Week 13 - Monday - Olympics

It's a busy week away from the boat involving 3 separate trips to London. We are going to watch some Olympic swimming, athletics and a trip to the Harry Potter studio tour!

We have given the beach volleyball tickets to Tom and he is going with one of his pals. I hope that he realises what a big sacrifice that was!

They are currently trying to work out what fancy dress to wear! Not sure what it might be, but I saw him going through Abigail's bikini drawer yesterday.

He is also taking part in one of the cycle races!

Not much boat stuff going on, just making arrangement with Steve and Barry for their weeks.

Week 13 - Saturday - Olympic week

Met up with Vanessa in Eastbourne yesterday and watched the Olympic opening ceremony at her sister ( Helen's) flat.

Paul and Carol did loads more work on the boat and we now have speakers in the cockpit. Hopefully they enjoyed the week - Paul has had two of the four sunny weeks so far - lucky lad!

We came home today and will be away from the boat until 6th August to attend various events at the Olympics.

I find it difficult leaving the boat, but it will be good to spend time with the family.

I am not going to Blog each day now until I am back on the boat - I am syre that you have had enough of me by now!

Week 12 - Friday - Eastbourne

We had a great sail across to Eastbourne today, although it was pretty lumpy out there.

We had a rolling sea behind us for the whole day, which made for a fast but uncomfortable sail. I introduced Paul and Carol to the big sail, and we cruised along happily until the end got too strong.

Eastbourne is a massive marina and we were involved in a race for the lock with loads of other boats. A fishing vessel decided to try to run us over, but he changed his mind at the last minute!

We have jobs to do tomorrow, before leaving on Saturday.

One of these is to replace the buzzer alarm on the engine.

I had thought that it wasn't working but it turns out that it is at a frequency that everyone else can hear but not me!

Must be old age!

Week 12 - Thursday - Dover

Just on the way to Eastbourne, flying the cruising chute and making good progress.

We left Dover early, asking permission to leave the harbour through Port Control.

We had previously listened to a Frenchman also asking permission to leave. The Port Controller was getting frustrated - asking the same question over and over.

"Which direction are you heading - East or West?"

"Yes, zank you"

After four attempts, he gave up!

Dover was a surprisingly pretty place.. The West end of the port has a pretty beach. This was full of people in swimming costumes. A sea of tattoos interrupted by very red patches of skin!

This is the last leg of this stretch, then starting again after the Olympics.

Week 12 - Wednesday - Ramsgate

Yesterday we spent the day in Ramsgate, recovering from the 2 previous long days.

It was a lovely sunny day, ideal for catching up with jobs.

Paul climbed the mast to hang up a washing line for Carol's underwear. He then serviced the engine and replaced the faulty switch on the bilge pump.

Sounds easy, but in reality it was very physical.

Carol and I winched Paul up the mast in a harness. Not comfortable and when he came down he was talking in a very high voice and had lost the use of his legs!

The engine and bilge pump work then involved him having to lie, cramped in the bilges for long periods.

He will be stiff today for sure, but he enjoyed himself. Thanks again Paul.

Short hop to Dover today.

P.s. He actually climbed the mast to fix the VHF, which has been playing up since we left Pwllheli. Turns out that it was a coroded connection at the base of the aerial.

Must say that it is a relief to have it working properly and not relying on a handheld radio.

Week 12 - Tuesday - Ramsgate

Yesterday was one of those great sailing days, which are actually quite rare.

Sunny, warm but also enough wind to keep up a good speed.

We had an enjoyable trip, with only one difficult moment.

We took the coastal route to Ramsgate, which is quite shallow. At one point the charts showed that we had to weave between two sand banks, following a red and green buoy.

Well, we never found them. We passed where the charts and gps showed them but they were not there. We had 20 anxious minutes watching the depth - worrying every time that it dropped - but we passed the banks none the wiser!

After that we passed Margate and headed round to Ramsgate - passing a lovely old sailing vessel.

Once at Ramsgate we found that a rally of 28 German boats had got their towels down in the marina before us (!) but managed to grab the very last berth.

