tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45589913337059909772024-02-21T04:47:25.240+00:00Yacht Alexandria - Circumnavigation of BritainOn 16 June 2014, Yacht Alexandria left Shotley near Harwich and sailed round Britain, visiting Wales, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man, Scotland, the Hebrides and Orkneys. The whole trip took 6 weeks, covered 2200 miles, involved 20 crew changes and took on some of the most difficult tidal waters and hostile coastline..and the British weather. A Challenge to be proud of. This is our blog.
https://www.justgiving.com/s-p-o/Alexandriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12758018328126779778noreply@blogger.comBlogger105125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4558991333705990977.post-20611634699251699872014-08-13T22:14:00.000+01:002014-08-14T12:21:33.632+01:00Reflections on a successful circumnavigation"So how was it?", people ask.<br />
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I would say it was an intense experience with no let up from the physical and mental burden which all skippers feel. There are other words I would use too. Responsibility, for the safety of each of my friends and crew, and the boat. Great fun, recalling the many moments of humour, some dark, some irreverent, some directed at me! Great friendship, shared with crew who are not always at their best at 4 in the morning, or who are feeling sea sick but still contribute without complaint. Humility, when I recall that 20 people gave up hard earned family and work commitments to take part in my challenge...which became their challenge too. Gratitude, to West Suffolk Hospital for monitoring my INR levels while I was away. Admiration, for the fantastic Broadblue boat itself which sailed and looked after us so well and never caused us any worry, however big the sea and hard the wind. Awe, for the beautiful island of Britain which we inhabit, but so little of which we had visited. Appreciation, for the professional standard of care extended by the Coastguard who looked out for us all the way round. Thanks, for my family who indulged my obsession and took up the slack while I was away.<br />
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For those who like statistics, here are some which might be of interest:<br />
Distance traveled over the ground: 2,211nm (we added on a few locations as we were running ahead of schedule).<br />
Of this, the tide gave us 243nm.<br />
53pct sailed (though sometimes no sailing for several days of there as no wind)<br />
42 places visited.<br />
43 days of sailing/motoring.(England, Wales, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man, Scotland, Orkneys)<br />
1 overnight passage.<br />
135nm longest non-stop passage<br />
1 day lost for bad weather.<br />
1 proper emergency (jammed rope needed to be cut in Grimsby lock to prevent us hanging)<br />
9 may days and 5 pan pans overheard within a 20nm radius of us.<br />
37 knots highest gust of wind<br />
34 knots highest sustained wind speed<br />
14 knots highest speed SOG while surfing<br />
12.4knots highest sustained speed SOG<br />
Minimum people on board, just me during my solo<br />
Maximum people on board 4<br />
20 crew met and despatched around the country<br />
12,650 approx crew miles travelled to/from the boat/home.<br />
0 No. of scratches or damage to hull<br />
0 fishing nets or pots snared<br />
Wear and tear to boat: one mis aligned lower spreader, one galley drawer needs attention.<br />
10,000 approx litres of water used<br />
1,100 litres of fuel used (2 engines)<br />
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0 medical complications</div>
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£1,200 so far collected for Suffolk Philharmonic Orchestra.</div>
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0 the number of paper charts used (we had the complete lot all the way round Britain, just in case).</div>
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8400, the number of people from all over the world who have visited the blog.</div>
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This is the link to a video taken by Wandering River of our arrival back at Shotley as the curcumnavigation ends. Click on this link.</div>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2BUdV2MCbs&sns=em">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2BUdV2MCbs&sns=em</a><br />
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Sailing past Shotley lock, about to drop sails<br />
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19m air draught is a lot of mast!</div>
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The reality dawns. We've done it!...</div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Three cheers, horns and sirens greet us at the lock, and Champagne in our berth.</span></div>
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We fill the lock. No room for error...</div>
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Alexandria reverses into her home berth</div>
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Pleasure mixed with relief.</div>
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So, in the spirit of an honesty box, and rather like one of those restaurants where you pay what you want, I need your help, please! I have spent a lot of effort maintaining this blog, sometimes falling asleep over it. I hope I have successfully reached out to sailors and non-sailors alike. If you have read the blog and you enjoyed reading it, PLEASE DONATE A FIVER (or more) to the Suffolk Philharmonic Orchestra. To donate, the link is:</div>
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<a href="https://www.justgiving.com/s-p-o/">https://www.justgiving.com/s-p-o/</a> or just click on the green SPONSOR ME square at the top of this page</div>
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This has been an exceptional challenge, the planning and execution of which, has briefly taken over parts of my life. I would be delighted to help any others who are planning a circumnavigation if they want to contact me on alexandria@keepturningright.com.<br />
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In the meantime, carpe diem!</div>
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Alexandriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12758018328126779778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4558991333705990977.post-88640353009644892242014-08-09T10:09:00.001+01:002014-08-09T10:09:44.489+01:00Thoughts from Andrew - the last day back into Shotley<div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">My sail from Scarborough to Shotley was as diverse as the accents in each harbour. But for peace and tranquility, nothing will beat the last day gliding along steadily on a calm sea (its amazing how it can change) with more seals than lobster pots to avoid, it was paradise. As the towns and day passed by, being only on my fourth day I was ready to sail on past Alexandria’s berth to who knows where, but we both had commitments and more importantly so did Alexandria as when we arrived at the gates to the marina there was a welcoming committee, together with a crowd curious to see what all the fuss was about. As Martin’s confidence had grown in my helming skills, I had been allowed to take us nearer and nearer to our final destination each evening. But with only 50cm (!!!!) to spare each side, yes, Alexandria does fit in the marina lock but and with cameras pointing it was easy to visualise many other scenarios. Frankly I was very pleased Martin was at the helm this time and not me!</span></div></span></div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoIK4RKEb7i8WQyf3xQd1lRhfCfgXz8IVcExvKt14rbkw3DMYbGv7mtu_ZVERq65mEQNg448PPYgIJr3Wo8L1oIr_yLAoTN2Xm8kt5dCh9xNbYwxPQIEaZyoMgOnIHvxW5sC8ifne7a_M/s640/blogger-image-1909290884.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoIK4RKEb7i8WQyf3xQd1lRhfCfgXz8IVcExvKt14rbkw3DMYbGv7mtu_ZVERq65mEQNg448PPYgIJr3Wo8L1oIr_yLAoTN2Xm8kt5dCh9xNbYwxPQIEaZyoMgOnIHvxW5sC8ifne7a_M/s640/blogger-image-1909290884.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font color="#ff0000"><u><br></u></font><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoIK4RKEb7i8WQyf3xQd1lRhfCfgXz8IVcExvKt14rbkw3DMYbGv7mtu_ZVERq65mEQNg448PPYgIJr3Wo8L1oIr_yLAoTN2Xm8kt5dCh9xNbYwxPQIEaZyoMgOnIHvxW5sC8ifne7a_M/s640/blogger-image-1909290884.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzuEwlTW0wUa-obC0wQlUcD0uBZJf6Xg9frXfy94LorJpgqHY6-8D_SOUr0oTIOdQxMHowWCc51FPG_LGQ0m2cU6dtXMH7Y2Z6JuLkaTZ6ZhWeM4n08gC61PfkITQEnL1jhRG8hYomFtk/s640/blogger-image--570091405.jpg"></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both;"><br><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoIK4RKEb7i8WQyf3xQd1lRhfCfgXz8IVcExvKt14rbkw3DMYbGv7mtu_ZVERq65mEQNg448PPYgIJr3Wo8L1oIr_yLAoTN2Xm8kt5dCh9xNbYwxPQIEaZyoMgOnIHvxW5sC8ifne7a_M/s640/blogger-image-1909290884.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTvGO7OFNRT-e2Rgcagb9RolU2hpXtUNIBsPlmu-mQJS1iZnaUo_4Qf45ASDwuBNhLpfojX0EGojXtYjhYGQPgI34cq6Ugms3MJn8s1AwnTLktXYEY39DUwHjrZAoj7Kmp15XGHSHMZPk/s640/blogger-image--1671118428.jpg"></a></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both;"><font color="#0000ee"><br></font></div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-CzrtKFo0h9pbzCmtgZ0Y_76MHdTNNyS-CrAb1Go4P-0XfZt7vEf9vELG3ytW2jqX81QrEvOyX5jvs8TFfKsaxxNV1EdlY_hFjuJ46UUqnaLXRF3DHIIF49I96DFn3VIUKch_zhqHzvQ/s640/blogger-image--1525079692.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-CzrtKFo0h9pbzCmtgZ0Y_76MHdTNNyS-CrAb1Go4P-0XfZt7vEf9vELG3ytW2jqX81QrEvOyX5jvs8TFfKsaxxNV1EdlY_hFjuJ46UUqnaLXRF3DHIIF49I96DFn3VIUKch_zhqHzvQ/s640/blogger-image--1525079692.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font color="#ff0000"><u><br></u></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font color="#ff0000"><u><br></u></font></div><br></div><br></span></div>Alexandriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12758018328126779778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4558991333705990977.post-4252165344831343562014-08-08T22:36:00.001+01:002014-08-12T22:06:31.931+01:00Circumnavigation completed. Arrival at ShotleyYesterday, 7th August 2014, was a very special day. Andrew was the last man standing, the sole remaining member of my 20 strong support team that took me around the whole of Britain. You will recall that he and I had said good bye to Woody and William at Southwold and then sailed from Southwold to Shotley where Alexandria has her berth. We had a deliciously lazy day, sailing the last remaining passage of only around 35 nm, which meant that we could sail at a slow rate. So we chilled, listened to some music, chatted, ate Mr Kiplings, drank tea, ate through our stock of fruit lest scurvy should strike, and chatted some more. It's what sailing should be like, ruminating on life at a stately 4 or 5 knots, and it was quite different from the demented dashes which have characterised our adventure and which have been at once so exciting but also sometimes so tiring. No wonder my crew gets exhausted!<br />
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We ambled past Aldebrough, slipped past The river Deben both of which are familiar haunts of mine and we found ourselves converging on the shipping lane at Harwich. Andrew took us over and we marvelled at the number of yachts around, quite different from the rest of the country where, with the exception of the East Coast and South Coast we were usually alone for much of the day apart from the ubiquitous trawlers. </div>
