Away at last

Monday 11th June 2012

We have finally managed to escape the Solent! We set off on Saturday with high hopes of making Studland Bay fot the night and setting off the next morning for Dartmouth.

However, out in the Solent with green waves crashing over the boat, 25kts of wind on the nose, and having to dodge the whole P n O cruise fleet, two coasters, a car carrier and a dredger we decided to retire gracefully to Cowes.

Sunday we slipped at 6:00 am and set off with a resonable forecast. We motored to the Needles and put the sails up. Spent a while sorting out 'Arry the Hydrovane, named after the only other sailor in the family. We had an absolutely horrible sail, strong quartering seas, rain or drizzle most of the day and finally, more westerly wind than predicted.

With the wind on the nose and now pointing at Start point we decided to motor sail the last 10 miles. At least we would arrive with full batteries having had very little charge from the lack of sun over the last 3 days. This charge was not to be, as we discovered that the alternator was not charging, so we went in with no nav lights and using a torch to see the instruments saving the last of the batteries for the deck light and anchor light.

With great relief we dropped anchor at 01:45 in Dartmouth.

Today we have at last got the alternator repaired. With new brushes and voltage regulator we are finally good to go.

We leave on the tide tomorrow bound for L'Aber Wrach in N Brittany, foreign lands at last!

We are off!

Finally the weather is looking better for a passage west. Lighter winds and a projected wind from the south east tomorrow.

So off to Studland bay today with a passage to Dartmouth tomorrow. We should be in France next week.

Departure preparations

After watching the weather we thought we would be ready for a Friday departure (okay I know the superstitions, Monday is supposed to be a bad day to start a voyage in Portugal, believe what you want!). We shopped until we dropped for final groceries that we won't see outside the UK and final boat bits.

We had  two trolly loads of groceries. Just as we loaded the 2nd trolly load into the cockpit we had a lovely unexpected visit from John & Beryl.We are a lot tidier now, Beryl! As you can see it all fitted neatly in the starboard locker. Note the strange red Marmite jar lids, not to be confused with Bovril.

One of the last jobs before departure was to fit the steering lines and the rudder to our brand new Hydrovane . An easy task so we thought. To our concern the course adjustment mechanism appeared to be seized. Thinking it was just a bit of dirt or salt, liberal washing with hot water seemed the answer. This made things worse!

An investigation via the web produced a 'fix'. This required taking the unit apart -  over the back of the boat! Drifting out the bushes and enlarging with sandpaper.

All now seems well. We just hope this doesn't happen again when we eventually reach warmer climes.

So departure was postponed until Monday, when better winds were forecast.

Sunday was spent on changing the engine oil and final stowing of gear. We were all set to depart Monday morning.

On checking the weather again, we only had a 1 day window before the weather turns foul again. The decision was; a week in Poole, a week in Cherbourg or stay put!

 

Here we are, dressed overall for the Jubilee, staying put!

   

The Plan

Our plans are to sail to Spain via Audierne in France during the 1^st week of June and spend 4 weeks or so exploring the Spanish Rias. We will then make our way south to Portugal visiting Porto and Lisbon on our way south to the Algarve and southern Spain. From mid September we are planning to visit Madeira and then the Canary isles, leaving the Canaries after Christmas for the Cape Verdes and then to the Caribbean.

A bit vague I know but then this is cruising, not an airline schedule!

Farewell Party

The weather stayed good and we had wonderful sunshine for our party. It was a weekend of highs and lows saying good bye to so many people.

It started on Thursday when I had to say goodbye to my little mini and watch her drive away. She has gone to a good home, but since I have known Sean since he was four years old, I will be able to keep an eye on her. Caveat emptor!

We would like to thank everyone who came and helped make the weekend so special. Also all the lovely thoughtful gifts are very touching and will be used and consumed on our travels, and we will remember you all when we do.

A big highlight on Sunday was when Sandpiper sailed off to start her Med cruise. We will sorely miss our friends and fellow marina dwellers but wish them fair winds and safe landfalls.

Another highlight was a visit by Janet Sainsbury and Keith Gibbs who set off next Sunday to do the TWOSTAR race across the Atlantic. We wish them lots of luck and may the only ice they encounter be in the gin.

Rigging Check

Friday 25^th May 2012

The day of the rigging check. Fortunately nothing too seriously wrong, a missing split pin, a worn shackle, a guard wire needing replacing and the Genoa halyard replaced as a precautionary measure, plus a bit of ‘tweaking’. With a clean bill of health we are good to go!

Saturday 19th May 2012

The first sunny day in three weeks became laundry day so now we finally look like live aboards, even though we are still in Royal Clarence Marina. We have moved from pontoon B to pontoon C.... so much for the cruising life.

The last few weeks have been spent emptying the house and filling the boat! Now we just have a few things left to sort out, like where are we going to keep the dinghy? Where are we going to keep the bicycles? Where are we going to keep the sewing machine? (ARE we going to keep the sewing machine?)

We are looking forward to seeing everyone at the weekend. Hopefully the boat will be looking more presentable by then. If not you may well be handed a paintbrush, the deck brush, teak oil or polish instead of a drink.