Accurate navigation is everything in this game..........
Happy Daze in an idyllic harbour.
Thursday 22 July 2010
Padstow and beyond........
Accurate navigation is everything in this game..........
Happy Daze in an idyllic harbour.
Leg 17
Penzance to Padstow. Weds 21st July
We had a really early start, 4.00am, to make the most of the tide around Lands End. The sun was rising just as we went around the tip, and started to head North - Happy Daze!! We are at last on the great north run! The sea was a bit choppy with a lazy swell pushing us along. As we came to Cape Cornwall, just north of Longships, we came across a basking shark - unbelievable! Just the one, but was pretty huge. We got a good view, but as always when we took a picture you can't really even see it! The winds were Southerly, so for once not on the nose, but quite slight so we did get the sail up, but kept the engine on. With the tide behind us though, we kept a good average speed of 5-6kn, and got to Padstow about 3.30pm. Pretty exhausted though. Padstow is about a mile up the Camel river, with lots of sandy beaches on its banks, and just a narrow channel up to the harbour. The inner harbour has a barrier that is open for just 3 hours ish each high water. We thought we had just missed getting into the harbour, but we made it! Very pretty and quite cosmopolitan. Probably the 'poshest' place we have been so far.
We celebrate rounding the corner with a shower and a few well earned beers!! Then its down to planning the next leg, which will be a long one again, jumping across to South Wales.
Wednesday 21 July 2010
Basking Sharks
Basking Shark off Lands End......spot it if you can ...... Gary, please point it out to the simpletons if you can please buddy, thanks. A and I
Tuesday 20 July 2010
Corned Beef - a decisive weapon ?
In the UK corned beef refers to the tinned (canned) variety, which is made from finely minced corned beef in a small amount of gelatine (bully beef from the French word bouille or 'boiled'). Sold in distinctive oblong shaped cans or in slices from most good supermarkets.
It is mainly imported from Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay - but if given a choice my preferred purchase is the Argentinian variety (stop harking on about the Falklands Pablo!).
Bully beef and biscuits were the main field rations of the British Army from the Boer War to World War II. Corned beef is commonly served in a sandwich or as hash (mash - Normal for Norfolk NFN) where small cubes are added to mash potato.
My point is, without the humble corned beef, the population of the UK may well have now been speaking German.
Heil meat products!!
It is mainly imported from Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay - but if given a choice my preferred purchase is the Argentinian variety (stop harking on about the Falklands Pablo!).
Bully beef and biscuits were the main field rations of the British Army from the Boer War to World War II. Corned beef is commonly served in a sandwich or as hash (mash - Normal for Norfolk NFN) where small cubes are added to mash potato.
My point is, without the humble corned beef, the population of the UK may well have now been speaking German.
Heil meat products!!
Monday 19 July 2010
Leg 16
Falmouth to Penzance (ooo aargh) Sun 18th July
We didn't need to be away too early, so had a bit of a Sunday lie in. We don't need to get to the Lizard point too early or we would be fighting tide. It was a bit of a grey day though, so as we crossed towards the Manacles, we didn't see much of the coast. The Helford River is supposed to be very pretty but we were a bit too far off to really see!
As we cam around the Manacles we got our first proper wildlife viewing - 2 wopping great Minke whales - amazing. We were really chuffed!
So headed on to the Lizard. For me, this and Lands End are the worrisome bits of this part of the journey. As we got closer to the Lizard the sea did start getting bigger, so I kept well off shore, as the almanac suggests! The anchor on the bow gets a good few dips in the sea, and at one point I look up to see a small wave making its way along the deck, over the hatch to the life raft!! Ivan at this point is below having a snooze. When he re-appears he says 'what are we doing so far off shore?' !!! No way was I going closer, with big waves breaking between us and the Point. When we did alter course to head for Penzance (ooo aargh) the wind was at last with us, and we got to sail it the rest the way - fab.
As we were going across the bay, we were joined by a pod of dolphin - what a wonderful wildlife day we were having. They stayed with us for about an hour and half. Swimming around, under and of course at the bow of the boat. Ivan got some good photos and video. Brilliant.
We got to Penzance (ooo aargh) at tea time but had to wait on swinging mooring outside the wet dock til we could get in at high water. This gave us time to properly sit down and work out the tides and tidal stream for getting around Lands End (nothing like planning ahead huh!). Unfortunately it means a stupid o'clock early start, but can't be helped. Think we will have an extra day in Penzance (ooo aargh) to do pirate (ooo aargh) type things and leave early Tuesday when its slightly less stupid o'clock!!
