Have been a little unwell for the last 6 weeks, due to bad back.  We had a few weeks in France, but during that time developed the problem.  It appears to be pulled muscle or torn muscle.  Hopefully, or finally, it is now beginning to gt a bit bette, and bearable.  When sorted will update the blog.

Been a very difficult couple of weeks.  Do we sell Bloto or not?  We've been emptying and sorting the boat and on Wednesday sailed her to Bursledon for lift out on Thursday.  Yesterday we went back to Bursledon to ani-foul her.  Lovely sunny day, but we still feel unsure about the decision.  I suppose we now sit back and see what happens.  We are away in France for three weeks, so we wouldn't be sailing anyway, but when we get back, if it's not sold, back in the water she will go. Bertie has had a nice new haircut, so is back to feeling cool and more like a puppy!

All nice and spruced up, but do we want to sell her?

Had a rather exciting trip to get to Beaulieu but it was worth it in the end.  Had a great time with Dick and Judith - goodness she is a good cook, and on the boat as well! Had a look at yet another boat while we were there and also went to Lymington with them and had a look at another boat.  Nice trip back home.  Following that, we booked up to see some more boats - Gosport, Hamble and Chichester.  Of those, the one in Chichester looks the most promising - a Westerly Ocean 33.  The rest of the time we have spent getting the Hanse ready for sale.  We will be taking it over to Decason's, Bursledon on Wednesday and it will stay there for a month.  If it doesn't sell, well so be it, we have some ideas in mind which will make it slightly more cruiser friendly. After getting it ready for sale, I must admit it does look rather nice!

However, in the meantime we have to go over to France to make sure all is well over there.  No much success in selling La Pelouiniere so far, but perhaps we will have to work on it.

Today is the Cowes to Torquay and back, powerboat race and it is incredibly hot for a change.  Loads of poeple who have rediscovered their boats after a lousy summer, are out in force at the moment. Bertie is not too happy about the heat, but on Thursday he is off to have his hair cut.

Fingers crossed for boat and house sale - you never know.  At the end of the day, only require one person.

Have had quite an interesting and exciting few days.   Searching for a different boat has been hard work!  We arranged to meet Daniel and his family up at Bursledon, but before arriving at the marina had a sail to Osborne Bay for lunch.  Unfortunately it was a bit roly and I felt sick, so we upped anchor and sailed off.  Gentle sail up to Bursledon, first time we have actually had a proper sail.  Moored up and then started the search for boats for sale.  Decided we quite like the Maxi 1000, but it may be because it's a more grown up version of the boat we already have.  On Monday went to see some more boats, and realised we had some preferences.....  Met Daniel and family and then had lunch at what was previously Moody's.  Followed by nice afternoon walk. 

Tuesday got ready for the sail back home.  It was hot and sunny with a gentle N/NW breeze.  There really are a lot of boats in the Hamble!  Nice sail across the Solent and ended up in Osborne Bay again, where we saw the Ice cream boat again

Ice cream boat making a delivery in Osborne Bay - notice the ice cream cone on the top!

Eventually tied up at mooring after another really lovely sail.  Cannot believe that we have only had a total of three good sails since April! Got home, searched on internet for more boats......  Now getting ready to go over to Beaulieu to see our chums Dick and Judith - she has promised me a bit of cake she has been saving.  Perhaps also to see some boats! Let's see.

Well we've been back just over two weeks, so I felt I should update the blog.  I really messed up visiting my grand-daughter - should really learn to "button it".

We left Plymouth and moved on down to Dartmouth, staying in Noss Marina overnight.  Not too special there.  Expensive, moored alongside another boat and facilities were poor.  However, next day moved on to Brixham - where of course, we ended up having to stay a few days due to bad weather.  I did manage to speak to some guys who had also been sailing round Britain - they came from the Medway, and we compared notes.  They were three boats and fully crewed, and like us, had awful weather!  They told me tales of how bad the Irish Sea was - and I am really glad that we didn't attempt it.  It sounded awful! 

