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The story so far....
28 Sep. 2002
10 Sep. 2002
28 Aug. 2002
07 Aug. 2002
26 July 2002
08 July 2002
25 June 2002
19 June 2002
15 June 2002
I left Poole with a nice strong Westerly - little did I no this would be my last favourable wind! I was blown through the Needles in no time and after a visit to Yarmouth (just because I like Yarmouth) I made my way to Cowes Yacht Haven. My stay in Cowes was pretty surreal, I started by meeting Doug from The Alamo and in no time was heading out in a rib to the drying Brambles to watch a cricket game. Well not quite a cricket game, its a sort of blend of games including rugby and mature men's mud wrestling.
After being whisked back at 35 knots I made a bee line for Murrays where a fantastic three course five star complimentary meal was waiting for me. It was delicious, I ate all the types of fish I had sailed over!. From Murrays I wandered back to my boat, with a very full belly, to plan my departure the next day .
The next day the weather was all over the shop with gusting winds and torrential rain. I decided to stay and had another interesting day. I visited the Offshore Challenges office and got to sit on Kingfisher, however I wasn't allowed to touch anything or to go into the cabin!! I then had a snoop round OC1 and met Nick Maloney, very cool - I just know he's going to kick arse in the Route de Rhum! Before leaving I was given some merchandise so that I had something clean to wear for my arrival home.
From my high in Cowes, I soon came down to earth as a light head wind slowed progress considerably. From here the wind set NE and only varied in strength. Anything F5 or above and I had to stay put, hence it took three frustrating and tiring weeks to get to Ramsgate.
( Thankyou ; Yarmouth, Cowes Yacht Haven, Newhaven, Eastbourne, Dover, and Ramsgate, for the free stays)
From Ramsgate I was going to make the jump to home, I just needed a window in the wind to at least let me out. For four days it blew NE 5-6-7 , then it went down to a 3-4 but from the NNW, not too helpful, but I got out there anyway. My last leg was horrendous, a choppy sea, head wind, and after two hours no electric's. I got into Harwich at 1:30 am with no Radar reflector or lights! I stuck tight to the recommended yacht track. DONE IT!! 2040 miles hand steered around Britain, so much for auto pilots.
The big day was Saturday 28th, It was without a doubt the best day of my life. I was escorted up the river Orwell to the Royal Harwich Yacht club by seven beautifully dressed club boats. fog horns were sounded and as I approached the pontoon a canon was set off (but they missed!) It was just amazing, the best feeling in the world.
I am now, thanks to this trip, one of the very fortunate people who know exactly what they want to do. The Mini Transat. If you're interested to see how I make it, please keep in contact via www.zoneseekers.com/karen
Thankyou everyone who has e-mailed me. I'm sorry that I wasn't able to reply to all but time and facilities were limited.
Phase one complete!
Sailor Hodges.
Penzance to Poole
The journey from Penzance to Poole has had a bit of every kind of sailing
condition and some of the widest variety of rides I have encountered yet.
My first obstacle was Lizard Point, after my effort around Lands End I
just checked the tidal atlas and at first light left Penzance. I got down
there but once 3 miles south to clear the races I got thrown around like
a rag doll. The sea just seemed to hollow out and I'd fall down in to
the hole just before a wave would crash over the bow. I hadn't figured
on this as the tide was in my favour for another couple of hours and I
had cleared the races so why was I stuck? The wind went north and the
best course I could hold was ESE, it was so frustrating and seemingly
unfair as other bigger boats cut inside and headed towards Falmouth. This
was payment for my smugness; I just don't get away with anything! Any
how as any little boat skipper knows, when the going gets tough you just
buckle down and deal with it, whimper a bit, eat all the chocolate and
then shout at the wind for coming from the wrong direction. I had 7 miles
to beat to Helford River which in 9 hours I had completed. Covered in
salt and bruises I went to my bunk dreaming of open 60's and giant cats
slicing through and combing over choppy seas into the wind, taking on
the elements with better odds.
Between Helford and Brixham was a period of plain sailing, not much wind and not from where I wanted but progress was being made. Over night in Brixham, I stopped at the Yacht club that is very nice and does some of the best food I have had. I got a forecast and the wind was back in the east and not looking like moving. The first day I knew I wouldn't get anywhere as it was too strong so I had a day off in Torquay. When I did get out the sea in the bay was horrible. Short and choppy boat stopping waves that although very small are still able to slap you in the face. I couldn't make anything east so I went to Exmouth to wait for the wind to change.