Engine service today as well as Paul going up the mast to see if we can finally fix the VHF.

A horticultural interlude...

Peter J here - Meg and I went to the Tatton Flower show on Saturday.  I saw this and thought of you.  Entry by Birmingham council in the flowerbed competition.

Week 12 - Monday - Queenborough again

It was great to meet up again with Paul and Carol yesterday. They drove Vanessa's car down to London and Tom drove it home.

While they loaded the boat, Tom and I drove off with the jerry can in search diesel. We knew where the BP station was (half a mile) but due to the Olympic traffic controls, just could not turn right anywhere. We ended up on the other side of the river before finally getting fuel, 30 minutes later!

We locked out of St Katharine Docks at 15:00, waved a tearful goodbye to Tom and headed down river.

Sunday on the Thames - it was chaos!

However once past Greenwich it calmed down and we had a great journey down river, hitting 10 knots at times. That is a record for this boat!

Beautiful sunset and a lovely end to the day.

Ramsgate next.

Great Moment!

After two weeks of cold turkey treatment, I have finally broken Tom.

For the first time in 10 years, he has woken up at 08:00 - without any prompting or alarm!

He may never be the same again!

Week 12 - Saturday - St Katharines Dock

Yesterday was a good day, as the trip up the Thames was great fun.

We picked up the tide and were flying up the river at 8 knots at times ( our max. is usually 5 knots.)

The M25 was at a standstill as we passed under the Queen Elizabeth bridge - we almost felt sorry for them!

Loads of commercial traffic to avoid in the lower Thames, then loads of tourist and security vessels from Greenwich upwards.

Tom was waving to everyone as usual; his best returns being out of the window of a helicopter and from the top deck of the massive warship HMS Ocean!.

It felt like creeping into London through the back door - quiet and no sign of the masses of people who are always walking around the city.

Once at Tower Bridge it was different - chaotic.

We had to wait for boats to lock out of St Kats. before we could get in. This meant hovering in the river, against a strong current, with tourist boats jostling for the best views and torrential showers!

After a stressful hour we finally went through the lock, squeezed next to a huge Thames barge.

Once moored up, Tom went off to pick up Abigail ( visiting us for the night) while I had a snooze.

I was just dropping off when I was visited by a nice, efficient policemen! Security is so tight around and they are checking all boats. I asked him onboard and answered the questions - including 'how tall am I!'

All of the time I could see him looking around the boat, checking me out. Not sure what he made of the food stash, strong smell of diesel or the autobiography of Howard Marks (the infamous dope dealer) - but I passed the test!

Abs turned up and we went up to the West End for food. I must say that I found it very disorientating - being amongst crowds of people, after so long away.

Give me the most remote pub in Britain any day!

London

Great trip up the Thames and now in St Katharine Docks.

Remember this Griff?

The trafalgar!

Breakfast

Tom's breakfast.

Just got a wave from a helicopter pilot.

Mist

Do you remember how we never saw Ben Nevis because of the mist...........well we might not see London either!

Week 11 - Friday - Queenborough

First an update on Haggis Curry.

It does what is says on the Tin..........haggis that tastes of curry!

No sauce, no vegetables, just dry haggis. Lovely!

On a mooring buoy in Queenborough now, waiting for the tide. The plan
Is to motor up the Thames today to St Katharines dock at Tower Bridge.

Should be fun.

Yesterday was a tough old day - with very strong winds to start with that we knew would subside later.

It was a case of just taking the pounding early on, knowing that it would improve.

The first 4 hours were very uncomfortable and scary. We were bashing into big waves that were breaking over us.

Eventually I decided to ease the pain by taking a different route to the Thames, which would allow us to run with the wind behind for a while. This is generally a more comfortable point of sailing.

It was better but hard to steer. The worst point came when a wave broke over the back of the boat and soaked the cockpit. Not had that before and I must admit that I considered turning back to Harwich at that point!

Anyway we soldiered on and the winds did eventually ease and died away.

This all put us behind the schedule and fighting the current for the last 6 hours, which added to the misery of the day!

