We left the berth in 35 knots of wind though Captain Barbara promised it would not be too rough. We motored the 8 miles west from St Helier harbour into head winds at an average speed of 2 knots. The wind was shrieking in the rigging but the seas were relatively calm so everyone enjoyed themselves. The wind did not ease off and it took until 1300 until we could set sail. It was very exciting as the seas were slapping against the ship's side and many of the crew got an unexpected drenching. They laughed through it and by 1330 we were under sail, sailing north up the west coast of Jersey. In fact we were to sail all the way to the Isle of Wight.
We had a great sail all the way through the Alderney Race and across the shipping lanes.