After Brixham we moved on to Portland Harbour - and guess what, we were storm bound there for a week!  Went to Weymouth on the bus twice and Portland Bill once, where we had a fantastic crab sandwich - best I've ever had.  Only 50 miles from home and stuck!  When we finally moved on, we had a lovely sail (finally) to Studland, where we lunched, and moved on in the afternoon for Yarmouth.  And guess what - yep, wind picked up again and we had a pretty awful roly ride.  It was really terrible for Bertie who got stuck in the back of the boat, between moving boxes, which had escaped during the roly passage.  Poor chap.

Arrived in Yarmouth and fortunately got a berth.  It was absolutely packed there!  Mind you, we haven't sailed in the summer for years, so should have expected it.  Finally left on the Monday morning and tied up in East Cowes marina to empty the boat.  Bertie was really happy and couldn't get him to move off the carpet! Moved the boat to its mooring on the Tuesday and then started to catch up on what had happened in the meantime.

As it was Cowes week, last weekend we went down to Esplanade to watch the Red Arrows - which was nice, and on Sunday watched the start of the Fastnet race - which was better covered on the TV! 

Well, would we do it all again - must never say never, but certainly not in our Hanse 301! We have lots and lots of photos that we have been looking at and remembering the good and bad of the trip. We have started looking around for another boat, bit larger and more comfortable to perhaps do more grown up things like cruising, and also the Hanse is probably a bit too lively for future sailing. The adventure is over, and everything feels a bit surreal.  We visited places we would never normally visit, and met some really interesting and super people.  I am sorry that the weather was so awful, but that was completly out of our hands. I think we would like to do another adeventure, but perhaps something a little less demanding.

We're off this weekend, hopefully, to a BBQ in Newtown Creek and then Sunday off to Bursledon to meet our granddaughter again - hopefully they will turn up.  Maybe even look at some boats while we are there. 

Bertie recognised where we were immediately we got off the boat and we were concerned he may never wish to go on the boat again, but popped down the other day, and he was absolutely fine - so looks like there was no permanent or psychological damage there!  However, he really does need a haircut - and has to wait until the end of August, because there were no appointments earlier!

Days 81 to 88
We are back in Mayflower marina, Plymouth.  Went up the Tamar river to Weir Quay going under Brunel's Tamar bridge.  It was very nice and peaceful, but we had to figure out a way to get Bertie to and from the dinghy as there was no pontoon to tie up to.  Well we managed it by hoisting him in and out of the boat.  Not sure he liked it very much.  Next day went to River Yealm (Newton Ferres).  Again very nice, but quite a bit more crowded. No wifi, but more seriously, very poor mobile signal!  Had to tie up to a buoy again, so carried on with our not very nice hoisting of Bertie on and off the boat.  However, we did in the end find a better way, which I think was less stressful for him.  Stayed there four days and it was very hot.  After our experiences in Scotland, the weather was quite a shock.  We are also coming to terms with not having made the full trip round Britain, but where risk is concerned, we took the right decision.

I am off tomorrow for the long overdue visit to see our Grand-daughter.  When I get back we will be moving on to Dartmouth.

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Days 74 to 81
Well things never really go as planned.  Bertie and I returned to Stranraer, weather up there was as usual absolutely awful.  No chance of us moving, and as the forecast for the next few weeks was the same, we had to make a decision.  We decided that we had better start making enquiries about having Bloto put on a lorry and brought south.  Very fortunately it appeared that on Thursday a boat was coming up from Plymouth, so we agreed to be put on the lorry for the return journey. The weather on the day of the pickup was absolutely dreadful, and we feared that the lift would not actually take place.  I am so glad we did not stay in the marina as I think I would have been really worried.  As it was, it was a bit scary walking on the pontoon!  We hired a car and drove through the night to be in Plymouth when the boat arrived. So here we are in Plymouth.  We were deposited in Queen Anne's Battery (somewhat later than originally planned) and had one night there. Moved on yesterday to Mayflower marina, which is much more suited to us, and have spent a couple of days getting the boat sorted again.  We are leaving the marina tomorrow to have a few days just sailing about and enjoying a different environment, then I will be going up to Oxford for a couple of days to see our really cute grand-daughter.  What happens after that - not sure.  So no wifi for a few days, but hopefully back on next weekend to report how our few days of exploring went.

