Tuesday 13th July
2 30pm
Rainy, misty, foggy, wind south-westerly force 4, course 112 degrees magnetic, heading from Fowey to Cawsands Bay, I think about 16 miles away. There's clouds on top of the hills as I go past here (Polperro). The sea looks very grey and horrible to me. Oh well, I'm making a cup of tea now, see you again.
7 00pm
Still Tuesday, anchored in Cawsands Bay. I arrived here about half five. I've just had a look at the charts to see what to do tomorrow, its about 20 miles to Salcombe but I'm a bit worried about getting over the bar if the wind increases above a five. Well, I shall have to make up my mind tomorrow, when I see what the weathers like, otherwise I shall have to go round to Dartmouth, or stay here. Its nice and calm in here but it was certainly rough out there today. I think I'll sign off for now.
Wednesday 14th July
2 30pm
I'm stood in the hatchway of my boat and the sun is shining at last, well at least for two minutes it is. It was a horrible grey morning, so I had a lie-in bed and got up about 11 o clock, it was great. Just having a cup of coffee. I think I'll be here for the rest of the day, bye.
Thursday 15th July
11 15am
Still at Cawsands. I've got a reefed main and number 1 jib up, its very foggy, I can hardly see the shore, which is only about 200 yards away and I'm heading towards Salcombe or Dartmouth. I'm on a course of 140 degrees. I've got the Deccer on and hope the thing keeps working. Signing off.
11 45am
Still on 140 degrees magnetic. I'm just crossing Plymouth Sound, although I can't see it. Wind force 4 from the South West, reefed main, very foggy, looking out for ships because it must be quite busy here, the problem of course is the ferry because it moves quite fast. Signing off for now.
12 30pm
Just written up the log and checked position with the Deccer. Am within agreement almost exactly, surprise; surprise. Wind about force 5 now, visibility still poor. Thinking about it, I may well go round to Dartmouth, instead of going into Salcombe. I have-not quite made my mind up yet.
1 30pm
Right, the log is 9.7 nautical miles, speed 4.5 to 5 knots. I've just done an estimated position on the chart and have compared it with the Deccer they are within agreement to within a few 100 yards. I'm near the East Rutts buoy and have decided that I almost certainty will go round to Dartmouth. The weather is absolutely horrible.
3 00pm
It's pissing it down with rain, its a force 6 gale, well its a gale to me in this small boat. I've altered course to go past Start Point, about three miles off. In another hour and a half, I hope to alter course to head into Lime bay and then head to Dartmouth.
4 15pm
I've just altered course to 54 degrees magnetic, to head towards Start Point and round the corner into Start Bay. Should be about another hour before I get round there and then, it should be calm water, thank Christ.
4 17pm
Just spotted Start Point lighthouse, flashing away. Only about two minutes after I last spoke.
5 15pm
Just got into Hallsands Bay. I've no need to navigate from now on really, I could just follow the coast up to Dartmouth.
7 30pm
Got into Dartmouth about five minutes ago. I'm tired, wet, cold and I've had enough for one day. It was horrible out there.
Saturday 17th July
8 30am
Good Morning. Just set off from Dartmouth, heading towards Weymouth. Its a beautiful morning, lovely blue sky, blue sea, perfect visibility. Not quite enough wind. I'm doing just under 4 knots and I really could do with a knot or two more than that. Course, 90 degrees magnetic and it should take about twelve hours to get to Weymouth. I've got the Spinnaker spread out on one side and the main on the other, so I'm goose winging down wind at the moment.
1 55pm
It's a beautiful day. I'm averaging about 5 knots, straight down wind, goose winging towards Portland Bill. Everything's going fine. I think this, so far anyway, is probably the best sail I've had this year.
5 20pm Portland Bill bearing 050 degrees magnetic, about three miles away. Could probably pilot round Portland Bill now, but I've got to be a bit careful of the race. I don't want to get to close to Portland Bill, that race terrifies me. About half an hour ago, a huge wave, much bigger than the rest of the sea, appeared behind the boat from nowhere. I thought it was going to swamp the boat for a moment, but it broke just under the boat, so I wasn't to happy about that. Anyway should get round Portland Bill in the next hour.
8 30pm
I've just this minuet moored up in Weymouth, opposite another boat. Its a beautiful evening. Its been a long day and I'm a bit drained, a bit tired, a bit emotionally shattered really. I'm going to tidy up the boat now, phone kath and tell her I'm here.
Monday 19th July
10 15am
Hello, I got up about three quarters of an hour ago, that's quite late and I've been to get some fuel from the petrol station. I'm now back on board and I've just got the chart out for "Needles channel to Portland Bill". So, I'm in Weymouth at the moment and all being well, I should either be in Swanage Bay, later today, or in Cowes, or somewhere in the Solent. Where I don't know yet. I've only been one day in Weymouth, I like Weymouth, its a really nice Town. Its got lots and lots of things going on, lots and lots of holiday makers, very pretty place, I don't mind staying here. Right, I'm going to get ready now, next time I speak to you I'm probably sailing somewhere.
