Shoreham to Eastbourne

Thursday 17th and the day starts with a bit of unplanned rescheduling, I had intended to leave Shoreham on the 09:00 lock opening, however, the lock operator notifies all skippers asking for clearance that there was insufficient water in the main channel and the first available lock out time will be 11:00. Ah well put the time to good use and connect up the GPS receiver to the new radio and the radio AIS output to the plotter.

We lock out at 11:00, paying the lock keeper the (unexpected) harbour dues and berthing fee for a berth of theirs I didn't use, £25 not budgeted for. We are under sail by 11:30, but motor-sailing again with the wind a F2 on the nose. By 13:30 we are off Newhaven and the wind has increased to F4+ with a short choppy sea running.

 A clear view of Seven Sisters


We reach Sovereign Harbour via another rolly-polly entrance channel in time to enter on the 17:00 lock, where a member of staff allocates a visitor berth and hands over a harbour plan. I find myself berthed next to a Dutch skipper taking his newly acquired Contessa 26 from Falmouth to the Netherlands so we exchange harbour information and discuss the ongoing tasks on each boat.

A shopping trip around the complex and an Italian meal at the waterside round off the day.