Day 72
Checked the weather forecast and for the next month it looks pretty bad.  Not sure what we should do.  Bertie and I went to Penzanze on the bus.  Not really that exciting.  Train tickets arrived for the return to Stranraer.  Back on train tomorrow.  At least I got three nights in a bed that didn't move!

Days 66 to 73
Passage 29
What a lot to say for so little progress.   On day 67 we left Troon for passage to Stranraer.  As usual it was awful.  For a passage that should have taken 8 hours it took 11.  Wind on the nose, and slamming through the seas.  At the top of Loch Ryan engine suddenly stopped.  It may have been because we had been running it had, with little progress.  Perry did what he could, and it started again.  When in Stranraer he did a good overhaul, but found nothing amiss.  Next day was not good for a departure and it was all beginning to get to me.  I really could not face the next haul which was into the Irish Sea.  So I said put the boat on a lorry or get a crew.  Well Perry managed to arrange a crew and I booked up a train and accommodation, to go down to pick up the boat in Falmouth or thereabouts. Following night was absolute hell on the boat, with I don't know how many ropes lashing us to the pontoon.  We had arranged for the crew to come down yesterday.  Bertie and I set off for quite a traumatic journey to Hayle in Cornwall (don't ask why not Falmouth - just couldn't get a booking), got here at midnight - one and a half hours later than planned.
Meanwhile, back in Stranraer Perry met the crew - all is not what it seems!  All mouth etc. didn't like the boat, questioned safety gear etc. etc. they just didn't hit it off. So he went home.  That was that. An expensive day for us.  Wo what next?
Well Bertie and I are booked on a train to go back to Stranraer on Saturday. We will not move from there until weather is right, but will make many more shorter hops than origianlly planned, i.e. Stranraer-Bangor-Ardglass-Holyhead-Pythwelli-Aber-Fishguard-Milford Haven (Dale).
On a much lighter note Stranraer is quite nice.  However, I had planned that if we got to Falmouth I would take time out to visit our grand-daughter - which is long overdue and becoming an embarassment to Daniel.  I will still do this, but it may be a little while longer than I originally thought.  

Day 65
Last night and this morning we had very strong winds - so that settled that! We didn't leave here.  However, tomorrow's forecast looks good, so hopefully we will finally make some progress.  I think we've just about exhausted Troon.  As our bus passes don't work in Scotland, everywhere we go must be on foot - and Perry's feet ache all the time!

Day 64
Well today has been wet, sunny and very windy.  Doesn't seem to get any better for us.  However, it looks just about OK for tomorrow so we will be setting off about 0530 for Stranraer.  My notes say, no wifi, but sometimes we've been able to pick up BT Fon, so fingers crossed for the sail and for BT. 
We have now got just over half way and we still have some very long passages to do.  At the moment we are deciding to go via Northern Ireland rather than direct to the Isle of Man, and we are looking at charts and data as I type this (so musn't spend too long).
Prestwick airport doesn't appear to be so active today as it was yesterday - perhaps the pilots don't like wind and rain either!
Raided Morrisons for our supplies, so all being well, we should be off again tomorrow.

Day 63
Well we didn't move.  Weather was still a bit too unsettled, and I think it may be same tomorrow.  Perry fiddled about with the engine and changed the oil filter.  We had ice creams - very nice.  Generally just loafed around.  However, the sun did make an appearance this afternoon.

Day 62 Passage 28
Today we left Tarbert at about 5.00 in the morning and headed off to Troon.  Rained at first, and the stayed misty for quite a while.  For a long time it was very grey and murky and the wind picked up a bit.  In the last couple of hours the sun made a bit of an appearance, but the wind picked up as well.  Generally a F4 but it ended up quite a fast sail into Troon. Took 7 hours, and of course Bertie was fed up. We will be checking the weather, yet again, and it looks as though it may be possible to set off very early (i.e. 4.00) to Stranraer.  Again fingers crossed.