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Suddenly, our day became more focused. Shotley marina called to say that there were people to meet us, cameras, photographers, so perhaps we should hurry up a bit. So, a quick change from shorts and no shoes to slightly smarter and we adjusted our sails and hurried towards Harwich. We elected to do a sail past as an act of vanity and to reward any photographers waiting. As we did so, at low water, it occurred to me how ironic it would be that we had safely travelled around 2100 miles around Britain, moored and berthed in really difficult places and had sustained no damage whatsoever, yet we might yet run aground feet from the lock! The sail past was terminated, and the business of fenders and lines was undertaken. It felt odd to be calling on the VHF to Shotley after all this time. "Shotley marina, Shotley marina this is Yacht Alexandria. We have returned from our curcumnavigation and would like to lock in!" " Approach on green, welcome home, the lock is ready for you".</div>
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And so, having briefed Andrew how we would squeeze our 6 metres wide vessel into the 7 metre lock at some speed to counteract the cross current, we made our final approach. We were both so focused on getting safely into the narrow lock, that we had not seen the large number of people on the lock side waiting to welcome us. Suddenly, clapping and cheering, THREE CHEERS FOR ALEXANDRIA, hooray! Then horns and sirens sounding, and as I looked up to the edge of the lock, Leslie and a dozen of the Suffolk Philharmonic Orchestra. We answered their welcome with a long blast from our fog horn. Exceptional and moving! Thank you.</div>
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There were a lot of photos and a serious looking camera, and BBC Look East were rumoured to be around as well as the local papers. After welcoming Les back on board for the last 50 metres of manoeuvring into our usual berth, two bottles of Champagne were produced, and 12 people and 2 children boarded the boat. I had forgotten what is was like to have polite society, so just as well I changed. </div>
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Having put the boat to bed, Andrew and I were taken on to Bury St Edmunds where we had a completely spontaneous meal at a local restaurant, and where Andy, Matthew, and Ian joined us with some of their wives. It was a very special evening of about 14 people, all local friends. </div>
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This afternoon, having slept very well indeed I went down to Shotley to clear up and clean after the last 6 weeks intense activity. I reflected as I was driving down, that it was a sudden surprise to realise that we had actually completed a circumnavigation, as the regular and predictable progress every day belied the cumulative progress we had made. 2100 miles, without injury or mishap, all safe and sound. Quite a relief. I was delayed returning home so that I could make a very short live interview by 'phone for BBC Suffolk, which was quite fun. Inevitably, there was much more I wanted to say than I could in the short time, so I shall keep that for another blog, tomorrow, plus some footage of our arrival.</div>
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In the meantime, here is the last complement snapped on our last morning together.</div>
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...and<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> Andrew getting excited about a 3G signal nearby.</span></div>
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Alexandriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12758018328126779778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4558991333705990977.post-10353980625835522332014-08-07T14:09:00.001+01:002014-08-07T14:22:54.595+01:00Safe arrival in Southwold, Suffolk<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>After a very long day starting at 0330 to escape Wells next the sea, yesterday we berthed at Southwold after refuelling in Lowestoft.<div><br></div><div>The tidal cycle was against us and in an effort to leave Wells, the latest time to slip from our berth was 0400. We had already decided who would do what, as we needed to execute a smart exit on the very last of a falling tide, in pitch black and with 1m of water under the keel for much of the way, and in a long meandering channel which shifts away from even the latest buoy positions. At 0400 everyone was ready, and we slipped. A very odd sensation leaving our berth in the darkness for what you know is a tricky exit. I helmed, helped by having recorded my snail trail on the way in, Andrew cross checked our position versus sonar charts and directed me "Port, starboard, a little port. "STARBOARD!" yells Woody on the bows who is tasked with highlighting the unlit perches which suggest our way. All this with the knowledge that we might beach at any time. We would be left high and dry when the port awoke, a very large, conspicuous monument to what might turn into a foolhardy, though safe, exit from a notorious inland harbour. <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Our minimum depth was a heart stopping 0,6m although we may have actually grounded temporarily as we attempted a tight turn. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">But we made it, and the joy of seeing the depth gauge increase, feeling the waves from the sea moving the boat, and the wind in our sail as the sun started to rise is indescribable. A triumphant and happy crew who met a difficult challenge head on.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Having left Wells at 0400, we had a very good sail, towards Southwold, and into very heavy rain indeed which necessitated nav lights on and sailing by radar. Sea sickness returned to our crew briefly, as the sea became very choppy, whipped up by 25 knots of wind, now bang on the nose. Very rough conditions as we came through Scroby Sands and I was concerned that we were using more fuel than the gauges suggested, and had not been able to refuel earlier. We diverted to Lowestoft and the Royal Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht club fuel berth who made themselves available at short notice, and although we had a back up plan, and a back up plan to that too, I was still relieved to land in Lowestoft for refuelling. Sea sickness had by now been conquered so we went on to Southwold, which was just 2 hours down the coast albeit still uncomfortable at times. Thank goodness we were not in a monohull whose crashing and banging might well have been epic! Our two finely pointed hulls shudder occasionally, but otherwise cut through the large waves and both Andrew and Woody as skilled helmsmen, were able to point so that one hull was on the higher wave and one on the lower, and the ride was rather better.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">And so, entering at half tide, but nearly at neaps, we entered Southwold, another difficult river entry. We had reserved a berth but it had been taken by some opportunistic Dutch yachts before we arrived, so we spent some time turning and turning again in the narrow river seeing where we wanted to raft. Options were down to one only, and we rafted up against a fishing vessel, prepared for agitation from its owner, but there were no other options. The owner had been tipped off, and arrived full of bluster and irritation, which I reduced to just annoyance and a concession that we could stay in exchange for a promise that we would be clear of his vessel by 0545 the following morning ...and a promise to pay the fee due to the marina to him instead! In the event, we had moved the boat to a space vacated by the opportunistic Dutch, and the irritable fisherman did not claim his money, ...but the harbourmaster did!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">So, today was another early start softened by the memory of an excellent dinner last night, which we elected to be fish and chips as William had been looking forward to it for the last three days! Woody and William left for Guernsey at 0900 this morning and we were sorry to see them go. They are both great fun. </font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Now, Andrew and I are enroute to Shotley, and the end of our circumnavigation. As I blog, we are sailing along with a tide against us but the pleasing sound of our wake behind us, and the sight of a yacht ahead of us which we are rapidly catching up. Queue the Walkyries. Andrew thinks the yacht is French... Orford lighthouse is slowly swishing past and Andrew has a 3G signal to attend to some important business. Life is good.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Our ETA is 1700 7th August at Shotley. </font></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXDBEsmFW0ogv0JE3pzSWLhjM9Sajz7ETFpfOpsDdPZNIZH4WBTJrlgLruqyFyUgRXZhW0Ekq0oSj8_KIS67qjGJBusHJHL2YTY-A3jszN2NsxNaeLHIp1JWx4t4tvfbwJpdDpr3RGl4Q/s640/blogger-image-753235036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXDBEsmFW0ogv0JE3pzSWLhjM9Sajz7ETFpfOpsDdPZNIZH4WBTJrlgLruqyFyUgRXZhW0Ekq0oSj8_KIS67qjGJBusHJHL2YTY-A3jszN2NsxNaeLHIp1JWx4t4tvfbwJpdDpr3RGl4Q/s640/blogger-image-753235036.jpg"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXDBEsmFW0ogv0JE3pzSWLhjM9Sajz7ETFpfOpsDdPZNIZH4WBTJrlgLruqyFyUgRXZhW0Ekq0oSj8_KIS67qjGJBusHJHL2YTY-A3jszN2NsxNaeLHIp1JWx4t4tvfbwJpdDpr3RGl4Q/s640/blogger-image-753235036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikYkAFyV7FefW6xAeELUr33PP3db27lY5WfEzRyofxOb_7OIa459RWAVIjUAkDwGAFSa3uD14YZGSidIKIJ0ksOS2zJ_lhWm2SgoYhc_XslZigahgmXgUlt-1YUBkAG1zk4AG4t4yxqDw/s640/blogger-image-203165549.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikYkAFyV7FefW6xAeELUr33PP3db27lY5WfEzRyofxOb_7OIa459RWAVIjUAkDwGAFSa3uD14YZGSidIKIJ0ksOS2zJ_lhWm2SgoYhc_XslZigahgmXgUlt-1YUBkAG1zk4AG4t4yxqDw/s640/blogger-image-203165549.jpg"></a></div></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ9vCWEV-xmemTNGtU3NAX-cDz1w639vdlXNzqQaFG3lDoKIrN06gq8gILP5qkR_Icr-3XMfJPFkoLjHXYI7sFzCbDlfJ_HQJo4lERIV2q62Yz3RVXDsl_8228CxEfFDvQxsID_TkQsWM/s640/blogger-image-795212799.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ9vCWEV-xmemTNGtU3NAX-cDz1w639vdlXNzqQaFG3lDoKIrN06gq8gILP5qkR_Icr-3XMfJPFkoLjHXYI7sFzCbDlfJ_HQJo4lERIV2q62Yz3RVXDsl_8228CxEfFDvQxsID_TkQsWM/s640/blogger-image-795212799.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Alexandriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12758018328126779778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4558991333705990977.post-80985871510154693652014-08-06T06:09:00.001+01:002014-08-07T14:14:31.424+01:00Safely out of Wells-next-the-seaWe have safely left Wells and are now out at sea on a gloomy, rainy and very early morning. We were up at 3.30 this morning to leave tiny Wells harbour which is actually inland by a mile as the sand shifts continually. We took the last of the falling tide, and without our escort boat who led us in yesterday, and in the dark. Great teamwork in pitch black picking out the flashing buoys which make it sound a lot easier than it was! The depth sounder was going off as soon as we left our berth. so we have a sense <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">of accomplishment but are feeling a bit tired. We are enroute to Southwold ETA 1400, </span>having escaped at the only practicable time to make our destination. <div><br></div><div>Andrew is helming, sails about to go up, Woody is making porridge, and William is on lobster pot<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> duty. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Photo of lovely sunny Wells, taken yesterday as we came in, attached. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOCUnttHtxmhFWxFd5rNGYR_7nILsKxohpH1ERQ5z4lzAJo7iwkGJ9mFSI2ko4_R0CyfwxlHDQyRj1j82ibAxvS0MWc7AubDecwo0vr1KNhkIXQRy0yBAU6YzZ0B04j42sAZqbZ0KdAfg/s640/blogger-image-646819888.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOCUnttHtxmhFWxFd5rNGYR_7nILsKxohpH1ERQ5z4lzAJo7iwkGJ9mFSI2ko4_R0CyfwxlHDQyRj1j82ibAxvS0MWc7AubDecwo0vr1KNhkIXQRy0yBAU6YzZ0B04j42sAZqbZ0KdAfg/s640/blogger-image-646819888.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div>Alexandriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12758018328126779778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4558991333705990977.post-10310100211573664542014-08-06T00:18:00.001+01:002014-08-06T00:18:29.592+01:00Wells-next-the seaWe have arrived in Wells, Norfolk, and the county underlines how close we are to home in Suffolk.<div>The photo is of dawn at sea off Grimsby.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzTBUWgVl1BntxZhywZDSiFs_qK4U4exe0AfZ30oL3abNXzqElOdQYrIfmMplL9saqWuKV4Wo8ssw8f-0rsJ6Et5YWhpERu3CMLkpHHQ83tPwot0sFDsLgkUlNuM4Ig_mcNBjkBZWOWC0/s640/blogger-image-950600322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzTBUWgVl1BntxZhywZDSiFs_qK4U4exe0AfZ30oL3abNXzqElOdQYrIfmMplL9saqWuKV4Wo8ssw8f-0rsJ6Et5YWhpERu3CMLkpHHQ83tPwot0sFDsLgkUlNuM4Ig_mcNBjkBZWOWC0/s640/blogger-image-950600322.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>I forgot to record one final joke the Grimsby lock played on us in the early hours of this morning after the previous day's trials. There is no pontoon in the lock or place to attach the boat so long ropes are dropped down to secure the boat, a process which needs careful watching and sometimes use of engines to ensure the vessel is kept in the right place. As the lock empties, the ropes are let out as the boat is lowered down on the falling water. One of the ropes became entangled and Alexandria began to be hung by the rope from one of its cleats. This is either a very damaging experience or a very dangerous one if the rope breaks under 10 tonnes of pressure and then snaps back against the unfortunate crew member. Fortunately, Andrew was quick enough to realise what was happening and shout out, and I immediately cut the rope with the rescue knife, the first time it has ever been used. Phew! No injuries, no damage.</div><div><br></div><div>Our passage from Grimsby to Wells passed uneventfully, sailing the first part and motoring another as the wind died. We needed to get into Wells for 1600 latest or abort to Wisbech as the next safe harbour is a further 8 hours away. Although the wind subsequently returned and sailing was quite possible as we were running ahead of plan, sea sickness had struck so I decided to run for Wells with all possible haste, and we motor sailed at 9 knots into Wells reaching the cardinal marker early at 1300. Wells has a tiny and difficult channel which is accessible over a very shallow bar, and because of our size the harbourmaster despatched a launch to escort us in. In fact, he was not needed, but the courtesy was very much appreciated. The approach to Wells, whose harbour is a mile inland, is winding and its sandbanks change with successive storms. The channel takes you very close to the beach and people enjoying the sunshine, and it feels very odd indeed to be yards away from small children sitting in the sea!</div><div><br></div><div>We tied up on the brand new pontoons in what has now been created as an outer harbour and left for a good walk into Wells aboard the restaurant ship which is moored in the inner harbour. Late lunch, very slow, very pleasant. Then for me, back to Alexandria to register with Wells Harbour, pay their modest dues, and plan the next day.</div><div><br></div><div>Tomorrow, we are up at 0330 to leave at 0400 with the last part of the tide. I have just scoped out the channel on foot to confirm I understand its intricacies, as tomorrow we shall be on the last part of a falling tide and cannot make any errors or we shall be stuck until the afternoon. Everyone has their own job to identify the flashing buoys in the dark, confirm position and direction and affirm depth, so all should be well. Teamwork is really important in these situations, as our Wexford entry in Ireland illustrated.</div><div><br></div><div>We are off to Southwold where we have a berth, all being well <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">arriving </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">around 1400.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></span></div>Alexandriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12758018328126779778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4558991333705990977.post-4066281700485983092014-08-05T19:56:00.001+01:002014-08-05T19:56:34.871+01:00Scarborough to Grimsby. The trials of Grimsby Lock.<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Andrew and I set off yesterday from Scarborough, having suffered the first 'weather break' which caused me to stay one day longer in Scarborough than I had intended. However, as the strong wind died down it left a glorious morning and we slipped from Scarborough at 0800. There was a good, useful wind which allowed us to sail our first few hours towards Grimsby, which is a 65nm, 10 hour passage. The wind died around half way and we needed to motor, which we did on one engine benefitting from the tide. Often, a passage will take on its own emphasis with, say, there being more dolphins, or more seals, or birds. This passage, was marked by the number of wind farms and the associated infrastructure and shipping movements necessary for their construction. There were no animals apart from sea birds, but we were kept busy as small very fast wind cats would buzz around, closer than we have become used to and setting off our AIS proximity alarms. After the last five weeks of relative quiet during which we are very often the only yacht sailing all day or perhaps the second or third if it is busy, the East coast from Whitby and south wards was very full of shipping and we were kept active.</span><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Our motor sailing continued as the wind did not return to any great extent, and especially as there is a lock at Grimsby which we needed to pass through, in order to get to our berth at the very helpful Meridian Quay. An advance call to the lock keeper highlighted the possibility of arranging a non-routine, and therefore more convenient, lock in time so that we would not have to wait around for the scheduled ones, in return for a nominal £10. We were also advised that it can get busy with priority given to local or working boats, so we should get there before 1900.</div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">So, having flogged down the North sea to get there by 1830, we eventually arrived on time and announced ourselves. I was not happy to be told that there would be a queue of at least an hour as working boats had priority. However, the experience was far worse. There is just one lock which takes just one vessel at a time, and every time the queue diminished another vessel would announce itself so that we were bumped yet again to the back of the queue. There was no £10 special lock in, and indeed the delay of an hour and three quarters spent hanging around while the working boats went in and out, meant the whole experience was decidedly unsatisfactory. We were just one yacht, and after, say, an hour of waiting it would have been good to have been let in, or indeed courteous to have been allowed a space in the queue. Even</span> our hour and a three quarters delay was itself at risk of being extended indefinitely. I have no idea how the marina on the other side can possibly function. When we arrived in the lock, ropes were dropped down and eventually we passed through to our very shallow berth in the marina. Grimsby is the only port in the whole of the circumnavigation whose practices have been so obstructive, notwithstanding the considerable and genuine friendliness of the staff. </div><div><br></div><div>Andrew and I emerged from the lock, having wasted so much time but having spent it in gentle and pleasant conversation. Good company aids and assuages the trials of sailing and helps you celebrate the successes. There to meet us in the marina, whose staff had gone home, were Woody and William who had been patiently waiting. We were very pleased to see them, and as I had already effectively put the boat to bed while hanging around outside, we stepped from the boat towards a waiting taxi which whisked us off to a very good restaurant which Woody had organised, with the help of the Humber Cruising Association who had befriended him during their enforced delay.</div><div><br></div><div>Great meal, and it was very good to spend time with them both as we start our last leg of my circumnavigation and head for home.</div><div><br></div><div>Today, we continue our journey south to Wells-next-the-sea, a very pretty little<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> harbour which is quite difficult to enter, especially for our size and I think we might have a town berth arranged by the ever attentive harbourmaster. However, Wells has a very shallow entrance so we must be there by 1530. So, while eating our excellent dinner in the Othello restaurant (who stayed open for us) I spent a while on the 'phone to the lock master negotiating our exit the following morning. We needed to leave at 0630 in order to get to Wells on time, otherwise we would need to abort and run for Wisbech. A special lock out was agreed, for £10, the following morning....at 0430 a.m.! The shock of getting up at 0400 was dulled by the huge fun of asking William what time he wanted to get up. His answer was 1100, and his face was a picture! So, As I sit here blogging, Woody has sensibly gone back to bed and William is helming us across the very complicated Humber Approaches towards the Wash and the delights of Wells and Andrew is his technical advisor. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I am looking forward to my ice cream.</span></div><div><br></div><div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeEQScRotGAj41SP8PxDz3ikQ1P05io4I9WdVnbJgVDbs76Ukou4E-EYkzPWs8GMqahXf5_IetppnIcmRGlo7snVa4xeS2fx-qJgjekUgOTIut3BlDzJE1rzgT36x76ZmOGznVhq1EtaE/s640/blogger-image-1280028885.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeEQScRotGAj41SP8PxDz3ikQ1P05io4I9WdVnbJgVDbs76Ukou4E-EYkzPWs8GMqahXf5_IetppnIcmRGlo7snVa4xeS2fx-qJgjekUgOTIut3BlDzJE1rzgT36x76ZmOGznVhq1EtaE/s640/blogger-image-1280028885.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Alexandriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12758018328126779778noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4558991333705990977.post-89820028334056108142014-08-05T19:53:00.001+01:002014-08-05T19:53:57.933+01:00And now some messages for our friends abroad...WSH: INR 2.4. All well <div><br></div><div>Shotley: please could you have our berth cleared from 07aug14? Thanks M</div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Alexandriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12758018328126779778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4558991333705990977.post-69564798642748580312014-08-05T00:15:00.001+01:002014-08-05T19:57:31.127+01:00Thoughts from Matthew<p class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><font style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><font style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A friend who is a regular churchgoer and frequent sailor in <st1:place w:st="on">Hong Kong</st1:place> says that he feels closer to God on his boat than in church. Two wonder-filled days aboard Alexandria II sailing down the east coast of <st1:country-region w:st="on">Scotland</st1:country-region> and<st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Northumbria</st1:place></st1:country-region> and reminded me of what my friend means. For me, significant places and amazing creatures show the divine in all things.