12 30pm
I'm off Lulworth Cove and I can't go across to St Albans Head because there's a firing range operating until five o'clock this afternoon. I've got to go into Lulworth Cove. Its somewhere I've never been before, it will make a change to go somewhere I've never been before. I'm heading for it now. Its a force 4 south westerly, I've got my Genoa up and full main up. Its a very nice afternoon now. Right, probably speak to you again in Lulworth Cove.
1 15pm
Here's an unexpected turn up for the books, I'm anchored in Lullworth Cove. Never been in here before. Its very nice. Mind you, after sitting here for four hours, I'd be a bit bored. The range is closed until five o clock this afternoon, so I'm going to check the tides now and see what's happening, see if I can carry on later this afternoon.
9 30pm
Hi., just got into Yarmouth, Isle of White, after motor sailing, as fast as I could, from Lulworth Cove. Not a bad sail. A bit wet, started to rain towards the end. Nice to get in though. Going to phone Kath now, lock the boat up, and have a pint. Thats it for the day I think.
Tuesday 20th July
9 15am
I've just got up.
12 20pm
Hello, its still Tuesday. I've just got into Cowes. I'm going to try and find a Launderette now. Last time I was here, was four years ago and nothing seems to have changed. The whole place is still recognisable. Right, I'm off to look for the launderette.
4 40pm
Corr, I've just been asleep. Still in Cowes and its been a domestic day. I've been in the launderette. I had to do three washes in the end and of course, the launderette was right on the outskirts of town. I needed about five pounds worth of twenty pence's, fantastic day. Anyway, I'm going to buy the tidal atlases now for further up channel towards Brighton.
11 30pm
Well, its about half past eleven at night. I've just left the pub called "The Anchor Inn". I sat there for a couple of hours having a nice time, listening to group of about ten people talking endlessly, about racing and the techniques of racing yachts. Very interesting, an aspect of sailing I have never ever heard a detailed conversation of before. Right, I'm off to bed now. I want to try and get up in the morning about half past seven, to head for Brighton, I hope I can make it.
Wednesday 21st July
9 30am . As you can hear, I'm motoring. I've just left Cowes about half an hour ago, after refuelling. There's very little wind. I've got to try and get out of the Solent, while the tide is still in my favour, past the two castles. I don't think I'm going to reach Selsey Bill before the tide turns, but I'm having a good go.
7 30pm . Hello, its nearly half past seven, on a dull, cold, July summer day. Just off Brighton pier now, about a mile off, heading toward Brighton Marina. Should be in Brighton Marina in about 1/2 an hour I think, or something like that. Can see all the Helter Skelters on the front, it looks pretty. Tired, ready for a rest.
8 10pm
I've just moored in Brighton Marina. Just been and paid and put a deposit on a key. Going to have a shave and a wash now. It hasn't changed, its exactly as it was about 4 years ago. Right, off I go.
Thursday 22nd July
Hello, its Thursday 22nd. Still in Brighton. Just planning the trip further East now. Its a beautiful sunny day at the moment, but I think its forecast to cloud over and rain later on today. Its a long trip, its going to be about eighty miles and I'm wondering weather to do it in one, or be lazy and anchor off the coast and do it in two, we'll see. The tape I'm using is just about to run out, I think, so I'll have to sighn off now and turn the tape over.
2 30pm
I don't know whether you can hear it, hear that whirring sound, but I've put the generator on. So, I'm generating electricity in two ways at the moment, from my Solar panel, which must be working quite well at the moment, because its a really sunny day and from the propeller at the back, which of course, is pumping in a lot more than the Solar Panel. The battery should be re-charged quite nicely. I've just left Brighton Marina, winds about force 4 South to South West. Brighton Marina is about 1/2 a mile away now and I hope to make Ramsgate sometime tomorrow. Which means, I'll be sailing over night. The forecast is that its not going to stay as nice as this, but we shall see.
8 30pm
There's a big red sun, about to go down behind Beachy Head. I'm half way between Beachy Head and The Royal Sovereign Light. The tide, at last, has gone slack and is about to go in my favour. I've spent all afternoon going against the tide, seemingly very very slowly. So, from now on I should speed up a bit. I should make Dungeness light, sometime early tomorrow morning, I suppose. It's the time of day, when I'm out at sea, on my own, that I hate the most The light is about to go and the sea looks steely grey, horrible, nasty, unfriendly and very lonely. When it dark, I 'm okay again, but, this time of night, its not dark and its not light, it's just horrible. When it's dark, I shall cheer up a bit, the stars will come out and the lights will come on. Then, I'll feel a lot better. Right.
9 30pm
It's not quite dark yet, the sky in the West is a crimson red, but it's starting to get dark. The sea's starting to turn black, it hasn't got that horrible steely grey colour anymore. I've just about reached the Royal Sovereign now, in about 5 minutes time I'll be altering course for Dungeness. Not really looking forward to this night sail, I'm already feeling a bit tired. Winds gone down, it's about a force 2, 2 to 3, I'm doing about 3 to 3.5 knots now. If things don't improve in the middle of the night, I might have to put the engine on, but I don't want to break the silence at the moment, it's nice and quite. I've got the tilly lamp hanging in the rigging now. There's another yacht passing me, about a mile away on the starboard side and he's going the other way, so God knows, how he's going to manage with the current round Beachy Head tonight. I had enough trouble all day getting this side of it. Well,see you later.