Days 60 to 61
Well we have had absolutely awful weather.  Incredibly strong winds - I think last night we had gusts of F7 or F8 and so much rain, you wouldn't believe it.  However, it looks as though it will drop for tomorrow so we will be moving on first thing to Troon.
We haven't done a lot, just eating, reading and walking when possible. This afternoon our friends from Yinzi sailed in - looking a bit wet, but they had at least been doing some sailing in the last few days. 
 Hopefully weather will be acceptable tomorrow as we really need to move on.

Day 59
Well the day started off very wet, with only small gusts.  However in the afternoon we had lots of sun and a  lot of wind, gusts of perhaps F6 or F7.   Definitely not a sailing day.  We loafed around town a bit and stocked up on supplies again.  Apparently the wind is goind to be even stronger tomorrow - i look forward to that, |I don't think! Of the books I bought yesterday, one is a detective story based around this area - really good checking out places etc.

view of Tarbert town

In the town, many of the shops have pictures painted by local artists, and it's really interesting seeing all the different views and styles.

While I've been typing this, the boat has been rocking about, almost like we are sea!

Day 58
Due to the weather forecast we are now staying in Tarbert.  This morning weather looked OK and we were starting to reconsider our decision to stay, but this afternoon the gusts are getting somewhat stronger and we've certainly had a lot of rain.  Had to buy some books.  Although I managed to swap books in different ports of call, and bought in charity shops, I had finally run out.  Fortunately there is a small bookshop here, so have purchased a few to keep me going.  Have nearly caught up with the washing, but will keep the remaining excitement for another couple of days. 

Bertie is bored, but now cured of his nasty tummy bug - probably because we've been much stricter about letting him eat or try and eat any crustations on the pontoons - such an opportunist dog! 

If it ever stops raining here we will try and explore some of the are including the old ruined castle (or whatever it is) on the hillside.  Hopefully this nasty bit of weather will blow itself through or out in the next couple of days.  Fingers crossed.

Day 57 Passage 27
Well today we moved out of the Crinan Canal onto Tarbert.  It rained virtually all the way.  Had the mainsail up, but as usual wind changed direction half way during the trip.  We are now in Tarbert, quite an interesting and cute type of town, but having checked the weather forecast it doesn't look as though we will be able to move on to Troon until sometime next week.  I don't fancy gusts of F7! If the bad weather moves through quickly we will move on, but in the meantime looks as though we will have to discover this town a bit better.  Saw loads of dolphins on our route and for the first time since we set out, I had warm feet on a passage.  Finally got the sock combination right!  Bertie is feeling a lot better, so fingers crossed that will continue.

Days 54 to 56 Passages 24 to 26
Finally left Oban.  Said goodbye to some new friends on their boat Yinzi and wish them all the best for their onward passage.
Left Oban at 5.00 and of course it was raining, however we had a good wind and tide with us.  Tide was quite fast so we actually made good passage to Crinan.  Wanted to fill up at Crinan and the fuel station was some dodgy rubber platform on which to moor the boat - not for the feint hearted. Got into Crinan canal and tied up.  Arranged to have "assisted passage" i.e. someone to help us with the locks, for the next two days. No wifi or mobile phone signal at this point!
Following day because it was not easy at all!  Unfortunately, Bertie was ill during this passage and had a very badly upset stomach.  There was nothing I could do while we were wrestling with the locks, but as soon as we had a slight pause, I had to clear up a rather nasty mess and look after him.  We finally tied up about half way along the Crinan - and yes, it was still raining.  Difficult to get things dry. Still no wifi, but at least we had mobile signal.
Fortunately today it has been dry all day, so we managed to get our oilies dry and set off to continue with the locks on the canal, and our helper.  Outside of the canal some very strong winds were blowing, so for once we were in the best place.  We are now tied up in the basin at the east exit of the canal and should be leaving tomorrow for our onward sail to Tarbet.  Bertie is still not quite right, and I have been giving him his medicine (which I had packed in advance). It did get very tiring getting up every two hours during the night to take him out. Forecast for tomorrow looks ok, but just for one day.  So that's almost the end of our canal work on this trip, only one more lock to go, so that we can get out.
Just thought I would mention that we had a heron about two feet from the boat this morning, but as soon as we got a camera ready, off he flew.  Yesterday we saw a deer swimming across the canal.

