Dateline 7 September 2000

The scheduled cruise from Southampton to Weymouth went ahead as planned on Sunday 3 September in excellent weather. Another good day for weather on Monday saw Waverley off service at Southampton when a lot of work was done on various aspects of the ship.

Unfortunately, the weather then broke with the wind setting up increasingly rough seas as time went on. Outward calls were made on Tuesday at Swanage and Bournemouth on the way to Sandown and Portsmouth. Passage both ways was via the Solent. The return call at Bournemouth was not possible, with passengers coached home from Swanage. The light sail to Weymouth did not take place, the paddler remaining alongside Swanage Pier. Overnight a lot of work was done on the Caterpillar generator unit.

On Wednesday, Weymouth passengers were coached to join the ship at Swanage. Neither call at Bournemouth took place. Passengers had a choice, as planned, between time ashore at Yarmouth or a Solent cruise. Travellers for Weymouth were again treated to a coach trip from Swanage. Waverley proceeded to Southampton for bunkers and the night.

Thursday's sailing was delayed at Portsmouth for 25 minutes while work was carried out on the port paddle shaft bearing. Subsequently the call at Yarmouth went ahead, but out at sea conditions were deteriorating, and the decision was taken to cancel the Bournemouth call and divert the afternoon cruise. The was a considerable swell running under the Pier.

Approaching Swanage the outbound Condor catamaran to the Channel Islands passed across our stern.

Soon we passed Old Harry Rocks.

From Swanage, instead of the paddler heading west for Lulworth, we steamed north into Poole Harbour.

Entering Poole Harbour The chain ferry Bramble Bush Bay is about to cross the narrow entrance, while Harvey's Princess of the Lakes make for the landing stage at Sandbanks.

During the diverted cruise we exchanged whistle salutes with the Solent Scene, commanded by one of Waverley's former Masters, Captain Peter Tambling.

We turned adjacent to the Continental Ferry Berth where Brittany Ferries Barfleur was preparing to sail for Cherbourg

The turn was made with the assistance of the Poole Harbour Company's tug Herbert Ballan

Leaving the Harbour, the Pilot took us out along the unusual North Channel.

Another first was a sweep into Studland Bay to view Old Harry Rocks from the west.

One of the teething troubles to be solved after the Rebuild is reducing the working temperatures in the Engine Room. These pictures show the temporary solution of yellow plastic trunking incorporating fan units.

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