Exmouth was very nice and the Harbour Master found me a spot in the dock. I was impatient and tried to beat the wind out, as I left the Harbour Master said that there would be a space for me if I needed to come back in? 3 hours later and quite upset about my defeat I slugged back in. It's a nice feeling when its been hard work out there to be tied up and know your boat is safe but I would be happier bashing away and actually getting somewhere. I left Exmouth with good memories of a very nice spot to stop but happy to be moving on to Lyme Regis.
From Lyme Regis I focused my efforts on Portland Bill, which before a
night in Lyme Regis yacht club had not seemed that daunting a passage.
It had now grown to epic proportions and I doubted ever-reaching Weymouth.
I had 10 differing accounts of how you round the Bill and varying reports
of the next days weather. I just didn't know if I should go and if I didn't
would I get stuck there. I phoned my dad in the hope that he would tell
me what to do as dads always right but he doesn't tell me what to do anymore,
just says I'll figure it out.
I worked out a plan and needed to be at the Bill for 3:30 so I should
leave about 9. I spoke to fishermen that morning and the varying weather
reports and times to get to the Bill carried on. I then decided to 'phone
Portland coast guard as I had got so anxious about the passage. The lady
I spoke to was fantastic; it's so nice just to hear the facts without
the folklore. With a borderline forecast but my tidal workings confirmed
I decided to go for it. It wasn't long before in wind filled in from the
south and I was rocketing along at 6 knots. I got to the Bill early and
my plan to stall was foiled by the very strong tide. I thought I had got
it horribly wrong as the smoothish patch close inshore wasn't smooth at
all. I was 2 metros from the rocks at one time and was struggling to keep
Loon pointing towards the tip. I got scared, very scared, my arms started
shaking as I held the tiller. I was crashing up and down but making on
the tip, there was people stood about 3 metres from me, I could see there
faces but they weren't smiling or waving just watching like those strange
people who watch car accidents. Was I an accident about to happen? The
closer I got to the tip the more violent the sea got, a wave would dump
over the port side, then starboard then one over the bow. It felt against
my natural instincts but I stayed as close as I could to the Bill. I reached
the end, got Loon to turn then her sails filled and the force five that
had been causing so much confusion was focused and Loon shot away at 7
knots. I can't explain the feeling of sprinting away from danger, the
adrenalin pumping with an overwhelming feeling of relief. We flew away
from the Bill, before I knew it I was looking at Weymouth. I said my prayers
that night and phoned my mum to tell her all the details.
From Weymouth I planned a nice fast passage to Poole. I had a forecast
of a force 5 SW and although I would have tide against me for most of
the day, I felt the strength of the wind would keep us moving. I got out
there and with 6knots boat speed I settled in to enjoy the ride. The sea
of St Albans Head was absolutely amazing, bigger than I have ever encountered
before. Huge, huge swellies would creep up lift us 6 meters high and after
a short surf, we would slide down the back. With 7 knots OTG, each wave
made you leave your stomach behind and with heart in mouth the roller
coaster ride carried on. It didn't stay like this however as the tide
turned we were reduced to 2 knots, now every wave which picked Loon up
swinging her round so that we would risk a jib or get sucked up to wind
caused me to shout and fight the tiller. The wind was strong and we broached
twice dipping my Harken winches in the water. With my little boat in cork
mode we whoosed round the Head and once passed the sea flattened and we
romped in. Once in I spoke to another skipper who had left Weymouth when
I had. He recorded 40 knots of sustained wind over the bow.
I'd now like to thank Harken™
for the invention of Karen proof Main track systems and winches. The loads
which each broach and knock down must have put on the rig are beyond me
but I am convinced that without the kit Harken™
gave me my boat and I would be in pieces by now.
I've made it to Cowes but have run out of time so I will put that in my next log.
Luv on you alls,
Karen.
Hello, its been 3 weeks since my last confession, I mean log.
