Big Easy spotted

With the weather so good, it seemed a shame not to rush out to Ciao Bella after work last night. I knew my friend Roger would be out for his first proper sail on his Hurley 24/70 'Big Easy'.   It was a bit of a stress getting out, the tide was disappearing so quickly that I thought I wouldn't get off the mooring.  With inches to spare I motored away with sail covers still on... That could wait until I was in deeper water.
There was a fresh North Easterly blowing, just right for full sail.  I called Roger on the VHF, he was outside the harbour entrance fighting the Ebb to get back in.  I took the opportunity to go out with the tide to meet him.

Roger has spent a huge amount of time fettling this boat back into tip top condition.  It is absolutely superb.  All the time a hard work must have seemed worthwhile last night as he put her through her paces.
Roger kindly reciprocated with this lovely shot of Ciao Bella... Shame about the fat bloke on the back :)

Big Easy continued on her way into the harbour while I headed for the Banks Arms... Paul was already over there so thought it rude not to go and share a beer with him.  I had heard Dom, another club member with a Swift 18, on the VHF and invited him join us but I didn't hear a reply.  I bumped into him later and he said he'd replied, I can only assume I'd knocked the channel switch or something.. Shame, always good to meet up.
I think I may be slowly improving with my mooring techniques.. I picked up a mooring, undersail, at Studland on the second pass and also when I returned to my mooring I picked that up under sail alone with no dramas.
The run back from Studland was lovely,  Close reach from Studland to the end of the training wall then close hauled and tacking back along the Swash channel.  As the way was clear I even swung in through the entrance without dipping the outboard.  A great evening sail.