Altogether one to forget - The only benefit being that the relief of finally arriving meant that even Haggis Curry tasted good!

Haggis Curry

Just moored up after a Long and very rough day today.

Celebrating still being alive with Haggis curry!

Will let you know if it is as bad as we all imagine!

Week 11 - Thursday - Shotley

Today we make a break for freedom from Harwich, to get to the Thames Estuary in preparation for the trip upstream tomorrow.

The wind is still quite strong but forecast to decrease as the day progresses.

As always we have been given lots of advice and have to balance this alongside the pilot books.

The best advice so far came from Trevor, who we met in Hull.

He warned us of the lobster pots off Cromer and not to sail through there in the dark.

Trevor was right - there were hundreds of pots there, I have never seen anything like it. Most well marked with flags but the occasional small buoyed pot to catch you out!

We were cautious and for good reason. We heard that a yacht had earlier got caught on one and had to call out the lifeboat.

We will have to be alert today as there are many buoys to follow and the Thames has lots of sandbanks.

Planning to leave at 07:00.

Week 11 - Wednesday - Shotley Marina

We motored round to the fuel pontoon yesterday and after filling up, spontaneously decided to carry on and sail down river to Shotley Marina.

This is closer to the mouth of the river, so will save us time tomorrow when we leave.

Shotley is a great marina, even though it is opposite the docks! We spent ages watching a container ship being loaded - it ended up taking 24 hours

The only problem with Shotley is that is at the end of a peninsular and there is not much to see.

As there are Force 7's around today, we are looking for entertainment. Our plan was to catch the ferry across to the ancient port or Harwich.

However, as you can see from the photo - the ferry is not running today!

In the pub instead, followed by yet another film extravaganza this afternoon!

Hopefully off to the Isle of Sheppey
tomorrow and up the Thames on Friday.

Sailor Saves The Olympics

You can tell that we are bored; have just sent the below attempt at getting at letter published in the Times.

Sir,
Since I left Wales in May to sail clockwise around Britain, the best of the weather has followed me. Now that I am approaching London I note from your paper that the weather will improve.

Have I saved the Olympics

Week 11- Tuesday - Woolverstone

It is official, my Mom is amazing!

Her week on the boat covered the longest distance and some of the most uncomfortable sailing conditions that we have experienced so far.

She not only coped with all of this, but she did all of the cooking and actually enjoyed herself too!

Believe me, not many people my age or even Tom's age would have shown the resilience that she did.

OK Mom, you can stop blushing now!

It was sad to say goodbye to her yesterday in Ipswich at the railway station.

Tom and I then did our shopping and back to the boat for a 3 film Iron Man extravaganza!

This was interspersed by a 20 minute muddy walk to Pin Mill and the Butt and Oyster Pub.

It is a lovely old pub, next to the river and overlooking some moored Thames barges. Great atmosphere, real ale and food.

Not sure about the plans today - strong winds forecast here.

Mom's Farewell

Mom here:

Spent my last night on the boat in the comfort of the marina.

Had a great time with my son and Grandson- even though they did not treat me with the respect that the matriarch of the family deserves!

Spent a lot of time in the galley which took me back to my camping days. At least you can stand while washing up on the boat, unlike in a tent.

I shan't worry anymore about Andrew being at sea, because now I know that he has a least a vague idea of what he is doing!

I have really enjoyed myself. Good luck with the rest of the trip and look forward to seeing you again September.

Week 11 - Monday - Woolverstone

The last trip from Wells to Woolverstone was easily the longest leg so far.

We did 104 miles in 22 hours, helped by a strong wind from the West; so we sailed for much of the time.

Poor Mom was confined to her cabin overnight and again suffered the washing machine affect of being bounced around for 8 hours!

She emerged tired but happy into the daylight, as we approached the River Orwell; amazing how she can cope with the discomfort and still enjoy herself.

We arrived at the Felixstowe/Harwich entrance as 100's of yachts emerged for a Sunday morning regatta. These were interspersed with huge container ships. We were the only boat going up the river against this tide of vessels, so navigation was exciting!.