</font><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span><p class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">As a Cathedral spotter, it was good to see the three spires of St Mary's Cathedral amidst Edinburgh's dramatic skyline as we headed east in the Firth of Forth. St Mary’s was consecrated in 1879 and is <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Scotland</st1:place></st1:country-region>’s largest Cathedral - part of the Scottish Episcopal Church (like the Church of England, part of the Anglican Communion).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p><p class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Prominent in the Firth of Forth was an atmospheric looking abbey on an island. I've since learnt it is Inchcolm Abbey - founded in the reign of King Alexander I of <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Scotland</st1:place></st1:country-region>(1107–24), who was washed ashore there after a shipwreck in 1123, and took shelter in a hermit's hovel. A medieval inscription carved above the Abbey's entrance reads: Stet domus haec donec fluctus formica marinos ebibat, et totum testudo permabulet orbem 'May this house stand until an ant drains the flowing sea, and a tortoise walks around the whole world'. They prayed it would be there for a wee while!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p><p class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Any visit to <st1:place w:st="on">Lindisfarne</st1:place> is nourishing and refreshing, but to approach by sea with the effort involved and the steady pace (see Martin's blog entry for last Saturday) makes it a pilgrimage. The monks of old used coracles to travel the seas. The difference between those tubs and the sophistication and comfort of Alexandria II illustrates well how different the lives of those 7th century monks were to modern living. There are many legends associated with such a holy place. A favourite is how St Cuthbert, as part of his rigorous self discipline, waded one night into the icy cold sea and prayed there til daybreak. Returning to the beach, two sea otters came to warm and dry him.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p><p class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The North East has Celtic Christianity in its soul with its distinctive crosses, entwined patterns and references to the Trinity. Creation is at its heart too. My three nature highlights from my time aboard Alexandria II are jelly fish, seals and gannets. From large jelly fish with reddish brown centres to small ones with bright purple, these amazing creatures look like aliens from another world. More than 10 seals looked at us with heads bobbing out of the water as we left <st1:place w:st="on">Lindisfarne</st1:place>, supremely adapted to their marine environment which is so different to ours. (We learnt from our Dutch neighbours in Eyemouth that the Dutch for seal is <i>zeehond</i>, literally 'sea dog'.) We gazed at hundreds and hundreds of gannets diving into the sea, turning and plummeting down to fish, first in the Firth of Forth and then as we passed Bass Rock. Over and over again their rather ungainly body shape becoming a perfect dart when they folded their wings back and plunged.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p><p class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><font style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">48 hours aboard and so many highlights. A real treat for me to travel that way with my connections to <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Northumbria</st1:place></st1:country-region> through my father’s family. I am deeply grateful to Alexandria II and her generous and gracious skipper for these life-enhancing experiences. </font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLXy7kqGXEtO6-X1UNeioIadXldEgvAK5V2zby3A7e0-Zl0zzi2-p8PjZ22kOqUO3h1tTgQl7IbESkcIJnvj7150EUFWi3T4wkn3kkd5lTfvx04ZPyvs8fq1SojwT1Kc9QtT0dPMSFoo/s640/blogger-image--1168225010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLXy7kqGXEtO6-X1UNeioIadXldEgvAK5V2zby3A7e0-Zl0zzi2-p8PjZ22kOqUO3h1tTgQl7IbESkcIJnvj7150EUFWi3T4wkn3kkd5lTfvx04ZPyvs8fq1SojwT1Kc9QtT0dPMSFoo/s640/blogger-image--1168225010.jpg"></a></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><p class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiueVMLx6rC0ftOi9pEtHwKSyV10FboTJ1xtcgu_MHJt3YSNIoTlZiEuS9-d3kwDS6wjNs19B_5ykVr0cxB2l8PoeAmjABTWxCPGYXVlIwpy5A-2scCXjHas-a7Tqj0tpMymdaC9QuEoXk/s640/blogger-image--462467408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiueVMLx6rC0ftOi9pEtHwKSyV10FboTJ1xtcgu_MHJt3YSNIoTlZiEuS9-d3kwDS6wjNs19B_5ykVr0cxB2l8PoeAmjABTWxCPGYXVlIwpy5A-2scCXjHas-a7Tqj0tpMymdaC9QuEoXk/s640/blogger-image--462467408.jpg"></a></div><br><p></p></div><p></p></div>Alexandriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12758018328126779778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4558991333705990977.post-84782438957196626592014-08-04T06:11:00.001+01:002014-08-04T06:11:59.123+01:00A weather break in ScarbroughYesterday dawned really windy and got windier still, and our earlier decision to take the first weather related break in the circumnavigation looked a wise one.<div><br></div><div>We said good bye to Ian and Jonty who left for the station, and had two hours with Ray before he too left for the airport. We had noticed that the lower port spreader was slightly out of alignment, and after a call to Broadblue over the weekend, we had taken comfort from the fact that the rig is immensely strong, and that this was not an issue. Notwithstanding that, I wanted to inspect it so a trip up the mast was called for. So, with me in a bosun's chair wearing a baseball cap as head protection on such a windy day, Ray winched me up the mast. As expected, the rig will need attention at Shotley when we return, but was absolutely rock solid. I think it likely that we stressed it while sailing with such vigour earlier in the week, bit it does not constitute a safety issue.</div><div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvxoZYPc5ZBXr7nHWmmtav-8wJny39EfhW-WefExjwg0p7NEHmq5dD9Ke2aD3zHC0qaDBYvTYlubydypE6e2TQy0F2E1HxIwqAEQ5kfdgSPczGdRp6DqdOy84LJfokkJcm0ZXLrvnImVg/s640/blogger-image-696662748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvxoZYPc5ZBXr7nHWmmtav-8wJny39EfhW-WefExjwg0p7NEHmq5dD9Ke2aD3zHC0qaDBYvTYlubydypE6e2TQy0F2E1HxIwqAEQ5kfdgSPczGdRp6DqdOy84LJfokkJcm0ZXLrvnImVg/s640/blogger-image-696662748.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Having let me down again, Ray left in due course and I was left on my own to catch up with some much needed sleep and to do cleaning and get more provisions before Andrew arrived at 1830, the latter being great fun. We ventured up the hill to the old part of Scarborough and found a very good Italian restaurant. Scarborough seems a town of two halves, the promenade area being a place of colourful, assertive, vivacious and much decorated people while the area around the Grand hotel is by contrast much more staid. Either way, we enjoyed our evening together and I was thankful to catch Andrew on his visit from the Bahamas. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Today, the two of us intend to sail the 65nm to Grimsby, where will meet Woody and his grandson. This will be my last crew change, as this evening's additions will bring us to full complement and will take us back to Shotley, likely on 7th August, where our circumnavigation of Britain, including the Orkneys, will be completed. A revised passage plan suggests Grimsby, Wells next the sea, southwold if possible and Shotley as our next scheduled stops.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div>Alexandriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12758018328126779778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4558991333705990977.post-4789695528190486842014-08-04T05:38:00.001+01:002014-08-04T05:47:34.315+01:00Hartlepool to Scarborough. A good sail and a lumpy sea.We were challenged by a fresh wind which our forecast had suggested. More or less on the nose for much if the way. The original intention was to sail from Hartlepool to Scarborough, but the wind and sea state made such a passage unpalatable. As we were passing Whitby, we decided to stop off for lunch at Whitby hoping that the wind would move as planned while we were ashore. A case of any direction but the current one would be good!<div><br></div><div>So, I called Whitby on the radio while around 9 miles offshore to secure a berth for the short period we wanted, but they responded that my previous berth had already been given away, but that I could wait until 1300 for the bridge into the marina to swing. A moment's lateral thought suggested the following strategy. We were currently too early to arrive at Whitby, as if we arrived before the next bridge swing, we would get sucked into the marina at 1300 swing when in fact we had no berth. So, if we tacked toward Whitby and arrived after 1300 and before the next bridge lift at 1700, then we could sit on the waiting pontoon, having safely missed the 1300 bridge swing, and before the 1700 one. This was a strategy which seemed to work well so we secured to the harbour wall, while we went and found ourselves some fish and chips which tasted very good indeed,</div><div><br></div><div>We all liked Whitby which felt like a Georgian or Victorian town...and Ian treated us to the best ice cream around.</div><div><br></div><div>Having announced our intention to leave the waiting pontoon, we duly left at around 1650 and continued south towards Scarborough.</div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div>The town of Scarborough<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> has a fine harbour, promenade and a castle. A quick tour to find a decent meal underlined our impression that the town was a fine place to spend the night, once away from the amusement parks.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The forecast for the following day was grim, and predicted a a F5/6 strong wind on the nose which would whip up the sea into a moderate (up to 2.5m) sea state, over and through which we would have to uncomfortably motor for 10 hours, with much crashing and thrashing, without any respite or chance of refuge until we reached Grimsby, and I declared a weather break. This was, remarkably, our first day lost to bad weather in the entire circumnavigation so far, as a provision for which I had loaded a full 50% extra. Our excellent evening meal, away from the amusement parks on the front, was the last which Ian and Jonty would have with us, as they were leaving the following day. If I stayed an extra day in Scarborough, then Ray decided that he too should leave to return home leaving me to do boat jobs on my own and catch up with much needed sleep.