My last night in Holyhead was spent in the Yacht club, we had a whip
round and got £121.00 raised for Cancer Research. I left Holyhead
with a 5 day forecast of variable 2-3's so I planned an overnight stop
at Porth Nefyn. I gently approached the bay as the variable wind became
a fresh easterly and then a very fresh northerly, before I knew it the
sea was picking me up and throwing me forward as I bounded towards the
moorings. The bay was very exposed in northerly and the swell was horrendous,
I don't know how I picked up the mooring but I guess when you're determined
to do something you find a little more in your self than you thought you
had. The wind was howling and as I held the mooring line trying to get
it around the cleat the boat would jump up and bash me, then it would
disappear from under my feet before returning to bash me again. I strained
against the mooring line as my one ton boat tried to break away for the
shore, I wedged my body against the pulpit and in a trough managed to
cleat the line off before a wave broke over the bow to drench me.
I felt this was a stupid place to stop but I had planed a peaceful overnight
stop with a slight sea and faint breeze, I couldn't believe how wrong
the forecast I had was. I knew I couldn't make it round Bardsey Sound
in these conditions and there was nowhere else to run to, I had to hope
the mooring held as well as my cleats. My boat was thrashing about as
I made my way back to the cockpit. I clambered in to the cabin thinking
if I could dry myself off and have something warm to eat, then wedge myself
in my bunk, that I could wait it out.
As I made my way into the cabin I did an Ellen and flew head first down
the companion way and planted my face in to the floor, I had a bump but
not as impressive as Ellens egg. Before I had a chance to compose myself
I was being shaken from side to side, I wedged myself between the nav
table and the galley which in my boat is a gap of 2 feet. I was able in
this position to open a can of spaghetti and light the hob. I heated the
food successfully and managed a couple of mouthfuls before feeling too
green to eat anymore. I lay down to hope my stomach would settle but I
couldn't stay in my bunk as I kept getting thrown out.
My patience then ended as my whole body meet the coach roof before being
reacquainted with the floor. In a fit of cabin fever I dashed out to the
cockpit to get some air. I then franticly started pumping up the inflatable,
again I don't know how but I did it, then followed the most stupid thing
I have ever done, I cast myself adrift in breaking seas in a 6 foot inflatable!
I didn't need to row as the sea was flooding, I just had to cling on.
In seconds I was near the shore and had capsized in 2 foot of water. The
next wave finished the job and I was washed up on the beach. I dragged
my dingy clear and went in to auto pilot deflating it and stashing the
oars and pump. I then wondered around abit coming to my senses, OK I'm
on the beach with no way to get back to my boat, I had a bit of a Tom
Hanks moment wondering how I would cope removing a tooth with an ice-state
boot!
There was no one about so I wandered down the beach looking for the nearest
town. I found 2 B+Bs but they had no vacancies, I was told to try the
next town 2 miles away so I walked to the next town. No vacancies. Feeling
a bit weepy and wishing I hadn't left the safety of Holyhead I asked in
a shop for any other B+B's. Don't tell my dad but I then got in to a strange
man's car and was driven back to the first town and thankfully to another
B+B. I was in a terrible mood and felt that if he turned funny I could
take him.
I was soaked through but luckily my wallet was OK, typical me, it will
all be alright as long as I have my credit cards!
It was 3 days before I could make it back to my boat, I went to where
I had left my dingy to find the oars and pump gone. Of course they had
been washed away by the sea, I felt too stupid to feel sorry for my self
so I went and brought one of those toy inflatables. I pumped it up on
the beach and as soon as I had I knew I wouldn't make it to my boat. At
this time a man was walking past, I asked him if he knew of anyone who
had a dingy I could borrow just to get my deflated dingy to my boat. He
had a boat and said he would take me out. He came round with his boat
and then held up a pump, this yours he said. I can't believe it, he had
found my oars and pump washed up on the other side of the bay. Sometimes
I think someone upstairs is helping me out, I seem to have some strange
luck sometimes.
Seven days after I left Holyhead I was able to round Bardsey Sound, the
sea was unbearably lumpy and the wind hard on the nose, progress was painfully
slow but I was making progress so I stuck at it. I left Nefyn at 2pm and
made it to Newquay, Wales at 12pm.
From Newquay I went to Fishguard and then from Fishguard to Milford Haven.
