Having spent a lot of miles between the Shetland Islands and Lands End dealing with incessant southwesterlies (on the nose) we were ready for a nice run up the English Channel.

But it was not to be.

The Azores High has expanded, bringing blessed sunshine and northeasterly winds, on the nose as we head up the English Channel.

So as we knifed our way uphill on a beautiful day, we could at least enjoy vicariously the downhill passage these yachts are having. The two boats in the preceding photos are sailing at eight knots, making 9.5 knots with current over the bottom (we are making 9.5 over the bottom too, but we need to run at eleven to net this out as the current is against us).

A trawler yacht, running with the wind at 6.5 (doing eight SOG),saving fuel with a push from wind and wave.

These guys were just warming up, slowly accelerating on a reach at 12 knots here.

Speaking of acceleration, we’d guess these folks are doing an easy 18 to 20 as they broad reach along the Isle of Wight.

There are always a few who go against the grain. These folks are beating up the Needles Channel. Look at the roller reefed jib and baggy main. Both would be OK off the wind, but going to weather these overly full sails create drag and heel the boat.

Opposite example with a nice shape to main and roller reefed jib. In fact, this is the first decent looking roller reefed jib we have seen all year.

Not much to talk about here,we just like the image.

At the end of the day, the view from the aft deck of Wind Horse at Berthon’s Marina back in Lymington, where she will once again spend the winter.