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The photo below is Ian and Jonty both sitting on the dolphin seats, each harnessed on with a safety line in what was a pretty lumpy ride. Jonty, on the weather bow would occasionally get wet by the sea being splashed aside and thrown back onto him by the 25 knot wind. Ian too tea while up there, served to him through the shower room hatch! </span></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEginLOLx8a7ftzGd2LkmS7vOknmCXEiUBhJUjiocadPfoxQ8d06nrAaJCBDcjWUa6lUxJmXzL5-BHdZ2UXVRF2aF85f1sx0f7AdAI5m2ETmyL74Zx4pCaFFZqh8g_sNzAnIJhH8mMs52qc/s640/blogger-image-1901972637.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEginLOLx8a7ftzGd2LkmS7vOknmCXEiUBhJUjiocadPfoxQ8d06nrAaJCBDcjWUa6lUxJmXzL5-BHdZ2UXVRF2aF85f1sx0f7AdAI5m2ETmyL74Zx4pCaFFZqh8g_sNzAnIJhH8mMs52qc/s640/blogger-image-1901972637.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk15pc-i0GGNo47mdZDWxqtbG-lt6K7s5SpdojrPTZYxhFv_TPnlvbEn7YFnY7mcmG-z6l_uS5xx14dafzRqpIh17H1OOdhye_mLx784wpoudS7UT6T6HivIHXq5VpML8KIHws6lTvSgQ/s640/blogger-image-1002103942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk15pc-i0GGNo47mdZDWxqtbG-lt6K7s5SpdojrPTZYxhFv_TPnlvbEn7YFnY7mcmG-z6l_uS5xx14dafzRqpIh17H1OOdhye_mLx784wpoudS7UT6T6HivIHXq5VpML8KIHws6lTvSgQ/s640/blogger-image-1002103942.jpg"></a>Ian very much enjoyed sailing, as this photo shows.</div>Alexandriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12758018328126779778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4558991333705990977.post-27034174649900553142014-08-02T07:28:00.001+01:002014-08-02T07:55:52.931+01:00Eyemouth to Lindisfarne and on to Amble and Hartlepool<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXzwmMdlpJw_cU8Ga3GAL_c9UUfBEVglSbjmIR3si2oEpUnMlJsuvx4K1ItFVHtT56je8xEXBvlOmZ2BDzp8nevLiAl0025g_ekWw_zf_La3O1pApMAbeZbWrf75W9Dm9dk8g93KoULY8/s640/blogger-image-1331532353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXzwmMdlpJw_cU8Ga3GAL_c9UUfBEVglSbjmIR3si2oEpUnMlJsuvx4K1ItFVHtT56je8xEXBvlOmZ2BDzp8nevLiAl0025g_ekWw_zf_La3O1pApMAbeZbWrf75W9Dm9dk8g93KoULY8/s640/blogger-image-1331532353.jpg"></a></div>Apologies for the delay, several new crew changes, route changes, weather changes and the delights of doing laundry at 1am have meant the blog is a little behind my need for some sleep!<div><br></div><div>Eyemouth to Lindisfarne with Mark W and Matthew was a good sail, fresh useful winds whisking us down the coast past sundry castles but always with the brooding presence of Bamburgh castle in the back ground. The navigation into Lindisfarne is not especially difficult but we had arrived at low water and so our entry over rocky reefs in a slightly tortuous pattern was tricky. Depths at places were 1.6m under the keel, and we used excellent team work to enable this. We were the only yacht moving at that time. I was helming along a careful rhumb line which was pre loaded into the chart plotters, and as we nudged along at 2 knots over the rocks and sand, Mark W was using the sonar overlay on the iPad to give extra confirmation that I needed to turn to port or starboard, while Matthew was on the bows looking down at the approaching and receding rocks, always with a brief to abort immediately if necessary, and we had a constant understanding of where safe water might be, we also left our snail trail across the screen to retrace our steps, if necessary. Despite the intensity of our approach, it was very enjoyable and an example of how great teamwork where everyone knows exactly what they are doing and communicated well can achieve so much.</div><div><br></div><div>Ironically, our least depth of 0.6m under the keel was when we had got into the deeper part and were looking for the best anchorage, and that was an immediate STOP! We anchored safely, put out a lot of chain in the fresh wind and considered the unattractive proposition of leaving the security of the boat and getting into the tender. A cup of tea gave us reduced winds and new inspiration, and Matthew and I left for the slipway, on Holy island a short while away, while Mark W remained on board on anchor watch.</div><div><br></div><div>Lindisfarne is a very holy place where spirituality oozes out to meet and absorb you. Its importance in early Christianity is well known and as we landed in the tender, shoes and socks removed to get the tender up the mast few metres through the mud, I reflected that it was a good way to land. We ambled over to the village, had a well deserved and tasty sandwich and paid our respects at the church, inspecting the remarkable sculptures as we did so.</div><div><br></div><div>Then after two hours on Holy island, Mark W called us back to reality and we returned to Alexandria, now sitting prettily to her chain anchor which we were in due course able to lift without problem. We did not want to gave to leave ours behind on the bottom with all the others!</div><div><br></div><div>Another great sail took us down to amble where Jonty was waiting for us on our pontoon, which was really good to see. Then a meal at a restaurant followed, while waited for Ian joining us by car to arrive at 2300 so that Matthew and Mark W to could leave about midnight to drive back to Suffolk. Settling in our new crew Jonty and Ian was a pleasure, although doing my laundry at 1am and passage planning at 2am was not!</div><div><br></div><div>The following day, yesterday, we had an indifferent wind to take us from Amble to Whitby, and resigned ourselves to motor sailing for some if it. However, we actually got some great sailing out of a fresh wind which kept turning, which was very pleasing, and it was good to show Alexandria off to her new crew. However, we were concerned that the forecast was for strong NE winds and that we might get stuck in Whitby, pinned down by breaking surf at the entrance and unable to leave, so we diverted to Hartlepool where happliy Ray met us at the control tower and went for a much anticipated meal. Great evening, great friends. </div><div><br></div><div>Today, Ian Ray Jonty and I are off to Scarborough, where Jonty leaves this evening, we have enjoyed his enthusiasm and he enjoyed navigating us by radar to<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> safety </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">yesterday in thick fog and rain .</span></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG10szsYKUEWad8X7tgVC0tgkU5pTxwNIfOAxwuxR4-iMCvulxs7zQ_7cwOwj1VZnouaA7Al7tK-LUJ9jh4Qn_h0ieebF2AiBkbuoeZ9yGRDlsB0RFTLnZ6qe6kSJlKnAY2CN73PlkrMg/s640/blogger-image--1350631964.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG10szsYKUEWad8X7tgVC0tgkU5pTxwNIfOAxwuxR4-iMCvulxs7zQ_7cwOwj1VZnouaA7Al7tK-LUJ9jh4Qn_h0ieebF2AiBkbuoeZ9yGRDlsB0RFTLnZ6qe6kSJlKnAY2CN73PlkrMg/s640/blogger-image--1350631964.jpg"></a></div></div>Alexandriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12758018328126779778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4558991333705990977.post-41853530902337272712014-07-31T11:11:00.001+01:002014-07-31T11:11:08.037+01:00Video of sailing around Bass Rock yesterdayFlush with our triumph from yesterday's sailing from Port Edgar, Edinburgh to the picturesque harbour of Eyemouth, the crew of the good ship Alexandria thought the World needed to see proof of their exploits, so there is a link to a video I have just posted.<div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGFKx9bj0-s&sns=em</span></div><div><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">The conditions were reasonably challenging with a strong following sea which had a marked swell. The boat loves to surf, although this demands extra vigilance from the helmsman (Mark W who performed magnificently), especially when combined with strong winds which started at around 20 knots and at their peak exceeded 30 with one gust of 35 knots. Punchy stuff. We started under full gennaker, which is the very large sail, and reefed it at 27 knots apparent and then reefed the main sail at 29 knots. Both sails had been eased and centred respectively beforehand, so it was not as reckless as it might appear. Nonetheless, the boat was under a lot of load as were its crew, and both performed amazingly. We were certainly attentive to swell, wind, surfing and gusts, but it was great fun. We were the only boat out the whole day, often travelling at around 9 or 10 knots through the water, and for a brief period recorded 12 knots. For those of you who don't understand the speed, think of a fast car and add a zero to our speed, so the image of 100 or 120 mph on a roadof changing terrain should spring to mind. Even when we reefed both sails, we were still pushing along at nearly 8knots with no tide under us to speak of. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">The entrance into Eyemouth is quite challenging with a narrow set of leading daymarks which become clear at the last moment, and one has to sail down the line, missing a very close reef, and into a canyon created by the two vast harbour walls. We were, as we work the tides, at low water. Then, into the inner harbour after permission to enter. A very pretty harbour indeed.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I was struck as always with how friendly people were, even when firmly acquainting me with the unfairness of sundry Scottish military defeats. Clearly ahead of the referendum, their minds are filled with the inequities of the fourteenth century, rather than the future powers of Scotland. My thoughts were rather more prosaic and were connected with getting AC power to the boat! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">So, bass rock is (according to Wikipedia):</span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> "a steep-sided volcanic rock, 107 metres (351 ft) at its highest point, and is home to a large colony of <a href="file:///wiki/Gannet" title="Gannet" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-decoration: none;">gannets</a>. The rock is currently uninhabited, but historically has been settled by an early Christian hermit, and later was the site of an important castle, which was, after the <a href="file:///wiki/Commonwealth_of_England" title="Commonwealth of England" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-decoration: none;">Commonwealth</a>, used as a prison. The island was in the ownership of the Lauder family for almost six centuries, and now belongs to <a href="file:///wiki/Sir_Hew_Hamilton-Dalrymple,_10th_Baronet" title="Sir Hew Hamilton-Dalrymple, 10th Baronet" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-decoration: none;">Sir Hew Hamilton-Dalrymple</a>. The <a href="file:///wiki/Bass_Rock_Lighthouse" title="Bass Rock Lighthouse" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-decoration: none;">Bass Rock Lighthouse</a> was constructed on the rock in 1902, and the remains of a chapel are located there." </span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">It's also huge, dramatic and awe inspiring and there is a vast colony of gannets circling around and plunging and dive bombing the fish below. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">And so, Matthew, Mark W and I are off to have lunch at anchor in Lindisfarne this morning about four hours down the coast, then onto Amble where they leave and where Ian and Jonty are welcomed aboard.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">PS. We have just past Berwick and hence the administrative border and are now back in England. The photo shows Mark W pointing the way, and Matthew saluting as our Scottish saltire is taken down.