Year 3 -16th October 2026 – Faial -Azores for Hamble UK – Day 9– the Last Passage to Home

Watty and the Commodore were on 8.00pm to 11.00pm. We had quite a lot of traffic about and we had to ensure we did not get caught up with a tanker etc. I had checked the weather again and the cold front was due to pass and the wind to veer about 10.15-10.30pm.

After supper I read and chilled and dealt with kind messages from those who were following our progress and congratulating us for reaching UK waters again. David had a rest and Mark and Dave had gone to bed. At about 10.00pm I got ready and joined Watty & the Commodore in the cockpit. At about 10.15 pm the wind began to veer and so we brought in the main to the centre and then took in the genoa. We put the engine on and gybed. Within minutes the wind had backed to the Northwest so we set the mainsail and then got the genoa out on the other side.

We were soon sailing well and fast to our waypoint on a similar course but with the wind on the other side.   David and I therefore took over at 11.00pm and we were now on our way on one tack to the Needles.

Our route took us past the Lizard and on toward Plymouth, Start Point, Portland Bill and on to the Needles. We had to contend with 4 French fishing vessels who were fishing around right on the UK 12 nm limit. We dodged the first two and then had to round the back of another. I called this vessel on the VHF but it did not speak much English but it did manage to understand we will go down its port side. They should be fishing in their own waters! Fishing vessels go very slowly back and forth and you have to get out of their way really.

We continued through our shift with constant wet drizzle having to manage and watch lots of traffic. It was dark, cold and wet – welcome back to the UK!

We handed over to Mark and Dave. In the night the wind (not forecast) got up to 30kts within seconds and so reefs were required which I heard from my bed. The weather is not letting up and is keeping us on our toes to the end.

I woke about 7.15am and got up as it was getting light.

I got ready and joined Watty & the Commodore in the cockpit again and we shook out more of the genoa. We were then making 9+ kts. We had a destination to get to and some cold beers can then be drunk.

This was a great 4 hours and Stormbird was doing what she does best. She was charging along at 8-10kts and in our shift we did 8, 9, 10 & 9 nm for each hour. I was having fun as I realised potentially this could be my last sail on Stormbird. We shall see.

The weather was cold but sunny and the rain cleared up. The wind was quite fierce at 18-24 kts and we had to reef and then shake them out again.

Watty had made breakfast again with smashed avocado with bacon and egg this time. We had several Dolphins come to inspect us and were jumping out of the water as if to welcome us. I also saw land for the first time. I was back on Blighty and looked at the white cliffs and fields and hills. I had lots of congratulation messages from those that follow our progress and from many past crew members who have been on board and contributed to this circumnavigation. I am very grateful to all of them as without them I would not have been able to do this circumnavigation.

The morning came to an end and I handed over to Mark and Dave. There was an air of excitement and anticipation. I set out lunch which was our usual and Mark planned to do a fish stew for supper which we shall eat on the hoof as it were and we will then enter the Needles from where I started and proceed to New Town Creek to anchor for the night.

We continued to sail well during the afternoon passing Portland Bill and then on to St Albans head. Until this point we had tide with us and it then turned against us so our progress slowed slightly.

The coast and visibility was clear due to the blue skies and clarity of air. The coast looked attractive and it was good to see it again and I am coming back to familiar territory.

The sun began to go down and this will be the last sunset of the trip. It looked magnificent with St Albans Head and Portland Bill behind and the sunset lighting up the Needles and the Isle of Wight in front of us. We were nearly there but alas we are unlikely to pass through the Needles until it is dark.

However, this turned out to be a treat. We came in and sailed about 6.5-7kts from buoy to buoy with their different flashing characteristics like a welcoming firework show. It was lovely and quiet with just the swishing of the water as we munched jelly babies that one of the guys had found as we ticked off the buoys and waypoints.

We approached and passed Yarmouth with the two lit ferries passing like a toy fair. We moved on and came to a waypoint off New Town Creek called Hampsted Ledge and we put the sails away and then motored round to an anchorage I had identified just outside New Town Creek. We anchored in 15 m and put down 60m of chain and the anchor held well.

We were here- we had done it – we had arrived in Blighty again. I had fulfilled my dream -thank you.

Thank you for all those who helped me achieve this. To those that allowed me to fulfil my dream and to make it happen. I thank you.

Once we were settled we had a few welcome beers and we all had smiles on our faces. It was cold and bitter- a true reminder that we were in the UK in the Autumn. Gone in a flash were tee shirts and shorts – it was back to reality.

I went to bed with a smile on my face and in need of some sleep. We have to get into the Hamble tomorrow, refuel and get safely to our mooring and that in my mind will be the end.  

 The picture of the day is of me enjoying a great sail on Stormbird and feeling great after arriving back in UK waters.

The blog will continue as we continue the journey. If you have any comments or suggestions about the blog then do email me on hine.nick9@gmail.com