12 00 midnight
As you can hear, I'm having to run my engine, to try and get to Dungeness before a turn of tide there. I'm just cooking myself 3 eggs, because I'm feeling hungry. Got to try and keep warm tonight.
Friday 23rd July
0 30am
There are millions of stars out tonight, you can see the Milky Way stretching right across the sky. Look's like a huge silver cloud. The shipping lane looks like the M6 of ships out there. There's one ship after another. I can count about fifteen ships, just by looking over the side. I'm glad I'm not in amongst that lot.
2 00am
I'm just passing Dungeness light House, there's Dungeness Nuclear Power Station just on the end here as well, it looks very pretty, It's a shame about its contents. I'm going to alter course now, 47 degrees magnetic, to take me up the coast, now I am round Dungeness.
3 15am
I'm tired now, yes, I'm yawning now. The sky's getting light, you can see in the North North East, I think it is roughly, you can see where the sun is making it's way round and it's only quarter past three in the morning. I can see the light house on Folkestone and that's where I'm heading towards. Then it will be Dover.
5 00am
It's light now and I'm just passing Dover.
8 30am
I've just docked in Ramsgate and I've just been and phoned Kath. I'm tired, I'm cold and I'm going to go to sleep.
6 00pm
It's the evening now and I'm not so tired. I had a sleep this morning and a rest this afternoon. I've just been and had a hot shower, which was free! I'm now going to go into Ramsgate and see what's there.
Saturday 24th July
1 30pm
I haven't been up very long, I haven't even looked outside yet. I must have needed that sleep. I'll just have a cup of tea, then I'm going to have a wash and decide what I'm going to do next.
4 00pm
I'm still at Ramsgate. The weather forecast, or shipping forecast for two o'clock, suggests that there's a low rushing towards us and will be here about seven o'clock tomorrow morning, with winds up to force 6. So, I don't think I'm going to go anywhere. I've spent the afternoon mending the new Autohelm. The less said about the new Autohelm the better. Last year it lasted about a day and this year its lasted a day. Its water getting inside the key pad thats the problem.
I've tided the boat up and cleaned the cooker.
It's taken a long time to recover from that night sail and I'm wondering whether it might be more efficient to anchor off the coast and sleep when the tide's against me, Then, overall, I would end up going further than attempting a long jump. So, if I anchor off and go a bit more, then anchor off , go a bit more. I don't actually have to stay awake for 24 hours plus at a time, then having to spend a day or two recovering. I would actually get further that way. I think I might try that. I'm thinking of getting the large anchor out ready for such an experiment. However, with the weather so unsettled, I don't know if I'm going back from here, or forwards from here. It all depends on the weather.
Sunday 25th July
It's Sunday the 25th July 1993 still at Ramsgate. I watched the long range weather forecast on the television for the next week. It does not look very good. The winds are going to stay in the West to Southwest for the whole week, but the main thing is, it's going to be very strong winds, and very unsettled. It looks as if I've got no chance of going back and if the winds are to strong and the weather's to unsettled, I've got no chance of going forward. So, feeling a bit dejected at the moment as to what to do. Anyway, something to think about.
7 00pm It's been blowing about a force 6 all afternoon, so I'm still at Ramsgate. I'm glad I didn't go out there, it looks rough to me, wouldn't be pleasant at all. Think I might have to start carrying this tape recorder around with me, because there are times when I'm out and about, it would have been nice to have made a comment, rather than just waiting to get back to the boat. I might just start doing that.
later
Well, it's still Sunday, still in Ramsgate. I've actually got my radio with me now, radio, my tape recorder. The reason I said radio, is because I've just seen a Policeman walk across the road with a radio. I'm stood outside a building in the harbour, call "The Ramsgate Home For Smack Boys", it was founded in 1881. Which is built next door to a sailors church, which was opened in 1878. One can only imagine the sort of life that those lads must have had, living in that building. I suppose they worked on the local fishing boats, weren't very well educated, if educated at all and lived in this building. That's just over a hundred years ago now. I hear on the radio, last week, that the difference in pay, in 1993, is now the same as it was in 1882. That is, the difference in pay, between the lowest paid in the country and the highest paid in the country. Obviously, that was the social security system of their day. I'm wondering if our social security system is any better. I don't really know.
later
Well, Ramsgate must have been an extremely busy, lively place, a hundred years ago. It was obviously a very popular Victorian Watering Hole. There are some splendid Victorian Buildings. There seems to have been a lot of building activity, from about 1850 up until about 1890, with some really grand structure. There's even some buildings going back to about 1750, so it was quite popular.
later . I'm just walking along Kings Street, I've never seen so many junk shops. I wouldn't call them second hand shops. I suppose it is second hand, but it isn't half junk. I suppose you can hear it, some burglar alarm has just gone off somewhere.