Day 53
After a rainy day in Oban we thought we were going to move on today, but no, the wind picked up and because of the nature of the route (i.e. strong tides) what we didn't want again was wind over tide.  It caused enough problems last time.  So it looks as though we will try again tomorrow.

However, we went out for a meal here in the marina last night and it was really good.  New owners of Oban marina and they are working really hard to make it a lovely place - and I think they are succeeding.  We have been chatting to a nice couple that we met on the Caledonian Canal and they were hoping to move on as well.  But same problem as us (nice boat though). 

Had a good walk in the hills with Bertie today, although at the moment he's passed out again!

Viewof Oban.  Free ferry from the marina (opposite on Kerrera island) to Oban.

Days 45 -52 Passages 18 - 23
We left Inverness and went into the Caledonian Canal.  Unfortunately WiFi was £3/hr which we considered too expensive, so no blog updates.   Passages 18 - 22 were all the Caledonian Canal.  Very interesting in places, but the locks were hardwork.
Passage 23 was leaving the Caledonian Canal and onward passage to Oban.  Very sunny but unfortunately wind against tide, so a lot of banging, which upset Bertie and the wind direction was on the nose, which upset Perry.  Also the trip was over 8 hours, which upset me!
Day 52 - day of rest in Oban Marina (Kerrera Island).  We will be taking the free fery to Oban town to do some exploring and tomorrow it's off to the Crinan Canal, through some pretty dodgy water!  Again it is likely no Wifi.

Day 43 Passage 16 Whitehills to Lossiemouth
As it is sometimes difficult to get a WiFi signal I will post updates as and when I can do them.  Unfortunately where there is a poor signal it is also very difficult to upload photos as well - so be patient.
We left Whitehills (probably the first place we have really enjoyed) at 0530 and had a very gentle saill to Lossiemouth.  Very light wind and it just got hotter and hotter.  Bertie was happy on deck.  However, as we arrived in Lossiemouth I had a totall panic - I just could not see where the harbour entrance was.  Nothing.  Perry, ever cool, just said we will be following our GPS waypoints in.  I really could not see where we were going to enter the harbour until we actually did - it was a bit tricky as well.  We were greeted by someone from the marina - which apppears to be a thing in the East of Scotland, and tied up - opposite Acid Rain and EIO (some chums we met in Grimsby).  Temperature went up and up and poor old Bertie just faded.  Got some supplies in and some yummy pies and quiches.  Decided to move on to Inverness next day.

 Day 44 Passage 17 Lossiemouth to Inverness
Can you believe it after all that bad weather it is now too hot.  Left Lossiemouth at 0315 (early because of the tides) and had a very gently sail down to Inverness.  Toilet packed up - disaster!  It was a slow sail, but we managed to see bottle nosed dolphins ( they are running trips to see them, and we got to see them for free).  Tied up and Perry took on the onerous task of fixing the toilet - which he did!  Good boy.  Bertie is still passed out with the heat, but we are showered and fresh for our shepherds pie tonight.  Looks like we will be going for the Caledonian Canal tomorrow - yet another milestone.  I must admit I am not really looking forward to all those locks......

Day 41 passage 15 Peterhead to Whitehills
Left just before 5.00, everything was fine. Left at same time as Acid Rain.  A reasonable wind not too much, and although we left very early it was so that we could maximise on the tide to take us round Rattray Head. 

Acid Rain off Rattray Head

Bertie inside while Perry doea some nav

Rattray Head

Unfortunately after about three hours we no longer had the tide with us and we were sailing into the wind which made us start to slam into the waves.  This really unnerved Bertie, and as it continued he started to get really stressed and was looking for somewhere to hide.  In the end I brought him on deck.

Here he is on deck being comforted and bribed with biscuits - and yes it was that cold!

He stayed on deck for the rest of the journey. We passed some interesting scenery of Whitehills

Off Whitehills

Tied up in Whitehills a bit later than planned,

Day 42
Decided to stay here another day as the weather tomorrow will be a little better.  So I caught up on washing - what's new! and Perry set about setting fire to the boat - long story, but best left unsaid!
We will be going on to Lossiemouth tomorrow.