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkvdpP_oAYb1MVb54MTCenx-KEFEqh9rJW96xRO5PKP7U1-YSEyYWuHPOsn78_kf0TYBEnNk-Sil1jN2xu4HY_V5Zx7t8dT_7jsaX6-hXyEWR3ny5i32nkXTEnJJ2iWYVoPDdZ4bg4IV0/s640/blogger-image--1813339615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkvdpP_oAYb1MVb54MTCenx-KEFEqh9rJW96xRO5PKP7U1-YSEyYWuHPOsn78_kf0TYBEnNk-Sil1jN2xu4HY_V5Zx7t8dT_7jsaX6-hXyEWR3ny5i32nkXTEnJJ2iWYVoPDdZ4bg4IV0/s640/blogger-image--1813339615.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div>Alexandriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12758018328126779778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4558991333705990977.post-29192187539958875472014-07-31T09:14:00.001+01:002014-07-31T09:14:48.362+01:00More photos. Edinburgh to Eyemouth, Scotland<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Bass Rock with its vast population of sea birds</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRH7gLOG13y2_Jm6uCa9fNRtnANLQMHeQqVxvX1QZdEKmI4wl9-0v1GI3OuBKHYB_eAGrPV0bncmujgwKNagd6Y_DyfKM5tTlSE8N73L8ZQQyfXuZ2aJruV0vKwdva5SvBabQY9_XtVNU/s640/blogger-image-807232401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRH7gLOG13y2_Jm6uCa9fNRtnANLQMHeQqVxvX1QZdEKmI4wl9-0v1GI3OuBKHYB_eAGrPV0bncmujgwKNagd6Y_DyfKM5tTlSE8N73L8ZQQyfXuZ2aJruV0vKwdva5SvBabQY9_XtVNU/s640/blogger-image-807232401.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">St Abbs head where, counterintuitively, if one passes close inshore, one is spared the tidal maelstrom</div></div></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx0nYf4AxeszIvZkGQWnNGRa1EQhJtYAHwefwZ3N6ajI0-hpdxsXgjRdIrq9e7H2LCD20hyxtXshKMlV7t2_Vn9NRv6PDcAf0WjhrHNSEqOIpTM1wRKRlH_xT4pRFX_h64nciTE1ujqsk/s640/blogger-image-1260210338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx0nYf4AxeszIvZkGQWnNGRa1EQhJtYAHwefwZ3N6ajI0-hpdxsXgjRdIrq9e7H2LCD20hyxtXshKMlV7t2_Vn9NRv6PDcAf0WjhrHNSEqOIpTM1wRKRlH_xT4pRFX_h64nciTE1ujqsk/s640/blogger-image-1260210338.jpg"></a></div><br><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></div>Alexandriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12758018328126779778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4558991333705990977.post-71704235979184498872014-07-30T22:26:00.001+01:002014-07-30T22:26:36.281+01:00Edinburgh to Eyemouth, Scotland<span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">This blog entry is composed from the beautiful harbour of Eyemouth which has everything one could possibly want. Quaint shops, photogenic harbour, working fishing boats that don't spill diesel all over you, mains electricity, and a performing seal in the harbour that begs for fish. Very cool, except for no phone signal at all and no wifi. In writing this blog I feel a little like an Arctic explorer who writes his message but does not know if it will get through.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">So, here goes. </span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Today was a fantastic day. We left Port Edgar near Edinburgh after a very swelly night where I was concerned that we might sustain pontoon damage, but in the event no damage was sustained following the deployment if a few inelegant but effective warps. We departed at 0800, passing under the Forth bridge with its 5 million rivets holding it together, (photo of Matthew and Mark attached) as planned and immediately took advantage of the tide with us and the fresh WSW wind behind us. We sailed the entire day, a short one at 52nm, and passed out of the Forth earlier than expected as our speed increased, as did the wind. By the time we were out of the Forth, we had a sustained 27 knot wind and reefed the full gennaker, then reefed the main sail. Alexandria loves to surf and by the time we reached Bass rock with its huge population of sea birds, we were surfing at around 12 knots, before a rather swelly wave pattern. Wind gusts if up to 34 knots made for a focused sail!</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">We reached Eyemouth at 1500, which was very good going indeed, and were directed to moor against an old and beautiful Dutch yacht called 'Swaen' Nice people on board who did not seem overly concerned with us rafting up against them for the night. A short period of congratulation on our passage and a glass of something chilled, and we then ate in a super restaurant in Eyemouth.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Tomorrow we intend to travel southward to Lindisfarne, which is just over the border in England, then anchor, and afterwards continue onto Amble where Ian and Jonty arrive to meet us, and sadly Matthew and Mark W depart early the next morning. </span><div><br></div><div>We are all rather tired as the day has been very full on, though very enjoyable.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdPxRzfLyu9RcfrhcAuTZubXZ_pFK7yAamo4vHql8diU0aEsQD0qlu7mFO3KLcql_HasuHrwaUzaZdEuDPj-ksmh_PzzM_G_bjmCax5lxeu-OyeUIuYZpeJ_Z2ITIyonSuZ4h5oA2GTQs/s640/blogger-image--856206391.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdPxRzfLyu9RcfrhcAuTZubXZ_pFK7yAamo4vHql8diU0aEsQD0qlu7mFO3KLcql_HasuHrwaUzaZdEuDPj-ksmh_PzzM_G_bjmCax5lxeu-OyeUIuYZpeJ_Z2ITIyonSuZ4h5oA2GTQs/s640/blogger-image--856206391.jpg"></a></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I hope the blog gets through.</span></div>Alexandriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12758018328126779778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4558991333705990977.post-5007402540915421262014-07-30T22:11:00.001+01:002014-07-30T22:11:53.893+01:00Edinburgh, Forth bridgeIf you recall, we had wanted to spend an extra day diverting to the Forth bridge, Edinburgh. We left at 060o after the Arbroath Marina staff had opened the lock gates specially for us rather than delaying us until their scheduled 1400 lock out. Mark W and I dutifully slipped at 0700, dodged the creel pots scattered across the entrance, then we had a delicious sail with the the genoa reefed in a 25 knot wind. We sped along and forgot the windless motoring done so recently. We averaged 7 knots SOG for around three hours while the wind rose and blew about 40 degrees off the nose.<div><br></div><div>But then, as we rounded Fife ness to enter the Forth we were forced to motor into the light headwind. However, what we did not know at that time was the amount of time spent motoring in a benign sea, about half an hour, compared with the horrible remainder of today's passage. We eventually spent about five hours motoring up the Forth to go under the famous Forth bridge. It is absolutely vast. Photo attached. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCxMQi1-kzKQbGCEqRfDTplxvidWj4Byc7Aoa3nmQmy5XSr0i9Am49qU7Enw5dV15TCgVhDsBFKr3cU_hpnhqBw-O81bbrdbfYsFuAPGcj2AxVq8XuT8OysesdnmmP-AW3wB1_85Np990/s640/blogger-image--279609295.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCxMQi1-kzKQbGCEqRfDTplxvidWj4Byc7Aoa3nmQmy5XSr0i9Am49qU7Enw5dV15TCgVhDsBFKr3cU_hpnhqBw-O81bbrdbfYsFuAPGcj2AxVq8XuT8OysesdnmmP-AW3wB1_85Np990/s640/blogger-image--279609295.jpg"></a></span><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both;">The bridge was exceptional, and worth the time and considerable discomfort. </div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both;">Matthew has joined us which makes me very happy. Having arrived at Port Edgar after a five hour thrashing, we were shaken not stirred, and Matthew arrived a short while later. We ate locally at a small bistro in the very pretty town which had an amazing view of the bridge, then returned to the boat.</div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both;">Tomorrow, we intend to leave from Port Edgar to Eyemouth, only about 60 nm., and hope that the wind behind us and abeam of us will be as kind to us, as the cold 30 knots headwind was challenging today. </div></div></div>Alexandriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12758018328126779778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4558991333705990977.post-62747941162861751872014-07-30T06:21:00.004+01:002014-07-30T06:26:04.737+01:00Arbroath to Port Edgar edinburghTwo witty and erudite informative posts, crafted in the small hours are missing. Vaporised into the ether. Has anyone got them?<br />
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We are at the Forth bridge . One photo attached. Deeply unpleasant passage here, 25 knots, on the nose, large waves down the whole of the Forth into Edinburgh, so five hours of crashing and thrashing around.<br />
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Today, we are off to Eyemouth and have been joined by Matthew who arrived fresh as a daisy yesterday evening while Mark W and I looked no doubt past our sell by date! I am hopeful that with wind and tide behind us, we should have the opposite of yesterday's horrible slog, although we did have three hours of quite fast sailing close on the fresh wind as we came round the coast from Arbroath where we had stayed to Fifeness lighthouse.<br />
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So, let's try this blog entry. Is there anybody out there...?Alexandriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12758018328126779778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4558991333705990977.post-74846387902287071472014-07-28T23:24:00.001+01:002014-07-28T23:24:18.380+01:00And now some messages for our friends abroad...WSH INR 2.1. All well. Thank you.<div><br></div><div>Ian, please see my text re AMBLE.</div><div><br></div><div>Jonty, please see my text re joining. </div>Alexandriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12758018328126779778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4558991333705990977.post-90861540878549220662014-07-28T23:21:00.001+01:002014-07-28T23:21:16.601+01:00Arbroath, and some new changes to the schedule, to Edinburgh.Mark W and I slipped at 0700 this morning from Peterhead, and went out to sea. Not a breath of wind. The sails were all rigged, nothing, we changed course when it made a tremulous appearance (bang on the nose, of course) but it went away again. Nothing. We fiddled, exhorted, indulged, aspired and perspired, but no, the wind did not want to come out to play. So, as we had a defined schedule to make the Arbroath locking in time at HW plus or minus 3 hours, we motored, and enjoyed the strong springs (today) current which took us towards Arbroath. Fun, but not sailing. Even if we did have our sail up trying to convince others that we were in fact doing so! But there was no one else, as they were not sailing either. In fact, one of the notable observations of sailing beyond the South coast, is that there are so few yachts around. I understand that a circumnavigation will take you into some of the more worrisome places which will deter the majority, but I am <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">still s</span>urprised how almost every day the number of yachts we see add up to a very few indeed. <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Mark W saw his first pair of dolphins...indeed they might have been a pair of small whales given their size. </span><div><br></div><div>So, we arrived at Arbroath which has a very unfriendly approach, quite in contrast to its friendly staff. Firstly, the entrance is difficult to see from afar, secondly, it is protected by around fifty (yes, 50), creel pots strewn across the approaches to the harbour so that getting through them is a major accomplishment in itself requiring binoculars, many dodges, major concentration and multiple cups of tea. Thirdly, when one gains permission to enter the harbour approach, it is a narrow one where predatory rocks and reefs are waiting to snare those whom the creel pots have not yet got. Then comes the tight 90 degree turn around a blind corner, and then just for good measure another. Then, just when you think it must be over, a third one, this time sufficiently visible that the temptation is to cut the corner...right over the reef which guards the entrance to the inner harbour. When, we were in, I was aware that what felt like the entire town had assembled to see us come in. There were people in deck chairs, people sitting on the harbour walls, people stopping their cars to look. Not I suspect with any thought of relief that a stranger's boat had safely triumphed over the obstacles, but it crossed my mind that it was with a ghoulish sense of excitement, waiting for the next catastrophe! Anyway, more friendly people, more enthusiastic admirers for the boat which excites attention and compliments wherever we go, and another friendly harbourmaster ready to take our lines, if needed.