July 18th; Reefed Main and reduced jib with no mizzen

Arrived at boat a couple of hours after low tide, made my way down to Levington, and then back upstream with the tide, anchoring up opposite Freston for afternoon coffee.  The wind switched to a more South Easterly direction, on the return.  Sailed the entire way with no use of the engine. 

Wind F3-4 with some stronger gusts, up to F5, I'd guess.  Not my favourite type of wind, since you cannot relax, and have to be on the lookout all the time, looking to pay out the mainsheet in the larger gusts.  Usually, I resort to jib and mizzen on these sort of days, but today I tried a reefed main and partially furled jib with no mizzen.  It was surprisingly effective.  It had the advantage of leaving a great deal of power - typical faster speeds of 4.5knts against the tide, and well over 5knts with the wind.  Didn't seem to point well into the wind, but certainly effective on a reach. 

9.9nm.  Season's total now stands at 218.6nm.