I had had the tide with me passing Ramsey but it ran out rounding Stomer
so I was reduced to 1 knot, I tried to cut in close to the island as I
thought it was still slack and I might be able to sneak through, I was
wrong! I stopped and then started making 5 knots backwards, very scary,
I managed to turn my boat around and headed out to sea to try to find
less tide. It worked but progress was slow and I didn't make it to the
Milford approach until 10pm, when it was dark. As I headed in the lights
were everywhere, it was difficult to pick out the leading lights but I
found them and headed in. I was trying to stay in to avoid any traffic,
constantly checking my depth, then it went off, as did my nav lights and
radar reflector, fantastic, I can't believe it, why now? I decided to
make for Dale as I had picked out the cardinal mark and from there if
I head east I should pass the point and hopefully find the pontoon. I
did!
From Dale I crossed the Bristol Channel to Padstow. The crossing was
amazing, I was bombarded by Dolphins five times, it was amazing, fantastic,
they would run at the side of my boat, dive under and then jump up the
other side, I was gob smacked. They were all different sizes, big and
small. They stayed 10-15 minutes at a time before disappearing. The last
visit was at two in the morning, the wind had dropped and I was in silent
darkness. First the boat started shaking, then they started diving over
the bow, even more boisterous than before.
Padstow at night was interesting but the tide was right, so I went for
it, followed the bouyage and got in no probs.
From Padstow I sailed to St Ives and then came the passage I had been
dreading - Lands End.
I spent the whole night before I planned to leave studying the chart,
looking at the tidal atlas, and then again at the chart. It was the height
of springs that day and the tide ran up to 4.5 knots I didn't understand
how I would make it round.
I left at 7.30am, the plan was - stay out to make best of tide down to Longships then try to hug the coast to make use of an eddy that would turn in my favour 3 hours before the tide.
I left St Ives with a 30 ft motor sailer, we were both a little apprehensive about the passage so decided to stay together, before long another boat had caught up and I was abandoned as the motor sailer decided to push ahead to keep up with the other boat in the hope that he knew what he was doing, I didn't care, I've got this far on my own. As the tide turned against us the other boats where still in view, they headed out to try to lose the tide I guess, I tried to cut in to find the eddy. I thought I had made a mistake as with the engine on high revs and the sails full I was losing against the tide. I zig zagged and found after awhile that I was making way east, my heart in my mouth and the tidal atlas in my hand I tried to make it to the cardinal mark, I was making a knot against the tide and when the wind blew, two knots! The other two boats where a long way off by now.
Slowly but surely I passed the cardinal and was then making three knots bound for Penzance, I made it in by four that afternoon. seven that evening I was sipping tea at a quay side café when the motor sailer made it in. Little boats rule!!
I'm sending my log from Penzance sailing club. Sipping tea and trying not to feel smug. But its hard, and I'm not trying very hard!
Very Happy Hodges.
Crinan Canal to Holyhead.
What can I say about the last couple of weeks? - to tell the truth I haven't
seen much of it myself but I'm not the complaining type so I'll give you
the high-lights.
Nav Warning ; Crinian Canal.
I had the sniffles, 3 weeks of drizzle and living in a damp hole probably
didn't help but I decided to blow the cobwebs away by renting a bicycle
and cycling the 18 miles to the end of the canal and back. One side of
the canal has a path which runs along its length the other side does not,
guess which side I cycled down!!
The path turned into a mud track, mud field, cowpat field, marsh land
to mooch land and then to dense forest. Would I turn round and go back.Nooo.
I was up to my knees in cow pat goop and lost my shoe, my blue jeans were now brown and I was drenched through and stank. I made it to Crinan carrying this bike for 7 miles and once there sat in a café and had a tea as people wondered past sniffing. Then headed back for the relative safety of the sea.
Anyhow, I left the Sea lock in horrible conditions and headed for Arran. The visibility was getting worse and worse so that when I heard the Arran ferry going into Brodick but couldn't see it I decided to stop until things got better. 2 days later the cloud that seems to be following me had started to lift so I made a jump for Girvin and then again through a light mist to Port Patrick.
People in PortPatrick were great, I needed petrol, my 3 weeks dead battery
charging and some moldy clothes drying - yachtings so glamorous.
