Up at 03:10 BST but still pitch dark so we delayed 30 minutes until it was lighter and headed out of the marina. Anne radioed Portland Harbour Radio to ask for permission to leave through the eastern (commercial shipping) entrance to save some distance. Permission given so after hoisting the mainsail with one reef we headed south under engine along the Bill with Tim and Lucy following us. It was really bumpy but with the tide behind us we made it to the Shambles Bank west cardinal buoy in good time and continued south until we were sure we were clear of the overfalls off Portland Bill. Then we were able to head west and unrolled the genoa, stopped the engine, and were sailing west with the last of the west going tide helping us along. The passage plan had worked out!!!
Of course good things never last and as we took out the reef in the mainsail and continued sailing the south westerly wind died away, as predicted, so we reluctantly had to start the engine again to keep up our passage speed. Eventually the wind was so light the genoa was just flapping around doing nothing so we rolled it up. Anne was feeling a little seasick by now as the swell was significant but we made good progress using the autopilot. Of course as soon as we arrived off Torquay the forecast north easterly wind kicked in, but too late. We moored up on the visitors pontoon and after tidying up Harvard it was time for a shower, supper and an early night. Completed the Lyme Bay crossing once again!