Well the wildlife made the day for us, when it looked to be just a grey Sunday motoring along!
Leg 15
Fowey to Falmouth. Sat 17th July
So we got a break in the weather and headed out for a short hop round to Falmouth. We even got the sails up and engine off quite quickly, making 4kn. We got to Dodman point but then head to wind so motored the rest of the way. The Fal estuary is about a mile wide at the entrance, and it seemed that everyone and their mother was out in a sail boat, racing all over the entrance! We just kept a straight course through them, and managed to come out the other side unscathed! Another swinging mooring for the night. A well sheltered spot, and recommended for a quiet night, apart from the firework display, karaoke and drunken singing when the clubs chucked out at 2.30 in the morning!!
So we got a break in the weather and headed out for a short hop round to Falmouth. We even got the sails up and engine off quite quickly, making 4kn. We got to Dodman point but then head to wind so motored the rest of the way. The Fal estuary is about a mile wide at the entrance, and it seemed that everyone and their mother was out in a sail boat, racing all over the entrance! We just kept a straight course through them, and managed to come out the other side unscathed! Another swinging mooring for the night. A well sheltered spot, and recommended for a quiet night, apart from the firework display, karaoke and drunken singing when the clubs chucked out at 2.30 in the morning!!
Leg 14
Newton Ferrers to Fowey. Sun 11th July
After a pretty sleepless night we up anchored and headed into a big swell and wind on the nose!! Once we got past Plymouth Sound, the wind turned a little so managed a motor sail, which helped to steady the boat from the swell, and we got another 2kn out of her. For the last couple of hours through to Fowey, we managed without the engine, and it was lovely.
The coastline was really pretty, with amazing caves and fissures, rock falls, and golden sandy beaches, with aquamarine water. There were lots of folks out walking the cliff paths in the sun, as we approached Fowey. We were just beginning to wonder where the entrance to the river was, when this cruise liner seemed to appear from out of the cliff - thats where!! The entrance was very pretty, with a castle on each side protecting it from invaders (and yachty's from the North!). We were on a swinging mooring here. My brother and his wife (Chris and Vicky) were on holiday for the week so we soon met up for a beer! Our plan was to spend a few days here with them, but it turned into six! On Thursday we were ready to leave but the weather kicked off. In the evening it was gale force 8 - in the harbour, with gusts, we reckon, up to force 9 and 10. Quite thrilling to experience it but glad we were in the harbour, and not in a tent - like Chris and Vicky!, or at sea.
After a pretty sleepless night we up anchored and headed into a big swell and wind on the nose!! Once we got past Plymouth Sound, the wind turned a little so managed a motor sail, which helped to steady the boat from the swell, and we got another 2kn out of her. For the last couple of hours through to Fowey, we managed without the engine, and it was lovely.
The coastline was really pretty, with amazing caves and fissures, rock falls, and golden sandy beaches, with aquamarine water. There were lots of folks out walking the cliff paths in the sun, as we approached Fowey. We were just beginning to wonder where the entrance to the river was, when this cruise liner seemed to appear from out of the cliff - thats where!! The entrance was very pretty, with a castle on each side protecting it from invaders (and yachty's from the North!). We were on a swinging mooring here. My brother and his wife (Chris and Vicky) were on holiday for the week so we soon met up for a beer! Our plan was to spend a few days here with them, but it turned into six! On Thursday we were ready to leave but the weather kicked off. In the evening it was gale force 8 - in the harbour, with gusts, we reckon, up to force 9 and 10. Quite thrilling to experience it but glad we were in the harbour, and not in a tent - like Chris and Vicky!, or at sea.
We're Back Online
Hey there followers and hearty shipmates.
We are in a place with excellent wi-fi internet access in the harbour and still in the cheap seats (so to speak!!) After staying in a few exclusive new marinas where the wi-fi was slow, unreliable, and you had to pay for it, we are in cheap and cheerful Penzance wet harbour, rafted 7 deep with all and sundry, one shower and toilet for the whole harbour and the fastest and best wi-fi totally free!! Happy Daze.
So I have made the most of this and posted video!! Hope it downloads for you OK. Will also put a few more pics on.
We are here for the day (Mon 19th July), will leave at high water this eve, then wait on a swinging mooring just outside the harbour wall til 4.30 in the morning, then we head off to catch the tide northwards around Lands End. Its non stop through to Padstow then, and if we are lucky we should have the wind in our favour, and will give the engine a well earned rest!