</div><div><br></div><div>As soon as we arrived, a very efficient exchange of information occurred relating to keys, laundry, places to eat etc., and the time of the next lock out TOMORROW AFTERNOON!!! No, I said with stubborn logic, we needed to lock out tomorrow morning at high water plus three hours ie 0800 as indicated, as we had places to go, people to see. If we would not be able to leave in the morning, we needed to exit the harbour immediately and keep sailing. Through the night to our certain doom. Probably stuck on a lobster pot. A moment of quiet reflection occurred concluding with the harbourmaster agreeing to open the gates specially for us at 0700 so we could continue our progress. Thank you, so much.</div><div><br></div><div>So, what is the big excitement? Well, I thought today that we needed to spend another of the days I had banked as a provision for bad weather. So the revised schedule, is that we will leave Arbroath tomorrow (at 0700, thank you again) and sail down to Edinburgh so that we can pass under the Forth bridge. Alexandria raised Tower Bridge in London last year, to celebrate her first birthday, so I thought it would be fun to do so while in Scottish waters. Although without the traffic chaos and congestion that opening<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Tower bridge causes.</span></div><div><br></div><div>We have a berth tomorrow night at Port Edgar where we will be joined by Matthew, to which I am looking forward, then the three of us will move onto to Eyemouth, where we have a berth in another difficult harbour. Then on to Lindisfarne and Holy island, just to please Matthew, and on to Amble assuming they can fit us in.</div><div><br></div><div>Lots of exciting places <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> to stimulate us over the next few days. </span></div><div><br></div><div>In the meantime, here is Mark, elegantly clad in this season's latest offering, but without his usual stylish Panama hat.</div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2DJ3B5iBSij8kNWV6LptjdaZZPTOMLSqOPijisByfLZ0H6yPELnaYCmv5su9mf3_rMMsBBMbO4TcePQSH9dHwTz9gZqsrxMOyZmp2DUqgKApDzJl5O36idcm4Bq146Mtv8hUc0HgopR4/s640/blogger-image-274620881.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2DJ3B5iBSij8kNWV6LptjdaZZPTOMLSqOPijisByfLZ0H6yPELnaYCmv5su9mf3_rMMsBBMbO4TcePQSH9dHwTz9gZqsrxMOyZmp2DUqgKApDzJl5O36idcm4Bq146Mtv8hUc0HgopR4/s640/blogger-image-274620881.jpg"></a></div></span></div>Alexandriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12758018328126779778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4558991333705990977.post-46807294598167191662014-07-28T06:20:00.001+01:002014-07-28T06:20:16.430+01:00Fraserburgh to PeterheadThis post replaces one lost last night when I fell asleep over it, so must have deleted it!<br />
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In brief, Vincent and Leslie, who had been a long time on the boat left by taxi for Aberdeen airport at 0800 and their luggage was hauled out the side of Fraserburgh's very dirty quayside where we had spent the night in a 'hanging' mooring against the wall. I shall miss their company, friendship, expertise and humour. <br />
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I was then on my own, so did a variety of jobs, and went to see the very friendly Fraserburgh harbourmaster to pay my £10. Fraserburgh is a working fishing port, so inevitably is less well scrubbed than say Lymington, but it was a safe refuge for which we were very thankful.<br />
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I then slipped, with great care as I was solo, from my mooring and headed out to see at 1200, caught the strong tide past Rattray head lighthouse and thence to Peterhead, doing around 8knots. There were a lot of shipping movements at Peterhead, and I had to wait for permission to enter and then arrive at the marina, where I was met by the harbourmaster, again very friendly, who took my lines. Alexandria is a large boat to handle on my own, so I was thankful. Then, having learned that there would be no fuel tomorrow, I slipped again and manoeuvred over to the fuel pontoon and back to my berth again, all solo and this time without any help with lines. Preparation is the real key to solo docking large boats in tight marinas, and it was quite rewarding to do it without crushing anyone else!<br />
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I was very happy to meet Mark W who arrived at 1900 and who will be with me for the next few days, and we sought out somewhere to eat in Peterhead, and ended up at Wetherspoons. The meal filled a gap, but we had a very enjoyable evening.<br />
Today, refuelled, re watered, re crewed and re energised, we are off to Arbroath which us 65 nm down the coast in our new direction...South. ETA 1900, before access is prevented HW+\- 3 hours.<br />
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<br />Alexandriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12758018328126779778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4558991333705990977.post-14864892006624823972014-07-26T23:35:00.001+01:002014-07-27T23:37:15.983+01:00Orkney to Fraserburgh via the Pentland Firth in thick fogWhat a day! Today was always going to be a long one, but it has been especially tiring even so. We left Stromness marina this morning at 0600, as planned , but in thick fog, as feared. We navigated on radar and fog watch. While the automatic fog horn was blasting out its warning, which was cold, tiring and intense. I had hoped we would escape the fog when we entered the Pentland Firth tidal race, but expected we would not. We did not, and we were duly enveloped by the amazing tides at exactly the right time as planned. However, I took the island route which required tighter navigation but meant we were in less danger of being mown down by a big ship if I had elected to go through Scapa a Flow. There is much less tidal data around for this route and I was surprised just how powerful the race was. We were mostly travelling at around 10 knots SOG, and at one point I recorded 12.4 knots, ie 6 knots of tide! Photo attached. <div><br></div><div>Travelling in fog is always tense, notwithstanding good chart plotters, radar and AIS. However, going through one of the most famous tidal races in the world, in fog and at 12 knots is a unique experience. We were duly disgorged, still in fog, and we rounded the Scottich mainland coast and headed South for the first time in the circumnavigation. We had intended to sail all the way across the Moray Firth which is a 60 mile passage of open sea, and call in at Peterhead late this evening. However, the wind from the South was strong at around 20 to 28 knots and was whipping up the South going tide into large waves. Although the fog had gone, the effect of strong winds on the nose, completely open sea, and wind over tide large waves, all meant that it was a very tiring day. The boat was fine, our nerves were not! </div><div><br></div><div>Although I had intended to go to Peterhead, I was very concerned that the strong wind would whip up the dangerous over falls off Ratray Head through which we needed to pass. In addition, because we had sped through the Pentland a Firth faster than expected and we were no longer stopping at Wick, we would be arriving too early, just in time to be fed into the overfills, which was not an attractive proposition.</div><div><br></div><div>Accordingly, I called Fraserburgh on the VHF and asked to come in for the night into their harbour. The fishing port is a working port and so inevitably not as well scrubbed as a marina might be, but the people are very friendly and helpful...and we took advantage of a stop three to five hours earlier than had we continued to Peterhead. We are on a 'hanging mooring' attached to the quayside, among the trawlers and spilt disel fuel in the water. But we are thankful to the port for the refuge they gave us and one other, and for the night's sleep it allows.</div><div><br></div><div>Tomorrow, both Vincent and Leslie will leave me and I shall be alone until Mark W arrives around 1800. Having said goodbye to Vincent and Mark W, I intend to take some much needed sleep tomorrow, get provisions and refuel, then work out if I can safely move the boat on my own to Peterhead and meet Mark W there.</div><div><br></div><div>Watch this space...</div>Alexandriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12758018328126779778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4558991333705990977.post-80991282866320730182014-07-25T23:09:00.001+01:002014-07-25T23:09:13.925+01:00Tomorrow. Orkney to Peterhead.A quick update for tomorrow, 26th July. <div><br></div><div>A change in crew capacity necessitates some changes. Vincent, Leslie and I will depart the Orkneys tomorrow 0600, subject to fog, and pass through the Pentland Firth tidal race at an optimal time, then pass Wick where we were intending to stay. However, we shall push on into the night to Peterhead, arriving at Peterhead Marina all being well at around 2300 26jul14, a 17 hour crossing of the Moray Firth. This will allow Leslie to leave from Peterhead on schedule and Vincent to leave a day early, both leaving the boat at 0800 Sunday, 27jul14. I will not continue alone, rather, I shall rest and await the arrival of Mark W who will join me at Peterhead marina on Sunday afternoon.</div><div><div><br></div><div>The big risk tomorrow will be fog patches, turning into fog banks. Although we have radar, AIS etc, we may need to delay our departure from the Orkneys by up to three hours, beyond which our tidal gate on the Pentalnd Furth will have closed and we will divert to Wick. Peterhead are expecting us up to 0300 a.m. Sunday. Wick are a default and are expecting us up to 1800 tomorrow. Let's hope for fog patches rather than fog banks.</div><div><br></div><div>Today we had a day of R&R, and travelled to see Scara Brae the remains of a 4500 year old Neolithic village, older than the pyramids of Giza, and the nearby manor house, both of which were fascinating. Highly recommended. Then back to the boat to do passage planning, admin etc., and a very good meal at the Stromness hotel. It is Stromness week where the locals let there hair down and have fun. Our taxi driver was very enthusiastic at the prospects of three legged racing men bedecked in orange and pink ballerina outfits. We declined to create more excitement by entering the event, representing England.</div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I am hugely grateful to both Vincent and Leslie for the massive investment they have made in this circumnavigation, as both of them will have been on board for over 10 days, a massive and generous commitment of expertise and friendship, especially given their extensive workloads and commitments. Thank you. </span></div></div>Alexandriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12758018328126779778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4558991333705990977.post-73714842791082392572014-07-25T09:03:00.000+01:002014-07-25T09:03:40.261+01:00Scrabster to Stromness, Orkney Islands, northernmost part of ourcircumnavigationWell, we made it!<br />