As we motored up river to Woolverston, the flood of yachts coming down increased. There must be thousands of boats moored in this area - a scale that is unbelievable to us poor Northerners!

Tom's policy is to wave at every boat, and then rate the quality of the returned wave and smile.

The standard sailors wave is a raised open hand (no real sideways motion); a bit like a 'high five' across the water!

At many points Tom had to double wave, as we passed between boats.

In all these hundreds of boats, there was only one refusal to wave back. An old naval type sporting a Blue Ensign stood firm, arms folded, glaring at us but refusing to acknowledge our existence. Tom was tempted to give him the 'Inbetweeners' wave, but was too polite!

It took 2 hours to get up the river and moor in the Woolverstone Marina.

This is a lovely place, with fantastic facilities on site and is very well run.

I can honestly say that the showers are the best in Britain (so far)!

Weather looking dodgy for a few days, so we will be sightseeing for a while I think.

Week 11 - Sunday - River Orwell

Just arrived at Wolverstone Marina on the River Orwell after a 22 hour sail!

We were seen off from Wells yesterday by Chris and Lisa (it seems like a million years ago!)

It was great so see them and they kindly bought us a large container of water. This was following mom's complaints about the water here. It is impossible to make a decent cup of tea with it. No doubt that Manchester and birmingham water is best!

They helped us get off the mooring and then ran a mile to also meet us as we passed the beach. Impressive.

The plan was Lowestoft (55 miles) but somehow we were in the groove and carried on to the River Orwell (105 miles later!)

Loads more to tell but food and sleep first.

Week 11 - Saturday - Wells Next The Sea

Wells is a lovely place, with a great harbour and friendly people, but blimey......it was a scary place to get into yesterday.

The entrance all the way up to the harbour is very sandy and shallow.

The waves were breaking all the way around the entrance as the Harbour Master guided us in. It was a real roller coaster ride, with side on waves. I was struggling to keep the boat straight and within the channel.

Once past this section the fright continues due to the shallow depths. Not helped by hearing locals on the radio who had run aground!

The photo does not show it, but at this point we were 15 metres from the beach.

At one point my depth guage hit a new low of under 4 feet! I thought that we ran aground when it reached 4 foot 6.

However the chap guiding us in did a great job and after 40 buttock clenching minutes, we arrived safely.

Off to Lowestoft today/tonight - if I can pluck up the courage to leave!

Sunset / Sunrise

Sunset over Grimsby and Sunrise over the North Sea (opposite Skegness).

Life does not get more romantic than that!

Week 10 - Friday - Wells Next The Sea

We sailed down the Humber yesterday and anchored near to the mouth, to wait for the tide.

After food, we all went to bed until our departure time of midnight.

As we were sailing overnight, I tested the navigation lights before going to sleep.

Tom and I got up at 23:30 to pull up the anchor. I turned on the nav. lights and guess what......the red/green did not work!

So with the boat moving up and down, in pitch black and anxious about making our tight schedule- I took the light apart and put in a new bulb. Hey presto - it worked!

Anchor up, Tom back to bed until his watch; I set off into the blackness.

Sailing at night is an act of faith. The GPS shows you where the buoys are but the Humber has hundreds, flashing away like Christmas! You are also unable to see anything in the water, so you just hope that you miss all the lobster pots (Peter J knows how hard that is!).

However after the abject terror passes, you soon settle into it and all is fine.

Tom and I split 2 hour watches between us and after 12 hours we are now anchored outside Wells Next The Sea, waiting for the Harbour Master to guide us in.

Poor Mom was confined to her cabin, being tossed around by the rough weather and unable to escape as it was so hard to stand upright!

However she has emerged now and enjoying seeing the daylight.

Off to Lowestoft tomorrow if the weather is ok.

The Deep

We walked to The Deep yesterday, which is the world's only 'Submarium'

It was very good - lots of fish and conservation things - but we never did find out what a 'Submarium' actually is!

Here is a picture of the ugliest fish that we could find!