Bloto in Whitehills marina

We've explored the village a couple of times and it's just like Brittany!

Day 40
Decided not to move because the forecast showed that the winds would be too strong for us.  However, wind will be in a different direction tomorrow, and although F4 we intend to leave at about 4.45 and head off to Whitehills, passing the dreadful Rattray Head.

Day 38 Passage 13 Arbroath to Stonehaven
Woke up to rain! Perry was fed up and said we're not moving!  After some convincing decided to call Acid Rain which had gone to Stonehaven day before.  They said they were still there and we could tie up to them.  This was better than all the way to Peterhead.  Set off at 11.15 - raining! Gradually wind picked up as well, and then it got very cold. Basically, yet another asful sail. Got in at 4.15 tied up to Acid Rain who was tied up against the wall.    We were absolutely soaked and very cold.  Heater on, so dried things and gradually thawed out.  As we were still not at high water there was no way to get Bertie ashore.  After about 3 hours, Perry managed to haul Bertie up the wall for his walk - all a bit shocking for him. Getting back aboard was just as traumatic - he is now passed out!  Tomorrow hopefully will be Peterhead.

Arbroath harbour

Perry and Bertie in Stonehaven

Stonehaven

Tied up to Acid Rain

Day 39 Passage 14 Stonehaven to Peterhead
We left Stonehaven at 4.30 and outside the harbour saw loads and loads of porpoises or dolphins - I don't know the difference.  It took ages to get a photo.  It was as usual a long and roly poly ride to Peterhead, and also very cold.  We are now happily tucked in in the marina, and the only doubt is about tomorrow as we are getting mixed information about the weather.

There really was a dolphon

told you so

and even closer -making the boat roll

interesting arch near Peterhead

Peterhead marina and beach which Bertie loved

Day 36 Passage 12 Eyemouth to Arbroath and Day 37

St Abbs Head

Isle of May

Arbroath harbour

Arrived in Eyemouth and moored onto a pontoon alongside harbour wall.  Harbour master very welcoming and the town has had some European money and Scottish money to help develop it.  It was interesting that they are trying very hard to attract business and tourists.

 Eyemouth Harbour - I am having trouble with the blog page at the moment,, but will continjue anyway.  Left Eyemouth Harbour yesterday morning and went on to Arbroath (yes the place of the Smokies).  Passed St Abbs Head en route (yes the one of the weather forecast). And also crossed Firth of Forth which had Isle of May stuck in the middle of it. (bit like this blog).  Arrived in Arbroath (which has a strange lock in system) and greeted by friendly harbour master and his singing dog (who apparently has a facebook page)

Arbroath welcome.  We are stilll in Arbroath today as the weather forecast yesterday didn't look too special.  Unfortunately, today has turned out fine and we are still here.  We are planning on moving on to Peterhead tomorrow.

 

 

 

 

Day 35 Passage 11 Amble to Eyemouth
Short term wifi here.  Weather incredibly calm so motored all the way.  Unfortunately we had a minor misshap.  The boiler let go of its hose and filled the bilges with 100 litres of water.  Perry has just finished making a full repair, so we are fine.  Sounds worse than it was, but we were both a bit fed up with it.

Anyway, left at 7.15 this morning, passing Lindisfarne, Holy Island and seeing loads of birds, including puffins who were incredibly difficult to photograph!

Farne islands

Holy Island/Lindisfarne

The best I could do capturing a puffin on the camera

Berie finally managed to worm his way on deck

We are now in Scotland and have also done over 500 miles.  Tomorrow should be Arbroath - but I must check the weather first.

Day 34
Still in Amble, but tomorrow we are leaving for Eyemouth (after we've checked the weather yet again) at about 0700.  Acid Rain decided to leave, heavier boat so doesn't get thrown about so much.

Acid Rain leaving Amble

Hope we meet up with them again.
Caught up with the shopping as we appeared to be eating our way through our supplies.  This afternoon decided to go for a walk along the river bank.  Headed towards the castle

Walkworth Castle from the river bank.

Took the photo of the castle just in case didn't make it all the way to the castle.  However, we did.....

Walkworth castke - worth the walk!