If you just see posts with words only its all I can add via my phone. I will try to keep a bit more up-to-date!
We are in a place with excellent wi-fi internet access in the harbour and still in the cheap seats (so to speak!!) After staying in a few exclusive new marinas where the wi-fi was slow, unreliable, and you had to pay for it, we are in cheap and cheerful Penzance wet harbour, rafted 7 deep with all and sundry, one shower and toilet for the whole harbour and the fastest and best wi-fi totally free!! Happy Daze.
So I have made the most of this and posted video!! Hope it downloads for you OK. Will also put a few more pics on.
We are here for the day (Mon 19th July), will leave at high water this eve, then wait on a swinging mooring just outside the harbour wall til 4.30 in the morning, then we head off to catch the tide northwards around Lands End. Its non stop through to Padstow then, and if we are lucky we should have the wind in our favour, and will give the engine a well earned rest!
If you just see posts with words only its all I can add via my phone. I will try to keep a bit more up-to-date!
Sunday 18 July 2010
Saturday 17 July 2010
Leg 13
Sorry about all the words and no pics for a while again. Not had access to a computer for a little while. Will put pic on soon as I can.
Brixham to Newton Ferrers. 10/7/10
We had a day rest in Brixham. Very hot n windless so chilled out! Up early the next day for a long trip around Start Point and beyond. A feature of RYA dayskipper and yachtmaster 'fictional' charts and there it was in real life! Very pretty cliff coastline, with deep crevasses, caves and crytal clear waters. We are motoring as usual, and later a big swell creates a confused sea that is uncomfortable but we keep going. Decide to anchor in the bay by the sand bar at the entrance of the R. Yealm then go round into the creek by tender for supper at the Dolphin pub. Creek very pretty n fish pie very tasty! The wind got up a bit at the anchorage and we end up having to re anchor (a few times!) before we are confident we will not wake up on the rocks!! At the last anchor attempt we see an amazing display of phosphoresence - worth getting up at 2.00am for I tell myself!!
Brixham to Newton Ferrers. 10/7/10
We had a day rest in Brixham. Very hot n windless so chilled out! Up early the next day for a long trip around Start Point and beyond. A feature of RYA dayskipper and yachtmaster 'fictional' charts and there it was in real life! Very pretty cliff coastline, with deep crevasses, caves and crytal clear waters. We are motoring as usual, and later a big swell creates a confused sea that is uncomfortable but we keep going. Decide to anchor in the bay by the sand bar at the entrance of the R. Yealm then go round into the creek by tender for supper at the Dolphin pub. Creek very pretty n fish pie very tasty! The wind got up a bit at the anchorage and we end up having to re anchor (a few times!) before we are confident we will not wake up on the rocks!! At the last anchor attempt we see an amazing display of phosphoresence - worth getting up at 2.00am for I tell myself!!
Leg 12
Lyme Regis to Brixham. 8/7/10
We are on a bit of a roll and head out into the bay early to catch the tide. The mist has gone but the sea is like a mill pond with not a breath of wind!! The forecast is yet again wrong and we motor along. It's warm though so at least we can top up our suntan and catch up on sleep!! The Devon coastline is pretty with big red cliffs, inaccessible woodlands and pretty seaside towns and villages. We were passing places that we had both been to on holidays as kids so had a few trips down memory lane! The wind did get up a bit towards the end of the day and we got a good sail for the last hour or so. Just at the entrance to Brixham harbour I lost my cap overboard so we practiced a
man overboard routine to retrieve it in the path of oncoming fishing vessels - interesting! There is a pretty cove just at the entrance too so we decided to anchor. Got the rods out and soon had enough mackeral for 2 nights tea! Brixham is a busy fishing port full of 'beamers' a type of trawler that looks just like the Hatherleigh.
We are on a bit of a roll and head out into the bay early to catch the tide. The mist has gone but the sea is like a mill pond with not a breath of wind!! The forecast is yet again wrong and we motor along. It's warm though so at least we can top up our suntan and catch up on sleep!! The Devon coastline is pretty with big red cliffs, inaccessible woodlands and pretty seaside towns and villages. We were passing places that we had both been to on holidays as kids so had a few trips down memory lane! The wind did get up a bit towards the end of the day and we got a good sail for the last hour or so. Just at the entrance to Brixham harbour I lost my cap overboard so we practiced a
man overboard routine to retrieve it in the path of oncoming fishing vessels - interesting! There is a pretty cove just at the entrance too so we decided to anchor. Got the rods out and soon had enough mackeral for 2 nights tea! Brixham is a busy fishing port full of 'beamers' a type of trawler that looks just like the Hatherleigh.