Monday 26th July
Well its Monday afternoon, still in bloody Ramsgate! Weather forecast is awful, winds up to force 6, occasional 7s. There's no way I'm going out in that. One thing I've noticed about carrying this recorder around, you become very self conscious talking into this little black box, with other people around. It was OK when I was in the boat, nobody could see me, but walking along the road talking into this little black box, it's quite embarrassing really.
later
That was interesting. I've just done a little bit of shopping in Tesco's. To get a trolley, you have this contraption, you have to put a pound coin in. I couldn't work out how to use it. I had the most embarrassing five minutes. In the end, an old lady of about 80 bustled up, and said "This is how you do it dear" and I let her get on with it. I ended up with a trolley, but I've never done that before.
8 00pm
It's been a bit of a blowy day. It's forecast to rain all day tomorrow. Nothing much happened today. Had a shower, been to Tesco's. Oh, there's been a mutiny, not "Mutiny on the Bounty", but mutiny on the "Coral Sea", which is a motor launch moored just opposite me, Crew walked off, sometime during last night, the owner, who was going to Portsmouth, is now thinking of having to go back to Burnham on Crouch. Maybe it's not so bad being on your own.
Tuesday 27th July
It's Tuesday 27th July. Birthday day. I've got all me flags flying. It's been a very lazy day, I haven't done much at all, phoned Kath, done a bit of shopping, done a bit of eating, it's gone quick today really. Been a none event today. Went out tonight and had a drink with the chap who was left on the "Coral Sea".
Wednesday 28th July
12 00 noon . Still in Ramsgate. Going to start making some serious plans to get out of here. Getting a bit fed up of the place now, been her to long. Some boats have gone today. There was a small gap in the weather this morning, but its forecast to blow up to a force 7 later on today. So, I don't think I'm going to go anywhere. Birthday was nice, nice quite day.
later
Just been to look at the weather chart and the forecast. It looks as if a high pressure system is coming over for Saturday and I may be able to leave, in fact tomorrow morning, or even during the night tonight I think it's all systems go, so I shall start working myself up to moving north again.
Thursday 29th July
I'm still in Ramsgate. I intended to go this morning, about 6 o'clock, but the shipping forecast at half past twelve last night started to talk about numbers into the 6's again, and it is blowing quite hard now, so maybe it's a good job I didn't go. I might go later on this afternoon when this front has gone through.
3 30pm
At last I'm on my way, and I've just left Ramsgate. It's about a mile behind now. Winds quite fresh, about a force 5. It's a nice sunny afternoon, quite warm, see you later.
4 00pm
I've just gone past Broadstairs Knoll. There is obviously a very very strong tide against me, the logs reading 4 miles, and it's actually only 2.5 miles to Broadstairs Knoll. So, it must be swishing round here. About another 2 hours and it will start to ease off and go in my favour. Then I can get a good push across the Thames estuary. The Deccer's working ok at the moment, but I've got an aerial problem. I think there's a break in the wire, from the aerial. It's still blowing about a force 5 from the south south-east area. I'm hoping that will go down, round to the south west, then round to the west later on today or tonight.
6 00pm
It's blowing like hell. It's a top 5 approaching a 6. The forecast is for it to decrease and go round to the West, down to a 3. I hope it doesn't get any windier than this, it's pretty rough outside. I've got no main up, just one of my smallest jibs pulling me along at almost hull speed.
6 50pm
Phew, it's 10 to 7 and the winds gone down, thank goodness for that. I thing I could put the main up now. Still got a small jib up and I've slowed right down. I can either put a bigger jib up, or put the main up. For the moment, because I'm going down wind, I am going to leave the main down. Thank christ the winds gone down. Bit hectic for a while, hopefully it won't go down to far. If it stays as it is now, it will be fantastic.
8 00pm
I'm stood in the hatchway, there's quite a large steep following sea. As long as it doesn't break, I don't mind, but you can sea it breaking occasionally in different places. It's quite sunny, there's another yacht passing me on the starboard side about 1/2 a mile away and if the weather doesn't get any worse than this, or any better than this, I'll be happy. Still running down wind. I've got a full main up and a small jib. Jib is being masked some of the time. Autohelm struggling a little bit to keep her straight, but I'm letting it get on with it.
8 15pm
I've been doing some navigating. I've been estimating my position every hour and it gives me a little bit of confidence when the Deccer position follows me around like a shadow. He's never more than a mile or so away and that's quite nice. I hope it stays like that.
9 00pm
It's starting to get dark now. I've just put the tilly lamp out in the rigging. The winds dropped to about a force 3 and it's moving round to the West, so I've got all the sails up again. I'm moving about 4 knots I suppose. I'm going to do a bit of navigating now.
11 30pm
It's now at night. It's very dark, lots of lights around, ships, light vessels and flashing beacons. At the moment it's quite clear, so I'm able to fix my position fairly well. I don't want to get too far away from the coast, otherwise I might find myself beating towards it. I want to keep up to windward really.
1 30am
It's been raining. I'm about 1.5 miles South of the ShipWash lightship. Just about across the estuary now. I can see the other shore. Getting tired now.
1 45am
I'm just passing the Light Ship now, you might hear it in moment, if it bleeps. It's only about 50 yards away. (sound of light ship) I'm sure you heard that.
