Passage: Bristol to Portsmouth

Much as we enjoyed Bristol, ten days in the city was long enough. We were anxious for some more sea time, and to head south down the coast and then turn east, ultimately headed to mainland Europe for the big sail festivals. More immediately, just a couple days' sail would get us to Portsmouth.

Up early-ish to time our arrival at the lock which had to happen at high tide. Now that we’re through we’re tied up to the sea wall waiting for the tide to go down so we can fit under the next bridge. Fast, then slow, fast, then slow, hurry up and wait. Despite minor frustration I’m reminded that my “everyday life” is someone else’s “once in a lifetime.” We have four trainee/passengers aboard, who have paid to spend a few days experiencing this life—my everyday life—with us, and explaining everything to them lets me see my world through their new eyes. Farewell Bristol, it’s been fun but we’re on our way to Portsmouth. 2 hours by car and a couple of days by sea aboard El Galeon. Also, as cars drove past us people would occasionally lean out the window to take photos. I was terrified that we were about to cause a crash until I remembered that this was England, they drive on the left, and the person with the camera was the passenger, not the driver, as my US-based perceptions of the proper side of the car to drive on got turned backwards!

We made it under the first bridge with room to spare as the tidal height when we arrived was less than predicted. Now with almost 4 knots of fair current hurrying us out to sea, passing the Welsh coast.

A local drone operator got this image of us passing the far higher and better known Clifton suspension bridge. If you could zoom in to an impossible degree you'd see me and first officer Ricardo on the quarterdeck. This bridge was where we switched helmsmen -- he took the far more difficult winding and narrow inner stretch of river between here and Bristol, and I got the far mellower section from here to the sea. 

A gorgeous night (note the view here sailing toward the crescent moon) filled with stars, Milky Way, and a few shooting stars ...

... deteriorated into a bumpy wet morning with a significant portion of the crew seasick; and after we turned the corner of England at Lands End, now a tranquil afternoon headed towards Portsmouth sometime tomorrow. Also, after several hours at the helm in challenging waves rocking and rolling the ship and a few pointers from the captain, I’m now a better helmsman than I was when I woke up.

Ilfracombe was a lovely stop to rest on our post-Galeon vacation in Devon and Cornwall last summer. This year, we saw it from the ocean side!

Ilfracombe by land, summer 2024.

Bring out your best “Spanish Armada” jokes. We’re waiting for the tide beforere we enter Portsmouth harbour and here comes the Royal Navy to welcome us! (Actually, a lot of the visitors made comments about the Spanish armada, usually with amusing attitudes. I reminded them that this time "you English gave us your money quite willingly" as they all paid for tickets to visit!