Leg 11
Portland to Lyme Regis. 7/7/10
Keeping up the momentum we are out of the marina early
but a very grey day with really poor visibility. Our 1st task is to get round the bill with the infamous Portland Race. We plan it to go with the tide and get round without problem. We didn't see much of it though and even less of Lyme Bay as visibility was down to about half a mile! We were heading for Lyme Regis and got the sails up once around the bill and managed a good few hours without the motor. When we got to Lyme Regis we didn't see it til we almost sailed straight into the harbour!! Pretty little place with the famous Cobb. Didn't bump into Meryl Streep though.......
Keeping up the momentum we are out of the marina early
but a very grey day with really poor visibility. Our 1st task is to get round the bill with the infamous Portland Race. We plan it to go with the tide and get round without problem. We didn't see much of it though and even less of Lyme Bay as visibility was down to about half a mile! We were heading for Lyme Regis and got the sails up once around the bill and managed a good few hours without the motor. When we got to Lyme Regis we didn't see it til we almost sailed straight into the harbour!! Pretty little place with the famous Cobb. Didn't bump into Meryl Streep though.......
Leg 10
Swanage to Portland Marina. 6/7/10
Well after a good few days at anchor in Swanage time to move on. There was not much wind, and
of course it was on the nose as usual so we motored along to Portland. A beautiful stretch of coastline. We got 'moved along' in the firing range off Warbarrow bay! Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door looked good through the binoculars!! Portland harbour is massive with tankers at anchor in the bay and navy ships in the harbour. The marina is brand new, ready to be the sailing centre for the olympics. The showers were the best ever!! We cycled into Weymouth which has a very pretty old harbour area and very long beach full of kids n very pink people!!
Well after a good few days at anchor in Swanage time to move on. There was not much wind, and
of course it was on the nose as usual so we motored along to Portland. A beautiful stretch of coastline. We got 'moved along' in the firing range off Warbarrow bay! Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door looked good through the binoculars!! Portland harbour is massive with tankers at anchor in the bay and navy ships in the harbour. The marina is brand new, ready to be the sailing centre for the olympics. The showers were the best ever!! We cycled into Weymouth which has a very pretty old harbour area and very long beach full of kids n very pink people!!
Wednesday 7 July 2010
Sad News
Today we mourn the sad loss of Felix. Felix has been one of the crew since the beginning of the trip and a valued shipmate throughout. Many happy hours have been spent watching him gambolling around the soft fruits and meat products. Sadly on the morning of 7/7/2010 he was found prostrate in the butter dish. We decided a fitting send off was to spread him liberally on a Ritz cracker and commit his body to the deep. Unfortunately Ritz crackers are not renouned for their negative bouyancy. We had to be content with watching him float away.
Bon Voyage Dear Felix.
Felix the Fly
8/6/10 - 7/7/10
Bon Voyage Dear Felix.
Felix the Fly
8/6/10 - 7/7/10
Monday 5 July 2010
Saturday 3 July 2010
Leg Nine
Thurs 1st July
Portsmouth to Swanage
We had 3 days doing the sights of Portsmouth. The submarine museum was the best. Ivan was like a kid in a sweet shop! But time to keep heading west. The tides in the Solent are tricky. After checking the almanac a 0300 start would give us the best run but we needed fuel so couldn't go til after 0900 - but then realised that Angela made an error with tide times n we could go mid
morning!! We were out the harbour pronto, we had a police escort (oh, that was for the war ship was it?) the sun was shining (shorts and t-shirts) and the wind for once was good for us. We had a fantastic sail, down to, and past Cowes. This is it at last!!!
We lost the wind a bit and motored past Hurst Point then motor sailed all the way to Swanage. A pretty town with a sheltered bay for safe anchorage. We had the anchor down and tender in the water for a swift beach landing within 30 minutes. We piled up right in front of a seafood bar and didn't hesitate a second in ordering food n beer. The perfect end to the best day so far. After mucking up the tides it could have been very different!!
