We sadly left Littlehampton, which seemed a really lovely peaceful place. Of course seeing everything in sunshine does help! We had to go about 0800 in order to get over the bar. It was a quiet morning, no wind and a smooth sea. We went out passing the fairy castle turrets in the left and a row of seagulls sitting on the wooden breakwater on the right. Once out we floated slowly without any need to hurry as we can’t get over the next bar, into Chichester Harbour until 5 ish . We had decided that since it’s a nice day, we could anchor for lunch for a few hours to pass the time. So we did! We anchored off West Whittering beach. Everywhere is pretty shallow so we were still a way away from the beach, anchored in 5 or so metres. We had ham salad sandwiches for lunch, after which all the others went swimming off the back of the boat! Apparently it was lovely! I was quite content watching. Remembering the last time Julian had been swimming! He did go under the boat to check the anode round the prop shaft, as he thought that might be responsible for a strange extra whine we had heard when the engine was on. Anyway the noise has since stopped so 🤞 it wasn’t anything significant. Once it was time we put out the headsail as the wind had got up and sailed into Chichester Harbour with its thousands of boats. Many dinghys on the shore and day sailing boats on moorings as well as big boats. Very different from anything else and beautiful. We pulled in the headsail in and motored inland past anchored boats at east head and lines of boats on moorings, between which the channel winded it’s way. Millionaires pads flanked both shores at Itchenor. Hundreds of boats in lines …. Wonder where they all keep their tenders? As we approached Chichester Harbour where we had a berth booked , we witnessed a new phenomena…. a queue!!!we had to enter through a lock and there were about 6 boats in front of us, stooging around in the shallow channel. Eventually we got into the lock with three others, and were handed lines down from the top. A new experience on this trip! We’d always had pontoons before, but think this is the way to make best use of room within the lock. Once in and berthed, Tim took Julian to Tesco’s and we cleared up, sorted stuff and Sue did her packing. Sue and Tim don’t live far away from Chichester, so their kind children had come to pick them up and we all went out for a really delicious Indian meal nearby. Afterwards we had to say a sad au revoir and a massive thank you to both of them for helping us over the last ten days . Many memorable and fun times were had. 🤗
What I learned today….. more lock techniques😳 and what rope goes where…….
West pole 
The queue for the lock at Chichester Marina
Angelique 