Tuesday 1300 To go forwards when the rest are going backwards is fast!

The Welsh winds have been doing their light and variable bit again making it hard to reach Scotland. In the adverse tide many of the boats have been going backwards at 2 -3 knots while Topsham Toe in the Water has been hugging the shore to escape the tide and has made steady progress forward. They are right up with the leaders having been consistently in the first 6 all morning and now seem to have wind and are making 4 -6 knots. They are in exalted company with all the fast boats of the fleet around them. They are benefiting from Paul’s experience sailing in these parts and are threatening to contact Gavin, Paul’s father in law who is an experienced West coast sailor, using their “phone a friend” option. Kate attributes their good progress to a stuffed bear (see above!) and Pete sacrificing lettuce and imaginary tea bags to the sea! I think hours on end in no wind and full sun can turn you just a bit crazy!