Portsmouth to Swanage
We had 3 days doing the sights of Portsmouth. The submarine museum was the best. Ivan was like a kid in a sweet shop! But time to keep heading west. The tides in the Solent are tricky. After checking the almanac a 0300 start would give us the best run but we needed fuel so couldn't go til after 0900 - but then realised that Angela made an error with tide times n we could go mid
morning!! We were out the harbour pronto, we had a police escort (oh, that was for the war ship was it?) the sun was shining (shorts and t-shirts) and the wind for once was good for us. We had a fantastic sail, down to, and past Cowes. This is it at last!!!
We lost the wind a bit and motored past Hurst Point then motor sailed all the way to Swanage. A pretty town with a sheltered bay for safe anchorage. We had the anchor down and tender in the water for a swift beach landing within 30 minutes. We piled up right in front of a seafood bar and didn't hesitate a second in ordering food n beer. The perfect end to the best day so far. After mucking up the tides it could have been very different!!
Leg Eight
Sun 27 June
Eastbourne to Portsmouth
After some scorching weather, seafront wandering in Eastbourne sampling some fine fresh seafood and ice creams it's time to head into the wind and motor on to Portsmouth. We set off on a sea oily calm and perfect for diving but no wind and against tide so slow around Beachy Head. Still, plenty of time to catch the light just right taking photos of all the chalk cliffs!! A few porpoise keep us company. As we head to Selsy Bill we do get the sails up briefly and it's peaceful as the sun falls over the Portsmouth skyline with it's massive spinnaker tower. Then the wind is on the nose again and it's engine on again! We get into the marina in the dark and just our luck that they give us probably the only berth out of 500+ that is on a finger missing it's letter and individual berth missing it's number! Like looking for a needle in a haystack after14 hours at sea - not funny! Glad to get there tho n collapse into bed.
Eastbourne to Portsmouth
After some scorching weather, seafront wandering in Eastbourne sampling some fine fresh seafood and ice creams it's time to head into the wind and motor on to Portsmouth. We set off on a sea oily calm and perfect for diving but no wind and against tide so slow around Beachy Head. Still, plenty of time to catch the light just right taking photos of all the chalk cliffs!! A few porpoise keep us company. As we head to Selsy Bill we do get the sails up briefly and it's peaceful as the sun falls over the Portsmouth skyline with it's massive spinnaker tower. Then the wind is on the nose again and it's engine on again! We get into the marina in the dark and just our luck that they give us probably the only berth out of 500+ that is on a finger missing it's letter and individual berth missing it's number! Like looking for a needle in a haystack after14 hours at sea - not funny! Glad to get there tho n collapse into bed.
Leg Seven
Fri 25 June
Dover to Eastbourne.
After doing the castle ( very impressive) and piers ( a bygone era) we are ready for new places to explore so despite wind still on the nose we have an early start and head west. Engine all the way with sails up briefly to help ish!! Flat seas and the hours now seem to fly by. We arrive after 10 hours at sea but it feels like only 2 or 3!! The marina is amazing - a whole town built up around it. We go for beers n curry (it is Friday afterall, and we are celebrating completing the purchase of the North Panhouse croft on Eday. Weather very sunny now, I think summer has arrived from the west!
Dover to Eastbourne.
After doing the castle ( very impressive) and piers ( a bygone era) we are ready for new places to explore so despite wind still on the nose we have an early start and head west. Engine all the way with sails up briefly to help ish!! Flat seas and the hours now seem to fly by. We arrive after 10 hours at sea but it feels like only 2 or 3!! The marina is amazing - a whole town built up around it. We go for beers n curry (it is Friday afterall, and we are celebrating completing the purchase of the North Panhouse croft on Eday. Weather very sunny now, I think summer has arrived from the west!
Leg Six
Tues 22June.
Ramsgate to Dover
A short hop and again the wind is on the nose but we refuel and just decide to go for it!! We motor all the way. Good views of the coast, with the White cliffs etc. Dover harbour entrance is like ferry rush hour constantly! We dodge them n get in ok tho. We are moored by 2.00pm making it the shortest day so far and after a little wander into town a few beers on deck in the sun make us wonder if summer finally arrived?
Ramsgate to Dover
A short hop and again the wind is on the nose but we refuel and just decide to go for it!! We motor all the way. Good views of the coast, with the White cliffs etc. Dover harbour entrance is like ferry rush hour constantly! We dodge them n get in ok tho. We are moored by 2.00pm making it the shortest day so far and after a little wander into town a few beers on deck in the sun make us wonder if summer finally arrived?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)