So now it's get ready for onward trip again.  I don't think Eyemouth has wifi in the harbour, so unlikely I can update until we get to Arbroath.

Day 32, Passage 10 and Day33
Started off really well.  Left Hartlepool at 0800, with very gentle breeze, followed by sunshine.  Left same time as Acid Rain.  Magic sailing.   And the wind was in the right direcction!  It picked up a bit and we were absolutely romping aling - then it died for a short while.

sailing alongside Acid Rain

Northumberland coastline

However, when the wind returned it was from the wrong direction and it had picked up in strength.  By the time we reached Amble it was blowing a F4/F5.  The only interesting features en route where when we were almost here - beaches and countryside looked lovely, as well as Coquet Island.

Coquet Island

Perry reckons he saw a puffin (apparently there are puffins here) and a couple of seals.  When we arrived in the mina, tied up, then after tea went for a lk round the very small town.  Very quant and very clean! Lots of civic pride here, which has been missing in many of the other places we've visited.

Day 33
Dawn was calm

Dawn at Amble marina

but now it is wet and windy.  We will be going into town later on to buy a pie.  Two butchers here and their speciality is pies!  Yum, yum just what Bertie and I are looking forward to.  Weather forecast indicates that we may be here for a couple of days.  Still I think I can survive on pies for a while.....

Day 31
Surprise, surprise we are stuck again.  On the forecast for today we decided that it was just taking too much of a risk to arrive at an unknown port with a force 5 behind us.  If the forecast had said it was dropping, we would have ventured out, but...... anyway M & S saved the day.  Bought some yummy food and we had a bit of a feast.  Just what we needed.

Let's see what the weather has in store for us tomorrow - hopefully we can move on to Amble - fingers crossed...

Day 28 Passage 8, Day 29 Passage 9 and Day 30

Just before giving an account, I'd like to show a picture of George's boat Star.  We were so long in Grimsby that we made lots of friends, and George was our pontoon neighbour.

George's boat

Day 28, passage 8 Grimsby to Scarborough
Finally left Grimsby at 0545.  It was pretty cold and dull but at least it was only a F2/3.  Went round Spurn Head easily - no big shiipping, and basically ate our way to Scarborough on a very boring and uneventful journey.  Although the sun came out, it was pretty cold for most of the way and there was a haze on the coastline which affected visibility.  Entrace was (thank goodness) easy and we were guided by the Scarborough Harbour Master - although I had a bit of a problem with his accent!  Met up with another couple who are also sailing round and left Grimsby at the same time as us.  Although it was sunny when we arrived, it soon got cold, and Bertie was pretty fed up after 12 hours of sailing.  Somewhere we sailed over the Greenwich Meridian line!

Scarborough castle

Scarborough from the harbour

Day 29 Passage 9 Scarborough to Hartlepool
Started off with an absolutely perfect day.  Watched sea birds having fun in their formation flying displays.  Tried identifying the makes but I think I need to get a better book!

Leaving Scarboroough

Acid Rain leaving at the same time as us

view of Whitby

Whitby

More of Whitby castle

Then after 3 hours, wind picked up and sailing was still good.  Then wind picked up again, and again, and again....somewhat more lively than we wanted!  Two reefs, then took main down, and opened up furling jib to not much more than a pocket handkerchief - still surging and going too fast.....  We finally arrived at Hartlepool Marina in a Force 6 - not what the weather forecast had said at all!

On one side this monstrosity

and on the other a windfarm all while a force 5 is blowing!

After 7 and a quarter hourse we were pretty tired, but had to lock into the marina and we were then given a berth - which was occupied.  Although we tied up on a pontoon, the wind by then was so strong that we were continuously being blown off the pontoon and looked as though we were heeled over - despite the hundreds of ropes we used!  We did eventually move (with help) to another designated mooring, which was less fraught.

Day 30 - we are a month into this now, but today we are not moving!  Our next move will be to Amble, probably tomorrow, but we won't undertake it until the weather is a bit more settled.  Just opened Bertie's second bag of dog good.  I think he's getting fat.

