The sail up the Thames was fantastic. We probably averaged about 20 knots of wind. With gusts approaching the 30 mark later in the day when a line squall hit, we were truly seeing what the boat could do for the first time. What was so exciting about beating to windward was we were in the middle of a Thames Barge race. We sailed from Rochester to Gravesend under sail only to stop in Erith, where we tied up to a buoy for the night. Bliss and Sophie excelled themselves sailing through a line squall with all our canvas out, skippers fault. I was down bellow checking out what wasn't stowed properly. The Thames Barges reduced sail and we followed suit. I think we made up a nick name for Sophie and Bliss that day, the crewtons. Here they are looking very serious.