The people who run the (only) petrol station hadn't had a delivery so
they drove me to the next town to fill up my jerry cans. They also charged
my battery and found me a paraffin light so I don't need to sit in the
dark anymore. I even got a free berth with my own pigeon, I'm to donate
the amount to Cancer Research if I ever have any money of my own again!
I left PortPatrick bound for Peel IOM . That cloud that had been following me turned to thick fog shortly after leaving Port Patrick. It was my first real experience of Fog, I wasn't happy but I wasn't really rattled. There was nothing that I could do but keep cool and check my course. I got a little more nervy has I decided instead of staying out until the fog cleared to try to make land. Constantly I checked the GPS and my position on the chart. It showed that by me holding my course I should come in at the breakwater. Slowing everything down and inching in I spotted a faint white spot ahead, closing on it it turned into the breakwater light, yippee me. I held my course still as the chart said there was visitors moorings ahead…bump, yep there it is! Very happy to be in I went to sleep.
I woke to find I was in a beautiful harbour , the sun beating down through a clear sky. I stripped and in true British fashion got sunburned. I Visited Peel Yacht club and watched fireworks from the balcony. They put on fireworks for all visiting Yachtsmen they say!
As I watch the fireworks and looked at my little boat moored 50 yards away my mind wonders to the 16 litres of petrol, Gas Cylinder and 2 litres of paraffin on board. Sometimes I'm just not that bright!
My next stop was HolyHead and here I still am enjoying a very comfortable and free berth! I had been emailed by David and Judith how had sorted out a pontoon berth and warned people I was on my way. I got in at 5;30 am after a stonking passage of only 15 hours, 5 less than my ETA. It was a fantastic passage, nearly magical - porpoises, seals, caves then a clear clear night with all the stars out and then a shooting star. O.K its getting a bit Disney for my tastes but that's how it was and I made my wish and then grinned all the way in to Holyhead.
David and Judith meet me at 2 , well they woke me at 2 (I had been up and walked into town for breakfast!) I was just having a nap. They then whisked me off to the near heaven which is there beautiful home in the welsh hills. I had a bath and a home cooked meal and then watched TV. Its been months since I watched TV and still nothing interesting was on, least I know I'm not missing anything. Still its kind of nice curling up on a big comfy chair with a cup of tea and turning the brain off as you turn the TV on.
Thank you so much David and Judith I feel totally refreshed and am ready to zoom of. I'm not sure of my next stop but I'm getting itchy feet, I can smell home just around the corner.
Boo Yeah Peggy Hill.
Karen.
Peterhead - Argyll.
From Peterhead to Banff was uneventful fast sailing. I had a nice stay in Banff, invited into a couples home for a shower, food, and a chat. Thank you Andy and Jenny for your generosity and home made cakes.
I left Banff with very little wind and felt that I would just try to make Lossiemouth and then plan my passage to the canal from there. 10 miles in and the wind backs so that its hard on the nose, I battle on somewhat disgruntled but still making way. There is a huge black cloud ahead and its raining hard, just then dead ahead a bolt of lightning hits the water. You have never seen anyone turn so yellow belly so quickly! I managed to turn the boat round on her nose, I'm not sure whether I tacked or gibed all I knew was that I was running into Whitehills fast as I could. The lightning and thunder were on top of each other as I was blown in to the marina. The HM met me, which is always nice saying "I bet you're glad you're in!" YEP. Happily tied up next to much bigger metal poles I grabbed the camera to take a picture of the monster……clear blue sky and calm sea. Whats that about? Luckily I have witnesses so I know I didn't imagine it.
Next morning, bout 0800 not too early I head out in on the same mirror calm sea, motoring is slow work so I planned to see how I felt at Buckie. At Buckie a fair wind started to show so I decided to sit out there until it changed, won't be long I thought! Past Lossiemouth I put the anchor down for 2 hours outside Nairn to check my nav in to the canal and wait for the tide so that it was fair past Fort George and under Inverness bridge. 0400 off I go, engine on again but still lovely with Dolphins and Seals about. I make the entrance to the Caledonian Canal at 1200 and tie up next to 'Elan Adventurer'. She is 44 LOA and has a 43hp engine so they adopted me as there fourth fender!