On the way there i was transported back to my childhood - Mom trying to hold my hand as we crossed each road!

Week 10 - Thursday - Hull

Had a good time in Hull yesterday, including a visit to the Deep - which is a large and impressive aquarium.

Saw some of the old town last night, including the famous Ye Olde White Hart pub.

We liked it here and they even have a street named after us!

Back down the Humber today and anchor back at Spurn Head. Then hopefully off to Wells Next To The Sea to arrive tomorrow lunchtime.

Week 10 - Wednesday - Hull

To be fair to Hull, we did not arrive here in the best weather to really appreciate it's beauty! However I must say that it looks a nice city and lots of amenities nearby.

We only had to walk 100 yards to the cinema to watch Spiderman (Tom/me) and Snow White (Mom) and 50 yards back to an Italian!

It was graduation day and town was full of very smartly dressed parents proudly accompanying their equally smart child. The restaurant was full of these well attired people, so we felt a little out of place in our boat Scruffs!

We let Mom go to the showers on her own this morning, after practicing how to get back through the gate. However I forgot to tell her that you need to push a button to exit the toilets, so she was stuck there until a handsome sailor let her out! (tell Katie and Abs that she may have found her toy boy after all!)

The weather is closing in again, so we decided to head here to wait for a day or so.

The next part of the trip is complicated, with very few safe ports - so getting it right is proving tricky. Maybe Grimsby tomorrow.

That damned safety light!

Anyone who has been on the boat so far will be familiar with the scene as portrayed by this photo!

As part of the safety equipment there is a floating safety light attached to the horseshoe at the back of the boat.

It dangles just above the cleat where the rear mooring line is attached. Every week - usually in the middle of a critical or hectic mooring operation - it gets knocked into the water.

Fortunately it floats and is tied on to the boat, so is easily recovered.

But as an annoyance, it ranks only second to the smoke alarm.

Hope it brings back fond memories to fellow shipmates.

In Hull now and off to see Spiderman. Weather closing in, so may be here for a few days.

Week 10 - Tuesday - Spurn Head

I made a mistake yesterday and underestimated how long it would take to get to Spurn Head.

Apparently I told Mom that we would be here by 15:00, but we actually arrived at 19:00 - a 12 hour day!

We had some excitement on the way after we were chased by a boat. We thought that they might be pirates after our huge stash of food! Turns out we were about to enter a restricted area and they were shooing us away.

We anchored around Spurn head, ate and went to bed. It was fairly windy and water was slapping against the side of the boat. Mom woke me at 03:30 to say that the slapping had stopped and were we floating away? I checked the anchor, all was fine; it was just that the wind had died down,

She is the only person so far to worry that there is lack of noise!

Plans are still in flux, up the Humber to Hull today.

Week 10 - Monday - Flamborough Head

Just round Flamborough Head, on the way to the river Humber.

Tom woke up long enough to let go the lines and bring in the fenders, before a nice 2 hour additional snooze!

His turn to steer now while I catch 40 winks.

Mom is fine; wearing about 50 layers - she can hardly move!

No wind again but still a heavy, uncomfortable swell is running.

The next parts of the trip are tricky because of the lack of easy to use ports. Not sure of plans. Will see what happens when we get to the Humber.

Week 10 - Sunday - Scarborough

Just arrived in Scarborough after a very misty trip.

This is the first leg with my Mum, and i have never been so indecisive about whether to set off or not!

In the end Tom decided - "lets go, I want to be there in time to watch the Grand Prix!"

Visibility was down to .5 miles, so we did not see much of the coast. There was a big swell running but no wind. Mom looked worried and got fed up with me asking if she was ok. Apparently she always looks worried, even though she isn't, so I will stop asking in the future!

Leaving early was a shock for Tom - as he has not seen the morning for at least 2 years! Do not worry though, he managed to catch a couple of hours extra kip while the old man steered!

We did not have breakfast, so decided to eat when we arrived at 10:30. Mom was totally confused as she has a rigid food routine at home. She could not decide whether to have her breakfast, mid morning snack or lunch!

