Exit England

Finally underway. Next land? Azores or USA?

Stunning, sparkling, misty day in the western Solent.

Passed through Hurst Narrows and got a good look at the recently collapsed section of Hurst Castle (pics in the extras).

Think this is the fifth time I've been past the Needles. The other four all on yachts, two of which still stick in the memory: The first, a sunny August evening in '97 for the start of the Fastnet Race.

The second, at the end of a cold, stormy Easter Channel crossing in '98 - arriving at the Bridge Buoy (in the last extra, right) at midnight in huge, breaking waves. Very glad to get through that one!