They towed me through the first lock and then we where stuck as a swing bridge had jammed so we went to the pub. Next day they towed me up the first 5 locks, setting me free in Loch Ness. It was horrendous, A strong head wind of course and waves which I hadn't expected in a loch. In the first 3 hours I had made 2 miles and was not at all impressed. I couldn't even have the engine on to help as it was out of the water more than in. I got near to the castle and decided to plug on as 6 miles in one day is just not good enough, so I did 9. I spyed the pontoon with a boat already there and decided to stop. Happy the boat there was Elan and they took my lines and put a glass of wine in my hands. Then we went and had a 3 course meal and drinks!
Next day we crossed the loch and stopped for lunch (drinks) then went to Fort Augustus and the pub! Next afternoon they were leaving having delivered the boat to Fort Augustus so we had a good bye breakfast in the pub. They were fantastic and generous guys and after my 3 day holiday I was a bit depressed at being on my own again, that and I had a hangover. It had to end because if it had carried on much longer I'd be too chubby for a Mini Transat boat and I'd have to jump straight to a 50 footer.
I got to the end of the Canal and then out to Dunstaffnage. I'd like to say here that a few of the places I have stopped at have been both helpful and kind but Dunstaffnage out did them all. The guys running the marina are friendly and helpful (navigation advice!) The couple who run the hotel/bar 'The Wide Mouthed Frog' are sailing folk and are also very friendly and helpful (lifts in to Oben to the Chandlery) and generous. The food is fantastic and it's a nice bar. The couple who run the Chandlery/Alba sailing went out of there way to get me a new depth sounder and get my battery charged. Altogether I left there with everything sorted and a good feeling.
From Dunstaffnage to Crinan was an exciting passage! I left with a strong
head wind and a lumpy sea, not getting anywhere too fast but I had given
myself a lot of time to get to the Sound of Luing ready for the turn of
the tide so it didn't matter. On reaching the Sound of Luing the wind
had dropped and the sea flattened out. I found the red buoy at the top
and lined myself up to pass inbetween the two lights. I was there very
quickly so I checked the GPS, little wind on the nose, low revs on the
engine to save petrol…….12knots!!!!
My grip on the tiller increased 10 fold as I whoosed along on the huge
water conveyabelt with the words of a kindly gentleman buzzing round my
head 'don't get sucked into the Gulf of Corryvreckan'
I floated passed the mouth of Corryvreckan at a more sedate 7 knots and
looked in, it looked scary, Stephen King scary but I'm hard now, Thames
Estury hard. However I was glad to be in the sealock at Crinan, I'm Thames
Estury hard but not Mull of Kintyre at springs hard!!
My plan is - Isle of Arran then Port Patrick then ?
East coast of Ireland or Wales? Any advice will be greatfully received! karenehodges@hotmail.com
Don't let the midges get you.
Apologies to British Waterways for kicking lock number 9, it wouldn't
open!
Luv on yas
Karen.
Sorry it's been along time since my last log, finding a shower was difficult - a phone line impossible.
Its been a frustrating couple of weeks with slow progress. The weather has been mean and spiteful as I think to myself 'this is the last time I head north for the summer!'
From Blyth I only managed a small hop to Amble where I was trapped for 4 days as a gale passed over, then I had to wait for the swell to reduce. It was crashing over the piers, very impressive unless you just want to leave like me.
I left Amble in very light airs and slowly made my way passed the fernes and Holy Island. I feel a bit cheated as I had been looking forward to seeing the Islands for a while and as I passed it was so overcast I couldn't see land and had to concentrate on a CTS from buoy to buoy, very boring at 2knots! Anyway it soon got more exciting as I planned to get into Eyemouth before dark. 5 miles south of Berwick-upon-tweed the wind was on the nose and picking up and up as was the sea. I was then hailed on, HAILED on, end of June - hailed!! I was now chuffing freezing and making very slow progress north. I decided to make for Berwick as it was a lot of work to hold a course and stop Loon lying down on the job. 2 miles out and it became too much, the wind was too strong to beat under sail and my hands and feet were numb. I got the sails down after beating some life back into my hands and motored in. It took ages and we were all over the shop but we got in. Kettle on and I made a Cappuccino, an out of the packet just add water one, It tasted like a magical drug as I snuggled up into my sleeping bag. JUNE end of JUNE!!!!
