a trip down below.
Today, all forays down below were hindered by the Velcro on the coastal offshore foul weather sailing gear attaching Itself to as much as possible en route, including one of the blue and white striped nautical themed cushions, and the union jack tea towel. I've never noticed this happening before, but it was probably because every move made was followed by being slammed against a surface quite hard. I never realised what impressive stuff it is. We could use it to secure ourselves to the seats in the cockpit in future for additional security. I wonder if anyone has ever thought of that?
We were very relieved to arrive in Dartmouth and decided to stay in the upmarket Dart Marina, This marina has great facilities like proper baths, a swimming pool, sauna and jacuzzi. Bob went off to have a shower, and I spent about half an hour in very hot water up to my neck trying to thaw out. Being able to have a bath is the one thing that I miss on a boat, and I wasn't expecting to find one in Dartmouth, but it feels like such a luxury. We're going to have tomorrow off to recover, before heading off on a shorter journey possibly to The River Yealm.

Couldn't get a picture of Portland Bill so here's one of Portland Bob!