Lots of people have asked us to keep them informed of our progress (or lack of it) to the Med, therefore I have been keeping a journal and this is a brief summary of what has been happening over the past week. I apologise to those of you who do not sail for some of the jargon but some of our friends are keen sailors and will be interested in the technicalities.
MONDAY 5th MAY - Woolverstone to Ramsgate (51 miles)
Up at 5.30 a.m. for the shipping forecast which whilst not ideal (SW 3/4 occ 5) we decided to head for Ramsgate a hop of approx 51 miles. It was a pleasant morning, the river was calm and we managed to set the sails and sailed out of Felixstowe to the Kentish Knock Buoy. As soon as we turned for Ramsgate the wind was on the nose and we had to furl the sails and motor into very lumpy seas. The sea eventually calmed until our approach to Ramsgate when the tide turned and was very strong making getting into harbour a bit tricky.
After mooring and a hot drink we had a quick walk ashore to pay our dues and stretch our legs, we weren't terribly impressed with Ramsgate it was all fish and chip shops and downmarket pubs.
TUESDAY 5TH MAY - Ramsgate to Brighton (73 miles)
After hearing the forecast at 5.30a.m(W3 backing SW 3/4 occ 5) decided to leave for Brighton. Although cloudy the day promises to be sunny and the winds light. We soon had enough wind to set the sails and had a lovely sail to Dover where it was "interesting" dodging the ferries, sea cat and assorted shipping that seemed to zoom in and out of the harbour.
Once we left Dover behind we were contacted by a guard vessel for a barge with underwater workings which gave us a course to clear them. By this time the sun was shining and it was lovely and warm, the legs had their first airing of the season as I donned my shorts.
The wind died and the sea turned glassy so we turned on the engine and motored in lovely flat seas for some time. We managed to set the sails again for a short period before the wind changed direction yet again and the engine came back on.
After we rounded Dungeness we were approached by a Range Safety Boat and were instructed to go 3 miles offshore as there was firing off the range at Dungeness.
Once we approached Beachy Head the seas became quite rough and it was not too pleasant a journey from there to Brighton, although it was still lovely and sunny with bright blue skies.
We eventually reached Brighton at approx 6.30p.m. Ray hosed the salt off the boat whilst I cooked our evening meal and then we planned for tomorrow before gratefully falling into bed.
WEDNESDAY 7th MAY - Brighton to Lymington (63 miles)
Up again for the 5.30 forecast before setting off on the 3rd leg of our journey to Lymington in beautiful sunshine and little wind. Once out of the harbour we managed to pick up some wind and sailed more or less to Cowes. It was a beautiful day with calm seas and unbroken sunshine. We saw very little traffic until we reached the Solent and even then it was very light to what we have seen in the past but I suppose it is still early in the season. The aircraft carrier Harry S.Truman was anchored off Portsmouth it was a spectacular sight with all the aircraft still on board; very impressive.
We reached Lymington at 4.00p.m. and berthed easily. Ray went to pay our berthing fees and needed a drink when he came back on board as it is £40 per night - daylight robbery.
After our evening meal we walked along the quay and up the High St, it has certainly changed since I was last here, many of the lovely restaurants and small bistros have been replaced by boutiques and designer clothes shops.
At least there will be no alarm tomorrow as someone is coming to look at the sail and our Genoa cover is being delivered.
THURSDAY 8th MAY
Had a leisurely breakfast for a change, Paul from Maxi Roach arrived and took our mainsail away to be re-cut as he agreed it is too long in the luff and one of the battens is too short. He has promised to have it back later today.
I caught up on mundane things like washing and ironing plus boat cleaning.
We sat in the cockpit with a glass of wine and studied the charts for tomorrow. We can't make Dartmouth in one hop as by the time we take the tide out of the Solent we will be too late for the tide at Portland Bill, so we will try for Weymouth if the weather is O.K.. We walked up to town and had a meal out for a change, it was very good but we ate (and drank) too much as usual.
FRIDAY 9th MAY - Lymington to Weymouth (38 miles)
Awake yet again for the forecast decided to head for Weymouth, we set off at 6.00a.m. to take full advantage of the tide, it was a beautiful morning with sunshine and clear skies but very chilly.
After leaving the Solent we stormed across Christchurch Bay to St Albans Head, to be met yet again by a Range Safety Boat. Apparently there is firing in Lulworth Bay so we had to pull 6 miles out, there was certainly a lot of firing it sounded like a war zone, the words sitting duck came to mind.
We still made excellent progress and reached the breakwater at Weymouth at 11.40a.m., an excellent journey.
We slowly entered the harbour and decided to moor on the visitors pontoon at the cove in the old town, we had lunch in the cockpit enjoying the lovely warm weather and the busy harbour view.
SATURDAY 10th MAY - Weymouth to Dartmouth (54 miles)
The 5.30a.m. forecast was o.k.(W 4 or 5, backing, then decreasing SW3)and so we quickly set off to make the most of the tide round Portland Bill. The day has started cloudy and grey with the threat of showers. We decided to take the inside passage to avoid the race, it was a little bumpy at times but not too bad.
Once round the Bill we were able to set the sails and we romped along eventually having to reef the main (much easier now) and furl the genoa. The seas increased considerably and it started to rain, but the showers quickly passed and the skies brightened. It became quite boisterous off the entrance to Dartmouth but we had made excellent time and entered the harbour at 1.30p.m. We moored up at the visitors pontoon at 2.00p.m. and then spent the afternoon lazing and watching the world go by. The forecast for the next few days does not sound promising so it looks like we will be here until at least Tuesday.
Dartmouth is lovely so at least it is one of the best ports to be holed up in plus it is only £13 per night!!