3 20am
I'm very very tired, could do with a sleep. Heading towards Sizewell Nuclear Power station, reminiscences of Dungeness not so long ago. Heading into the coast. I hope to anchor, if I can and get 3 or 4 hours sleep. The tide is going to be against me in the next 3 to 4 hours anyway. In fact the tides against me till about half past 8 in the morning. I'm watching Orfordness light and when it goes into its red sector, I shall be getting near the coast. I'll have to start looking at the depth then.
4 10am
Just anchored, right opposite Sizewell Power Station, about 1/2 a mile off. I'm in 5 metres of water, and the tides against me now. So I'm going to anchor here and try and get some sleep.
Friday 30th July
8 15am . Still anchored off Sizewell Power Station. I've had 4 hours rest. I didn't get very much sleep, but at least I rested. I should be moving on in few minuets and take the next tide up the Norfolk coast.
10 30am
It's flat calm, absolutely flat calm. I've just passed Southwold, heading towards Lowerstoft. It's a lovely morning, pity there's no wind at all.
12 00 noon
Sunny, but there's a bloody wind from the North. I'm having to motor, straight into it. I'm just off Lowerstoft, should be turning the corner past Lowerstoft, then head to Great Yarmouth in a few minuets. I think I'll stop in Great Yarmouth. I've been doing some navigating and working out options. Unless the weather system looks extremely favourable, I think I'll have a couple of days in Great Yarmouth and then head back home.
3 00pm
Well, I'm moored in Great Yarmouth, on the river. Everything's in chaos. I think I've got to tidy up, before I do anything else. Phew, then I think I'll have a bit of a kip. It's not a very nice day now, bit murky. I'll phone Kath later on. I haven't had a look at the town yet, but looking forward to that.
Saturday 31st July
Hello, It's Saturday morning. Still in Great Yarmouth. It's a gorgeous day, about the nicest, sunniest, day of the summer so far, well, it is as far as this trips concerned. Great Yarmouth was quite a surprise. I didn't realise it was such a large Sea Side resort. It must be the Blackpool of the East Coast. There's chip shop after chip shop, penny arcade after penny arcade, sniffed full of holiday makers. Quite a pretty place, quite clean. The rivers quite dirty though. See you later
7 30pm . It's been a gorgeous day. It's been sunny and warm. I've had the whole day with my parents, who drove down from Lincoln to visit me. I spent the whole day with them, very enjoyable and had a nice day. Been on the front, had a go in the arcades. etc. etc. They have gone home now. They went about an hour ago. I'm now back in the boat. So, I've had somebody to chat to all day today, which makes a change from being on my own. Just going to have a little kip now and thinking about going out and having a meal, rather than cook on board tonight.
Sunday 1st August
12 30pm
Hello, I think it's the 1st August today. It's a beautiful day. Warm and sunny. I'm still in Great Yarmouth, anchored in the river, just by the town Hall, right next to a Steam Trawler built in the 1930's, which you can visit called the "Lidia Eva". It's got it's diesel generator running at the moment, which runs all day long. It's a bit noisy, but you eventually get used to that. I've been doing some calculations, tidal wise. I should leave later on today and be back on the South Side of the Thames estuary by late Monday night, anchor off the coast that night and have a rest there. I don't know what the weathers going to be like yet, so I don't know if I can go, but I'm waiting for the weather forecast to see what the situation is. If the weathers fine I shall leave here this afternoon sometime and head back towards Cornwall. Times getting on and if I don't start back soon, I won't get back by the end of August, so off I go.
5 30pm
It's a sunny evening. I attempted to leave Great Yarmouth, this afternoon. I set off about 2 o'clock. I went out to see what the conditions where like, to see if I could go further South. When I got out there, I had an awful South Easterly wind, about force 5. So, the wind was against and also, at that time of day, the current was against me. It was a job just to maintain my position and it was a struggle to get back to the entrance really. I've come back up the river now, all I've really done, is wasted some petrol. I've tied up against the wall again. Really, I'm stuck here until the wind changes, or goes down. I've just turned the tape over. As I was saying, I'm stuck here until the wind goes down, or changes direction, so I can go further South. I don't know how long that's going to be. I hope it's not a week again. If I have to spend a week on this river I sharn't be very pleased. Oh yes, I forgot to mention. When I got out of the river mouth, which was extremely rough, the conditions were so bad that a motor yacht had been swept up onto the beach, next to the Harbour entrance. So that will give you an idea of the conditions.
Monday 2nd August
6 15pm Hello, first time I've spoken to you all day. It's Monday, so I've been to find a launderette and I've done all the washing. That's got the washing out the way. The weathers still very nice for holiday makers, but no good if you want to sail south. Which is what I want to do. Very very similar to yesterday's weather. It's predicted to go round to the South West later and if it goes round to the West, I'll try to get a bit further South. At the moment, it doesn't look very good. I've got visions of me, stuck here, at the weekend. God help me.