In Berwick I met a lovely German single-hander who had injured his hand. He had been trapped in Berwick for a week getting Harbour rot (its gets harder and harder to leave.) I hope he made it back to Deutschland OK, I brought him a Nessie to keep him safe.
From Berwick I made it passed Eyemouth before the wind completely disappeared. I sat there in a mirror calm sea for a couple of hours before realizing that the petrol in the red canister is a month old and probably needs using up, I'll just motor passed Abb's head. I motored to Dunbar.
The entrance to Dunbar is fab. As I approached the non-existent wind put in an appearance and then it belted down with rain. You find the leading marks and all you can see is rocks - to the left of you, the right and ahead one big rock. I slowed the engine and closed on the leading marks, blind faith a carried on towards the rocks - goodbye cruel world. Then to port there is a crack in the big rock, I head for that instead of beaching my self. Through the gap I see a fishing Vessel, hooray. I tie up and go and investigate Dunbar.
I crossed the Firth of Forth (very very slowly) and saw a whale - my first real life, 10 metres away, not hallucinating whale. It was HUGE, I pointed and called out 'a whale' then remembering I'm on my own I shut up. Hoping it would neither Hump or beat up my boat I watched in ore as it did 3 little loops and then disappeared. Got in to Anstruther and called my mum.
I'm now in Peterhead, my first shower since Amble, only fisherman were talking to me!
I have to stop the day to sort out my electrics. I haven't had enough
power to run the auto pilot since Scarborough. 12 hours on the helm is
not as much fun as it seems, although going to the loo is hee hee.
It can't be that there's a problem with the wiring as I did that my self,
it must be something else!!
Sail safe,
Love Karen.
I had a holiday in Scarborough as I was becalmed just out side - I was, I just happened to be in the ice-cream, fudges and fish'n'chips capital!! I had a great time and saw HM Bark Endeavour return to Whitby, pretty cool canons and all.
Whitby is packed and there is nowhere to moor so like a couple of other yachts I pick a big old smelly fishing boat and tie up next to him. I ask a passing fisherman if the owner would mind, not at all was the reply and he won't be leaving till 6am, great - sleeeep.
4:30 next morning I wake up, the boat is moving! I jump up and find that we are being towed backwards down the river and not too slowly! I wince as the cleats grown under the strain. Waking up I ask where we are going, as he pulls up to refuel I start the engine and slip the lines. Its a nice day and I've got a nice early start. I see a couple of his black lobster pots and an tempted to mow them down but I don't.
I have the genoa up from the previous days calm, Its a bit windier but I check the gps and I'm making 6 knots so I leave it up. (WRONG!!!)
I get to Sunderland and its about 5.00pm so I decide to press on for Blyth. The wind is picking up and the tiller is getting heavy - I know I should have changed down.
As I'm passing the lighthouse I'm knocked down by a gust, the waves are now crashing over the boat and I’m heading for the rocky shore. Its OK I know what to do, I dump the main and genoa - nothing, I'm still making for the rocks. I pull in the main and try to round up, I have no steerage, nothing. I run forward releasing the genoa haylard and pull it down, then jump back to the cockpit to try to round up or bear away, nothing - the rocks are closer. I try to start the engine, 6 pulls and the thing hasn't started, its new its on a credit card all of its own!! As my back is turned the wind catches the genoa and hoists it, I can't believe what I'm seeing, we accelerate towards the rocks (loud swearing). I grab the genoa and wrestle it to the deck where I lash it to the pulpit. I run back and get the engine started - phew, I drop the main and am able to turn the boat around in between gusts. Taking a deep breath I decide thats enough for today and head for Sunderland when the wind lets me. The engine stops, now what? The genoa sheet has escaped from the cockpit and has wrapped its self around the prop. AHHHH. I throw myself over the side and release it as waves bash and crash over the bow and the wind throws me off course. Two tanks of petrol later I make it in, compose myself and request a berth. I lock everything up and then as if we were lovers who had just had a fight I stomped off. A coffee and muffin later and I feel guilty about leaving her so I head back thinking that by the time I ever get a boat to the Southern Ocean there will probally be a ‘Star Bucks’ open on one of the bergs so I'd be OK!
The trip to Blyth was uneventful, thankfully. Faithful Jib up.
Thankyou Northumberland Yacht club for the use of the office,
Thankyou whoever paid my marina fees at Sunderland.