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Yesterday we arrived in the Orkney Islands after an exceptional day's sailing. The Orkneys are the northernmost part of our circumnavigation of Britain and retain their own distinct character. Courtesy and charm being two of them. Yesterday, we had warm weather and were sailing in shorts for part of the day which we have not been able to do very often. We had 20 to 25 knots of wind sometimes close hauled at around 35 to 40 degrees off the bow, and sailed fast, often around 7 knots through the water, notwithstanding that the sea state was slight to moderate at times. We were extremely careful to get out tidal planning right and cross check it repeatedly as we crossed the Pentland Firth, and it went pretty much to plan. The tide was with us yesterday leaving Scrabster at 1400 and took us West then deposited us at the mouth of the Hoy Sound on schedule at 1745, and we mostly covered the last part at around 8 knots SOG. Then into the Race and we were sucked in with water speed at around 7 knots, plus 4 knots (neaps plus 3 days) of tide. SOG was 11.2 knots, and we were careful to keep our speed down as much as possible given the tricky navigation. Then, a quick handbrake turn into the marina and we popped out from the Race and decelerated from 11 to 7 knots in about 30 seconds! Great fun!<br />
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You can watch a short video of sailing in the spectacular Orkneys by clicking here<br />
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Stromness lies in a lower lying part of one of the 74 mostly small Orkney Islands and seems only visited by the more adventurous, which is a pity. Fantastic high red stained cliffs, deep blue seas, birds, seals, ferries and trawlers all make an interesting and exciting approach...and that's without the added excitement of the Pentland Firth.<br />
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We are safely berthed in Stromness marina and had a very good meal yesterday in a completely full French restaurant where Vincent blagged his, then our, way in. Good man!<br />
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We are ahead of schedule, and have decided today to spend a day extra here in Orkney. Scapa Flow and a Neolithic village being an obvious draw.<br />
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We are seriously North at very nearly 59 degrees latitude, and on much the same latitude as Helsinki and Stockholm, and a world away from London. I am slightly shocked at how far we have come and realise that our passages from tomorrow onwards will all be South, but we still have a long way to go.<br />
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We have travelled 1355 miles and the chart below shows where we have so far been, with the red triangle at the top proving that we are actually here in the Orkneys, not in a pub somewhere in Salcombe. We have around 600 miles to go before our adventure ends.<br />
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Vincent, eating his ration of fruit to prevent scurvy. More grand scenery in the background.</div>
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The Old Man of Hoy is one of the tallest rock stacks in the world at 450 feet high <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">and was climbed about 40 years ago, live on BBC TV.</span></div>
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The striking scenery of the Orkney Approaches with the Old Man of Hoy and the ferry quite close as we sail by.</div>
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Alexandriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12758018328126779778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4558991333705990977.post-60714952505517750322014-07-25T06:10:00.001+01:002014-07-25T06:33:43.262+01:00Life on board - from David <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I was going from Mediterranean sailing to join up with Martin in Ireland. In the bag went oilskins, boots, gloves and warm socks. Vincent was already waiting on board and had stocked up. I was delighted to see that we were in no danger of running out of important supplies such as cakes, biscuits and chocolate. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Alexandria is sister ship to my own catamaran so I had enormous confidence in her abilities and was looking forward to returning to the Western Isles. Each of us had our own cabin and there was plenty of storage space and room to stretch out. The forecast was good and on the first day we set out to make the crossing from Ireland to Scotland. We were fortunate with the weather. If I was really picky a bit more wind from the right direction might have been good. However motoring in calm seas and fine weather is nothing to complain about. Martin drove us and the boat on with little rest but we made fantastic progress in the 5 days I was on board. The Scottish Islands are stunning and in good weather must easily be among the best sailing areas in the world. Not only is the scenery fantastic but there are plenty of anchorages and harbours and very few other boats. There are wonderful walks once on shore and every stop had somewhere where we could get a good meal. The only disappointment was the white bread and grated cheese for lunch on Canna, complimented by my first, and probably last, can of Irn Bru. We did meet the local rabbit catcher although he came from Hampshire, and we learned little about the 18 residents of the island as the man running the cafe said he didn’t get involved. It must be a lonely life. Elsewhere the food was substantial with little choice for anyone following a calorie controlled diet. When I did order a salad it came loaded with salad dressing and the waitress seemed surprised that I didn’t want a side order of chips. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It was a pleasure being on the boat with Martin and Vincent. We certainly covered a wide range of topics in our conversations. And many thanks to Martin for doing all the hard work with navigating and planning. I will keep following the blog and Martin and all the crew a safe and satisfying journey. Good luck and best wishes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Alexandriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12758018328126779778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4558991333705990977.post-22203618000884118312014-07-25T00:00:00.001+01:002014-07-25T08:21:39.456+01:00The truth about life as Scurvy CrewThis is Vincent. <div><br></div><div>We woke this morning in the small harbour of Scrabster. Little did I know then of the daunting task ahead. I joined Martin on board exactly eight days ago. We have faced torrential drizzle, storm force sunshine, killer dolphin pods and squadrons of murderous puffins yet nothing had prepared me for being asked to write a guest blog.<div><br></div><div>Where to start? Do I tell you the truth about life as scurvy crew under Captain Soons? Do you want to know about the bonds of friendship forged with others Shanghai'd somewhere along the Scottish coast? Or do you want to hear recommendations as to the places, too numerous to tell, where we have received such warm welcome and hospitality along the way?</div><div><br></div><div>The highlight of today must be that for the vast majority of the journey we were under sail. The excitement could be tasted. There is a totally different feeling when the engines go off and you stay at 6 or 7 knots just because the wind is in the sails. You don't bounce around less but the bounce seems somehow to reflect nature rather than to be in competition with it. It is not quiet but it is quieter and the noise is a whoosh of water more than a whir of motor. Within fifteen minutes of pulling out of Scrabster we were under full sail. They only came down when we were head to wind through the Straits of Hoy into Stromness at six o'clock this evening.</div><div><br></div><div>Of course the great thing about being under sail is that in theory those under power cede you right of way. Martin did have to call this chap up to ask him if his intentions were honourable and fortunately they were as he was about ten times our size.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDZMmxB2lJVguVlUiCs2lzNcLSCvsAgUNf7LXCeAlo0aWmHn8Y2vz1BSdTMQTc7EMMupHtZm5XuG0HfAu601k_9ogdWAJqGeKn0Ru-2nk-TFgGfWSySPCO6B6TeqLPqLzM0WOGoABRBew/s640/blogger-image-1045081712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDZMmxB2lJVguVlUiCs2lzNcLSCvsAgUNf7LXCeAlo0aWmHn8Y2vz1BSdTMQTc7EMMupHtZm5XuG0HfAu601k_9ogdWAJqGeKn0Ru-2nk-TFgGfWSySPCO6B6TeqLPqLzM0WOGoABRBew/s640/blogger-image-1045081712.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>No such niceties were necessary when later the Scrabster to Stromness ferry passed us next to the Old Man of Hoy - which somehow started off Martin and Les singing the theme tune of Z-Cars. I haven't yet dared seek explanation.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIh4VWwPxSheUc_8o2-ikTDXawMTmt5LpERZ8eWTla1magFNWMhwVZTrSUyRJwclCKXoG0EstPvVv3bGkqYZ4-gb3MXBfowTnQS0tuvbTJXEOJpHEN3cJaWwwJ5Bc_jt9xWdz2sOP9Mt8/s640/blogger-image-1970163032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIh4VWwPxSheUc_8o2-ikTDXawMTmt5LpERZ8eWTla1magFNWMhwVZTrSUyRJwclCKXoG0EstPvVv3bGkqYZ4-gb3MXBfowTnQS0tuvbTJXEOJpHEN3cJaWwwJ5Bc_jt9xWdz2sOP9Mt8/s640/blogger-image-1970163032.jpg"></a></div><br><div><br></div><div>Having yesterday undertaken a long stretch from Kinlochbervie to Scrabster with a pause in the very beautiful Loch Eriboll we had a slow start today. Not leaving until 2pm gave us the chance to replenish gas and stores and see something of Thurso. We all agreed it is the Northernmost town on mainland Britain. As I check this on the map I am reminded of another observation we have shared - that wherever you go across the country the place names have new and interesting connotations. Within spitting distance of Thurso I have just spotted Brora! I like the clothes, I never realised it was a place. </div></div><div><br></div><div>And so another day draws to a close. As usual it is late at night. The skipper is double and treble checking his plans. We tease him for his thoroughness but we are all very glad of it. A sumptuous meal has been eaten and a big thank you must got to Maggie, Neil and Sarah at the Hamnavoe Restaurant, who were full but found room to squeeze the three of us in and then gave us what may well have been the best supper of the trip so far. </div><div><br></div><div>Tomorrow is, as they say, another day. We will no doubt have to fight off the killer whales and pirates once again but at least your blog will return to its usual erudition. Anything else I can do before I turn in Skip?</div></div>Alexandriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12758018328126779778noreply@blogger.com0