Tuesday 3rd August
12 15pm
I'm walking along the river now. The winds gone round to the South West, even possibly a little bit more. I think everything being well, I shall move on South, or attempt to move South, later this afternoon. I've just been charged ten pounds, port entry fee. I think that's ten pounds per day, I'm just going to find out now. Ten pounds a day, for a twenty foot boat, to sit in an open river, on a wall, with no facilities what so ever and they are charging ten pounds a day. Well that's the most expensive I've had to pay, all the way from Cornwall. If you couple that, with the fact that it's offering no facilities at all, I think that's absolutely scandalous!
later
Well, I've just spoken to Mr Simmons about the Harbour charges, he's the Deputy Harbour Master. He agreed with every single complaint, that I had to make, about the charges and lack of facilities. Although, he seemed completely impassive, as to that his Company, or he, or anybody else, would actually do anything about it. What more can you do? I mean, it's a private Company. All I can do, is recommend to other Yachtsman, that they don't come here, because of it's ridiculous charges.
3 00pm
I don't know whether you can hear it, but it's very windy. There's a South West wind blowing, straight off the shore. I'm sailing no more than 250 yards off the beach. Reefed main, small jib. Tides against me, but am making steady progress towards Lowerstoft at the moment. I'm not having to use any fuel, which is the nice thing. If I can keep going like this, I should get to Southwold without using any fuel. The tide will be in my favour this evening and I'll check on the weather when I get to Southwold, to decide whether, I'm going to go on from there. I'm not actually navigating at the moment, I'm just piloting down the coast, there's no need to really at the moment.
4 00pm
It's still very breezy, quite sunny and warm. The tides really against me now. I'm just passing Lowerstoft. Lowerstoft sticks out of the coast a bit, so there's quite a tide. I'm trying to keep as close into the shore as I can to decrease the effect of the tide. I'm heading towards the coast, so the tide will have less effect.
10 45pm
Hello, it's god knows what time. It is, it's 1/4 to 11 at night. As you can hear, I've got the engine running, I'm beating into about a force 3. I've got full main up, it's dark now. I'm trying to stay in the red sector of Orfordness light, until I pass some chimney's, so I miss the sand bank. I've still got the tide with me for a couple of hours. I'm just about to come out of the red sector, which means I'm going to have to head inshore.
Wednesday 4th August
00 45am
Phew. As you can hear, I'm bashing to windward with the engine going, trying to make as much progress as I can. It's blowing about a force 3. It's a lovely starry evening, or night, big moon, visibility is extremely good. It isn't half noisy with this engine on.
4 40am It's starting to get light, the Deccers gone down, so it's back to pencil and paper for navigation. While I can still see the lights, I've just fix my position. Took 3 bearing's on three lights and surprise surprise, it doesn't happen very often, but they actually crossed at a point. So, must still be in practice. Things are going OK I suppose, I may run short of petrol, I don't know yet.
11 50am
Phew, just this minuet moored up in Ramsgate. Let me have a look, to see what the time is, if I can find me watch. Ohhh it's 10 to 12. That was hard work, I had to go against the wind all the way, motor sailing. The trouble is, I've got two enemies. I've got to catch the tidal window. In fact, I've only made it by 40 minuets. The tidal window shuts at about 12.30. So it's a race, it's a complete race, that I get to Ramsgate by 12.30 on Wednesday. That was figured out Tuesday afternoon. I knew I would have to do that and all of my progress, since leaving Great Yarmouth, at the back of my mind, is the fact that I have to be at Ramsgate at the latest by 12.30, to catch the tidal window. Otherwise, I've got the tide against me and I wouldn't be able to make it. Phew. I'm going to phone Kath now. Deccer broke down, so back to pencil and paper. Phew, I'm tired.
Thursday 5th August
Hello, It's Thursday, I think. Middle of the afternoon. I had a good sleep last night and got up late today. Pretended to be a lorry driver this dinner time, I went into the Sally Freight terminal cafe, where the lorry drivers have a meal and had a huge breakfast for 2.50. Big mugs of tea, much cheaper than going into the town and only a few minuets walk away from here. What am I going to do now? I'm going to get the charts out and do a bit of navigating to see how far it is back down to Brighton. Then, look carefully at the weather and see what the situation is. I've already fuelled up, so if everything looks OK, I may set off later today, I don't know yet.
I don't know whether I mentioned it before, but the Deccer I've got with me, hasn't worked since yesterday. I've been fiddling around with the aerial, but it doesn't seem to be able to find a signal. It seems to be on search all the time and I'm fiddling around, doing a bit of soldering, trying to get it to lock onto a chain. When it cant find one, I don't know whether it's the aerial, or the unit, or whether the Deccer chain is switched off. I've no idea. I don't really need it, but it's nice to have it going.
Friday 6th August
7 30am
It's a cold, bright, sunny morning, with about a force 4 plus West Northwest wind.. I'm attempting to get to Brighton. I'm going to hug the coast all the way along, as much as I can, with the wind off the land. So, there's no need to keep an accurate log. I can plot it on the chart as I go. It's not as if I'm crossing the Channel or anything. Just hope I make it.
10 15am
I'm just off Felixstowe, a few yards off the Harbour wall. The wind has gone round almost to the West. I think possibly the sea breeze is starting to set in, and what I'm hoping is the wind will actually end up going round to the South. If it goes round to the South I'll probably be able to carry on sailing. At the moment its very sunny and it's getting quite warm, but the forecast is for it to cloud over and rain later on today. Just hope that it stays away as long as possible. As you can hear, I'm motoring. That's because I'm heading straight into to wind at the moment.