When you think its time to reef, REEF!!! I knew this I really did.
Love, Karen.
Back on track after my dodgy start I feel I'm on my way now. I left Lowerstoft at 2.00pm on Sunday wishing the guys doing the sailathon from London to Edinburgh good luck and headed of into the night. I sailed across the Wash at night making it to the mouth of the Humber by 2.00pm Monday, I did my usual thing of not being able to make it in to anchor at Spurn Head so just carried on. 10.00pm Monday night I make it in to Bridlington, 32 hours of solid sailing felt pretty good. I had had allsorts going on, calms and headwinds then to strong wind and some serious swell from astern as we surfed up to 8 knots (totally out of control!) but serious fun.
I had the day off in Bridlington as I haven't got the hang of feeding myself enroute and had survived on a bag of jelly babies. Left Brid at around 10.00pm trying to make Whitby for around 8-9 this evening. The wind gods have decided different and the forecast 4-5 SW is a 2 NW so here I am in Scarborough yacht club being shown Ellens entry in the visitors book some 5 years earlier.
Keep on sailing
Love Karen.
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, well actually its been a pity horrendous start. Its mostly down to the lack of experience I have in sailing my little boat. My brain does the nav as if I'm sailing a 38 footer which can be sailed 30 degrees to the wind. I can't do that I have found out!!
On Saturday 8th June I was due to leave, mid-day so that family and friends could see me off. I was just going to pop round the corner to the Walton backwaters to properly sort my self out.
The knot in my stomach had grown to epic proportions and my legs and arms were shaking. As everyone stood on the pontoon ready to wave me off after a year of planning and dreaming of this adventure I just wanted to run for the hills. I went though the motions sorting Loon out ready to go, plugged in the auto pilot - nothing? In the 48 hours before the off my battery had decided better of the adventure and had died. A reading of 7volts, dead and not coming back I'm told.
I'm not sure I was very good at hiding the relief. I had timed my departure leaving it to the last minute before the tide would turn and I would struggle out of Harwich. By the time I have found a replacement battery it will be too late to try and make the Backwaters so I should just go with my family to Pizza Hut!!! Crippling knot in stomach abated.
Next day up to listen to the forecast - SW 4-5. It took 4 hours of serious beating to clear Harwich, I new I wouldn't make Brightlingsea before dark so I tried to tack in to the backwaters. I wasn't going to get there either, get blown back in to Harwich and anchor in the Stour.
10th June, I can't even get out of the ancourage as the wind and waves are so strong. Very frustrated and depressed I phone all in sundry to let them know.
11th June, forecast as before SSW 4-5 occasionally 6. Am I completely
stupid ? I try again for Brightlingsea, the thought of meeting my sister
in Brighton for Ice-cream spurring me on. Battling and battling as Loon
fills with water. I tack and tack using the Naze tower and Medusa to confirm
that I'm not making any progress south. I tack 10 miles out, I leave Medusa,
she turns into a dot on the horizon and then disappears. I tack back,
surely with such a long tack I will be making some progress - my heart
sinks, the one time friend Medusa (SHM) is back and I hate her, I even
pass her to the
north!!!! I return to the club.
New plan needed. I have learnt my lessons, its not all been bad, I've lost a bit of weight and my bums firmer. I'm going to head north, go where I'm blown. The tide, time and weather will predict where I go I don't actually have much say.
13th of June, bound for Southwold I leave at 2000 with no wind, I motor to the end of the river Orwell passing our good friend 'Lucifer II' and her rowdy crew on route. I borrow a mooring at the end of the river to wait for the wind. 0600 on the 14th I drift across the Harwich shipping lanes with 1 knot of tide.
My mum had told me that I had been mentioned in the prayers at church. I have therefore now come to the conclusion that the God of all things and the God of the winds are in different departments and are not in communication.
I float out to sea to find the wind, slowly it picks up and as the tide turns I have near 3 knots in my favor the GPS reading 7mph.
I'm now in Lowerstoft having arrived at Southwold 3 hours earlier than expected. I'm using the computer at the Royal Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht club.
The wind today Sat 15th is a NE!! whatever. Anyone knowing nice stops on the north east coast can e-mail me
Love to all the landlubbers.
Come on you ENGGERRLANNDDDDDD.
Karen