Day 27
Change of plans.  Strong winds during the night so we decided no to leave this morning because the seas would still be very big.  Back to plan A, or it could be plan B, and we will be leaving tomorrow morning.  Very cold at the moment, but at least the wind has died down a bit.

Day 26
Well this is it, a decision has been made and we are off to Scarborough at 0530 tomorrow.  Weather is just about OK but I expect we will have some rather huge waves to contend with.  Our arrival time is the evening, and we are not sure whether we will be able to have a wifi connection, but I will try.  If not, the next posting will obviously be where there is a connection.  It has been very windy and cold here today, and we had hoped that the wind would at least die down a little so the waves would settle down.  However......

I will miss the people here at Humber Cruising Association, they have all been really kind and friendly.  I will particularly miss Jenny who will soon be going off on her Baltic ARC adventure.  I hope she is able to keep me informed of how she gets on.  It's a long way.

All the supplies have been restocked with some additional chocolate bars, water has been topped up and the diesel tank is full.  Next stop Scarborough.

Days 24 and 25
Not a lot happenning.  Wind still from wrong direction and too strong.  However, it looks as though there may be a slight lull in the strength of the wind on Tuesday, and if that's the case we will make every attempt to move on to Scarborough.  If not, it will be Wednesday as planned, when the wind definitely eases.  The only problem with moving Tuesday is that after so many gales, the wave heights may make the sail round to Scarborough a bit rough and lumpy, to say the least. It will be nice to move on, so keep fingers crossed for the next few days.

Day 23
Still looks as though Wednesday will be our departure day to Scarborough.  However it is still incredibly windy here at the moment and from the wrong direction, although very sunny.

Walked to Cleethorpes this morning, along the beach.  Very windy, but a lovely walk.  Stopped for a coffee where they allowed dogs, and they gave Bertie a supply of biscuits, which he loved.

Beach at Cleethorpes.  Sunny and blue skies, but if you look hard you can see the rough see and the poor chap standing with his coat collar wrapped roung his neck!

And yes, they have donkeys in Cleethorpes, but unfortunately because it was so cold, no takers.

Rest of day was taken up with shopping and chores.  The club does a book exchange, so I have now got something else to read!

Day 22
Bitterly cold again but at least we have had some sunshine.  Some good news on the horizon, we are getting a weather window which will allow us to move.  Only problem is that it is a week away.    Just did general housekeeping duties today ie cleaning and eating!

Day 21
Not a lot to say really, except that the wind is still too strong and in the wrong direction.  Checked the jet stream on the interenet, and it really is in the wrong position.  Could someone please do something about it?

Went into Grimsby via a nicer route, not so seedy and filthy.  Picked up timetables, maps etc. so it is likely that we may try going to Lincoln.  Maybe tomorrow.  No rush.  Looks as though we will be here for ever!

Caught up on washing - not that exciting really....

Day 20
Forecast not good for the next few days.  Wind will still be from the East or North East and we need a South or South Westerly.  Also as tide times are changing, it also becomes a problem to get out, because we need to arrive in Scarborough in the daylight.  So for a bit longer we are here. 

From where we are moored we can see this impressive Victorian water tower - which is often associated with Grimsby.  Unfortunately the whole area is closed to the public.

 

Today we decided to go on the bus to Hull and experience the "city of culture".  After what seemed like a lifetime on the bus, crossing the enormous Humber Bridge, nearly 2 hours later we arrived in Hull.  It was not exactly what we expected, but we had a roam round.  Obviously nowhere allowed dogs, so we had fish and chips outside in the freezing cold, and later a coffee, also outside in the freezing cold.  Very few outside restaurants and cafes - well done Hull!

Did manage to see Weeping Window, the cascade of ceramic poppies, which is on tour.

After loafing around for a bit longer and picking up a couple of cakes for the return journey, we sloped off down to the bus station (which together with the train station was very impressive) and got the bus back to Grimsby.  Forgot to add that the walk from the marina to the bus stop, was also pretty long.  Then I remembered we had run out of milk, so had to trudge back to Asda! By the time I got back to the boat a cup of tea was waiting (thank you Perry), but Bertie had completely passed out.

Not sure what is on for tomorrow.  Perhaps another exciting magical mystery tour....