2 25pm It's still sunny, but it's blowing quite strong from the Southwest. I'm just off Dungeness. I had to creep right up to the Eastern side of Dungeness, because the tide's against me and it's going to be a problem getting round, but I think I'm going to make it. I missed the tide by quite a while and it was very sheltered on that side of the headland. It's blowing quite a lot. It's a good 4, occasional 5 reefed main, second jib, and Dungeness lights abeam now, about ohhh, only 3 to 400 yards away at the most, now I can tack West hopefully round into the next bay.
Saturday 7th August
10 00am
It's Saturday morning. I haven't spoken to you since I was off Dungeness. That's because I lost the tape recorder and couldn't find it. I got into Brighton about an hour ago and phoned Kath. I've had breakfast, now I'm tidying up a bit. I'm to tired to tell you about the trip. When I wake up later today I'll tell you about it.
later
I've just got up, still Saturday, there's not much tape left on this. Anyway, what happened? If you've ever tried to beat, in a 20 ft boat, against a force 5, you'll know what Friday afternoon was like. I think what I should have done, I should have run back behind Dungeness. There's a lovely sheltered spot, just near the beach on the East side of Dungeness. I should have gone there and anchored and waited for the next tide. What I did do, I spent 5 hours beating against the tide, getting nowhere. Trouble was, once I'd started, I was reluctant to give up any yard that I'd fought and won. I fought on every tack and gained about 20 yards, the next tack, another 20 yards, the next tack another 20 yards and by the time I'd done that a few times, I was reluctant to give it up and run back for shelter. I carried on beating into this 5. As you can imagine, if you beat into a 5 for a few hours, it soon, the boat that is, gets into a mess. Everything ends up on the floor. You end up wet, and acheing. Anyway, eventually I got round and eventually the tide went in my favour. Really, that wind was caused by the sun.
later
It's still Saturday 7th it is now the evening. This is a continuation of the last tape. The last tape ran out, when I was chatting about the trip from Ramsgate to Brighton. Well, I beat against the wind round Dungeness and against the tide, making a few yards at a time. Eventually the tide released me and then I tacked all the way along the coast. The tide was against me again by midnight, so I went right inshore, up to Hastings and anchored off the coast, to wait the foul tide out. I was able to lay down and have a rest for 2 or 3 hours and even then, I think I only got 1/2 hours sleep, or something like that. Anyway at about 1/2 past 3 the tide changed and I was able to motor, because it had gone dead calm during the night, I motored around Beach Head and right up to Brighton. In fact, by the time I got to Brighton, there wasn't a breath of wind. Which shows that all that wind yesterday was probably due to sea breezes as they call them. It's blown up again today, again it's about the same South Westerly good 4 at the moment and I'm sure tonight it will calm down again. Anyway, I'm in Brighton now. Monday looks a little bit unsettled. I've just had a shower, put on clean clothes and I feel a bit more human now, now I'm awake. It was a hard slog getting here, but at least I'm here now.
Monday 9th August
midday
I'm still in Brighton Marina. I think it's Monday 8th or 9th August I can't remember which. It's blowing a full gale at the moment. The forecast said it would blow upto a force 6, but I think it's more than that now, the sea's starting to jump up and send spray over the wall of the marina. The weather forecast for tomorrow is hardly any better. So, it looks as if I may be here until Wednesday at this rate, or even later. It's taking a long time to get back, what awful weather for a summer.
11 30pm
It's been blowing a gale all day, force 7, from the west. The forecast is that it's going to blow the same tomorrow. At the moment, I'm making myself a cheese and onion sandwich. I've got the tilly lamp on, hissing away and I've got Jazz on the radio. Looking forward to the sandwich, looking forward to a sleep, looking forward to getting home.
Tuesday 10th August
10 30am
Hello, it's a bright sunny day. There's a strong wind from the West and I'm hoping it will go round to the Northwest. If it goes round to the Northwest, I shall try and leave Brighton, but otherwise, I'm her for another day.
Wednesday 11th August
It's Wednesday, I cant remember the date. It's, it's about the 12th August. Still in Brighton Marina. You probably can't hear it, but it's blowing a gale. There's sea coming over the wall, shooting spray coming straight over the wall. It's not forecast to go down until tomorrow. I'm now starting to tear my hair out, because I've been here to long. Just about to go and phone kath, just had a shower, had enough of Brighton now. There was a small window in the weather yesterday afternoon for a few hours and I was almost kicking myself for not taking it, and getting up to Little Hampton. Suppose the point is, I could have been sat on a wall in Little Hampton, in a worse position than I am now. Anyway off I go.
later
Hope you can hear all that wind. It's definitely blowing a force 8 now. The spray's shooting up over the wall and some of the yachts, closer to the wall, are getting quite wet. Or the people in them might be.
Thursday 12th August
midday
Thursday, midday, August 12th. It's nice and sunny, but it's still blowing about a force 7 at times. The wind is forecast to go down this evening and I might try and go overnight somewhere, we'll see.
Friday 13th August
8 00am
Friday Morning, very sunny and there's no wind at all, so I'm going to motor and hopefully get a bit of a breeze during the day. Heading towards Cowes.