So, all in all a good first week, and the next stage is to go foreign. Life is very different when it is ruled by the tides and the weather, but we are both enjoying the experience.
Ray and Sandra
MONDAY 5th MAY - Woolverstone to Ramsgate (51 miles)
Up at 5.30 a.m. for the shipping forecast which whilst not ideal (SW 3/4 occ 5) we decided to head for Ramsgate a hop of approx 51 miles. It was a pleasant morning, the river was calm and we managed to set the sails and sailed out of Felixstowe to the Kentish Knock Buoy. As soon as we turned for Ramsgate the wind was on the nose and we had to furl the sails and motor into very lumpy seas. The sea eventually calmed until our approach to Ramsgate when the tide turned and was very strong making getting into harbour a bit tricky.
After mooring and a hot drink we had a quick walk ashore to pay our dues and stretch our legs, we weren't terribly impressed with Ramsgate it was all fish and chip shops and downmarket pubs.
TUESDAY 5TH MAY - Ramsgate to Brighton (73 miles)
After hearing the forecast at 5.30a.m(W3 backing SW 3/4 occ 5) decided to leave for Brighton. Although cloudy the day promises to be sunny and the winds light. We soon had enough wind to set the sails and had a lovely sail to Dover where it was "interesting" dodging the ferries, sea cat and assorted shipping that seemed to zoom in and out of the harbour.
Once we left Dover behind we were contacted by a guard vessel for a barge with underwater workings which gave us a course to clear them. By this time the sun was shining and it was lovely and warm, the legs had their first airing of the season as I donned my shorts.
The wind died and the sea turned glassy so we turned on the engine and motored in lovely flat seas for some time. We managed to set the sails again for a short period before the wind changed direction yet again and the engine came back on.
After we rounded Dungeness we were approached by a Range Safety Boat and were instructed to go 3 miles offshore as there was firing off the range at Dungeness.
Once we approached Beachy Head the seas became quite rough and it was not too pleasant a journey from there to Brighton, although it was still lovely and sunny with bright blue skies.
We eventually reached Brighton at approx 6.30p.m. Ray hosed the salt off the boat whilst I cooked our evening meal and then we planned for tomorrow before gratefully falling into bed.
WEDNESDAY 7th MAY - Brighton to Lymington (63 miles)
Up again for the 5.30 forecast before setting off on the 3rd leg of our journey to Lymington in beautiful sunshine and little wind. Once out of the harbour we managed to pick up some wind and sailed more or less to Cowes. It was a beautiful day with calm seas and unbroken sunshine. We saw very little traffic until we reached the Solent and even then it was very light to what we have seen in the past but I suppose it is still early in the season. The aircraft carrier Harry S.Truman was anchored off Portsmouth it was a spectacular sight with all the aircraft still on board; very impressive.
We reached Lymington at 4.00p.m. and berthed easily. Ray went to pay our berthing fees and needed a drink when he came back on board as it is £40 per night - daylight robbery.
After our evening meal we walked along the quay and up the High St, it has certainly changed since I was last here, many of the lovely restaurants and small bistros have been replaced by boutiques and designer clothes shops.
At least there will be no alarm tomorrow as someone is coming to look at the sail and our Genoa cover is being delivered.
THURSDAY 8th MAY
Had a leisurely breakfast for a change, Paul from Maxi Roach arrived and took our mainsail away to be re-cut as he agreed it is too long in the luff and one of the battens is too short. He has promised to have it back later today.
I caught up on mundane things like washing and ironing plus boat cleaning.
We sat in the cockpit with a glass of wine and studied the charts for tomorrow. We can't make Dartmouth in one hop as by the time we take the tide out of the Solent we will be too late for the tide at Portland Bill, so we will try for Weymouth if the weather is O.K.. We walked up to town and had a meal out for a change, it was very good but we ate (and drank) too much as usual.
FRIDAY 9th MAY - Lymington to Weymouth (38 miles)
Awake yet again for the forecast decided to head for Weymouth, we set off at 6.00a.m. to take full advantage of the tide, it was a beautiful morning with sunshine and clear skies but very chilly.
After leaving the Solent we stormed across Christchurch Bay to St Albans Head, to be met yet again by a Range Safety Boat. Apparently there is firing in Lulworth Bay so we had to pull 6 miles out, there was certainly a lot of firing it sounded like a war zone, the words sitting duck came to mind.
We still made excellent progress and reached the breakwater at Weymouth at 11.40a.m., an excellent journey.
We slowly entered the harbour and decided to moor on the visitors pontoon at the cove in the old town, we had lunch in the cockpit enjoying the lovely warm weather and the busy harbour view.
SATURDAY 10th MAY - Weymouth to Dartmouth (54 miles)
The 5.30a.m. forecast was o.k.(W 4 or 5, backing, then decreasing SW3)and so we quickly set off to make the most of the tide round Portland Bill. The day has started cloudy and grey with the threat of showers. We decided to take the inside passage to avoid the race, it was a little bumpy at times but not too bad.
Once round the Bill we were able to set the sails and we romped along eventually having to reef the main (much easier now) and furl the genoa. The seas increased considerably and it started to rain, but the showers quickly passed and the skies brightened. It became quite boisterous off the entrance to Dartmouth but we had made excellent time and entered the harbour at 1.30p.m. We moored up at the visitors pontoon at 2.00p.m. and then spent the afternoon lazing and watching the world go by. The forecast for the next few days does not sound promising so it looks like we will be here until at least Tuesday.
Dartmouth is lovely so at least it is one of the best ports to be holed up in plus it is only £13 per night!!
So, all in all a good first week, and the next stage is to go foreign. Life is very different when it is ruled by the tides and the weather, but we are both enjoying the experience.
Ray and Sandra
