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.