11 30am
I'm just off Little Hampton now. It's a beautiful sunny day, there's a nice gentle on shore breeze and although I've got the engine running, I'm motor sailing and I'm doing 5 knots in the right direction. Which is nice for a change. If the breeze picks up a bit, I'll be able to turn the engine off, I just hope Friday the 13th isn't a bad day for sailing.
12 00 midday
I'm now heading towards Selsey Bill. As you can hear, I'm still motor sailing, but actually I could turn the engine off and still make nearly 4 knots I think, but I'm trying to push on as much as I can while I've got decent weather. After sitting in Brighton for a week, I don't want to waste it. I've just heard on the radio, that Brighton has been closed off with IRA bomb warnings. I only left Brighton 2 hours ago, maybe I'm lucky to get away from there.
later
It's mid afternoon now. I've just passed, well I've got past, Selsey Bill now and I'm heading towards the Solent. I've got the spinnaker up. It's only blowing about a force 2, possibly just into a 3 and with the spinnaker up and the full main, I'm having a job to make 3 or 4 knots, but as least I've turned the engine off now and its nice and quiet. For a change, I can hear the radio.
Saturday 14th August
11 30am
I've just left Yarmouth, it's a beautiful sunny day. Of course, as it's a nice sunny day and it's the weekend, you ought to see the boats in the Solent. I'm not joking, it's ridiculous. It's alright if your selling flags, but this aint no fun sailing. Your trying to get away from it all, but there's more people here than there is on the M6. Anyway, I'm heading towards the needles now. I've got about 2 hours of the tide left with me and the wing is Northeast. So, I'm actually Goose Winging towards the Needles, unbelievable! I just hope the Northeast stays and I can get across to Weymouth by the end of the day. As the tides going to go against me, I'm going to have to go on the outside of St Albans race. I think this might be the top of a low pressure system but I'll find out when the shipping forecast comes on.
2 30pm
The wind is South to Southeast about force 4 and I'm going along at nearly 5 knots, without an engine for a change, which is nice. I'm crossing Poole bay now, about half way across, heading towards St Albans Head. I hope to go on the outside of the race. It's neap tides, I should be able to get round it, we'll see.
3 30pm
I'm just coming up to St Albans Head. I'm in-between St Albans Head and the other Headland, cant remember what it's called now, and I've just put the spinnaker up. It's a lot better with the spinnaker up. It blew up to about a force 4, but it's down to about a 3 now. Iit's about a South Southeast or Southeast.
9 00pm
I'm just about 2 to 300 yards from Weymouth Harbour now. It's just getting dark, sky's still light though. I've had to motor most of the way from St Albans Head, but at least I'm almost there now.
Sunday 15th August
Moored in Weymouth, next to another yacht. Weather overcast, light breeze, no weather at all really. I desperately need a shower, desperately need a launderette, desperately need to tidy the boat, cause it desperately smells in here.
later
Still Sunday, still in Weymouth. It's now sunny and I'm just getting all the washing ready. I've found a launderette and I'm going to have a lovely afternoon doing all the washing.
11 50pm
I've just come off another boat, had a marvellous chat, ex- policeman, ex-fighter pilot, on his own. Wife gone home with a broken wrist. Oh what a marvellous evening, really nice to talk to somebody who has an empathy with what your saying. Hope to be going round Portland Bill in the morning. Why an I talking into this thing? across Lime Bay and hope to get to Dartmouth tomorrow morning, not tomorrow morning, tomorrow evening. Looking forward to getting home really.
Monday 16th August
9 10am
I've just set off from Weymouth. Looks as if it might be a nice day today. I'm going to attempt to cross Lime Bay. The wind, at the moment is blowing Northeast, sorry, North to Northeast. Just going past Portland break waters now. If the wind stays like this, just like this, it will be OK. It will be quite a pleasant day really.
8 30pm
I've just this minuet, well 3 minuets ago, got into Weymouth. Weymouth! what am I talking about? I mean Dartmouth. Weathers been nice. No wind, had to motor all the way across Lime Bay. I'm going to have a shave now.
Tuesday 17th August
7 30am
I think it's the 17th August. I'm in Dartmouth. It's bright and sunny, the weather forecast is for a north-east 4 to 5. I'm just getting dressed now, having a cup of coffee and I hope to get to Fowey today. The tide around Start Point goes in my favour from about 9 o'clock and it will take me an hour to get up there, so if I leave anytime after 8 o'clock I should be OK.
8 30am
I left Dartmouth about 1/2 hour ago, heading towards Start Point. Wind is North to Northeast about force 3, a lovely sunny morning, visibility about 10 miles. Promises to be a good sail.
10 30am
Just passing, crossing, the estuary at Salcombe. There's the wreck of a ship, which I didn't know about, up on the rocks, on the west side of prawl point. It's the first ship wreck I've seen in the whole of this trip.
5 30pm
Well that's it, I'm in Fowey. I've just moored up against the jetty. Smashing sail from Dartmouth, used the spinnaker all the way. It was very good, one of the best sails of the summer, funnily enough the last sail. So, that's the round trip. I left on July the 12th or 13th and I'm back on August 17th. That's my summer trip, July, August 1993.
Oh well, bit of a struggle, but I made it.