A great start to 2005
Sunday, January 2nd, 2005 
Yesterday we made a great start to the new year by getting up early and getting down to the boat for a brisk sail in Southampton Water. Ange, Vasco and I left our berth at 11 and sailed up to the entrance to Ocean Village where we met Peter and Jane in their brand new Hanse 371, Le Passion. This was the first time Le Passion had hoisted her sails since being commissioned last month. She positively sparkled and her crisp new sails set perfectly. We had to work hard on board Csardas to keep up with her what with a season’s growth of slime on the bottom and the weight of all the cruising equipment we have gathered over the year.
Both boats sailed together in a brisk force 4 down to the Hamble where we stopped for a late lunch of bacon butties on board Le Passion. The wind picked up and the heavens opened over lunch and we felt a little sorry for Peter and Jane when we threw them their lines in 20 knots of wind and freezing rain as they left for the return trip back to Ocean Village.