Off now to find a pub with the tennis and grand prix on.

Week 10 - Saturday - Road to Whitby

On the way back to the boat this morning - travelling light!

Tom has got his beer, so he is happy.

Week 9 - Friday - Getting Ready

Today is all about collecting together the clothes and things that I brought home. They have been strewn over the house, so I suspect that Vanessa will be glad to see the back of me.

We are meeting my Mum in Whitby tomorrow , then hopefully setting off on Sunday. However the weather looks pretty foul for the next week!

Currently sitting in the launderette drying my boat cushions. I tried to dry them at home, but have failed and one of them has taken on a distinct smell of cheese!

Shopping this afternoon with Abs, but not before we have tried out the new all you can eat Chinese buffet in Altrincham!

P.S. This has to be the poshest launderette in Britain. Just see a sign that says " no washing horse blankets in this launderette!"

Week 9 - Thursday - Fame at Last

Tom, Peter and I are all keen listeners of podcasts and specifically the Simon Mayo / Mark Kermode Film Reviews on Radio 5 Live.

I brought a large number of podcasts with me on the trip and have continued to download them.

However for some reason I have not found time to listen to any of them. Not sure why, but time seems to pass quickly and I am always busy sorting out boat stuff or sitting chilling with my ship mates, boring them with my repeated anecdotes!

The other thing with me is that I am not very good at taking hints! I suspect that it is a combination of having poor hearing, not listening and often being in a world of my own.

It started first with Peter, who told me several times and in a text, that I would really enjoy the Film Review podcast from the 18th May. It was followed by further hints from Vanessa, Tom and Abigail - all referring to the same date.

I sort of  registered it, but carried on with all my boat stuff and as I had not been listening to podcasts anyway, forgot about it.

I finally remembered it on the long leg from Stonehaven to Eyemouth and decided to listen.

About 3 minutes into the podcast, the following words were spoken by Simon:

"This from Peter Johnson. Dear best selling authors - I like that - my friend Andy is sailing around Britain for his - ahem(!) - 50th Birthday. He has invited friends and family.............................."

As usual I was not totally paying attention and my first thought was; what an amazing coincidence, a dedication to someone doing exactly the same thing as me...

I listened with more interest;

 "..........to join him for Legs, a week at a time. He started last week from Pwllheli (Simon Mayo's pronunciation was even worse than mine!) and I am joining him in Kirkudbright..................."

At this point the penny finally dropped - they were talking about me!

Fame at Last!

Many thanks to Peter, and apologies that it took so long for me to listen to it; 20th June to be precise! You can download the podcast yourself if you are interested.

I promise that I will try to listen more in the future; but as Vanessa will tell you, the best hints to me are ones that are written down on a post-it note and placed somewhere that I can't miss.

"I am having my hair cut today, remember to tell me that I look nice!" is the best example ever!

Sewing machine will be out today and I will be repairing the hem of my waterproof jacket, as well as making a new flag for the danbuoy.

Week 9 - Wednesday - silence is golden

There is one thing about the boat that I am not missing...............the smoke alarm!

Every day we cook something on the boat that sets off the alarm.

This happens EVERY day and yet EVERY time we forget to remove the alarm before cooking. Why is that?

There is a similar group amnesia around bringing in the fenders when we leave moorings. Every day one fender always gets left attached.

I now count them as they are brought in (should be 7) to check.

No idea why these things happens......I can only conclude that we are all getting older!!

By the way - toast under the grill sets the alarm off fastest!

Week 9 - Tuesday - Taking care of business

While I have been away, Vanessa has had to keep normal life going, including doing the jobs that I usually do.

It is a sobering thought that she manages to do these as well her usual stuff. Either I don't do much (!) or she is much more efficient than me!

She has however left me a few things to do, possibly to make me still feel useful!

Today's job is clearing the jungle that has grown in the field next to us.

Clothes washing and drying is also in full swing. I introduced Abigail to the delights of the launderette yesterday; washing/drying my foulies and sleeping bag.

I taught her some launderette tips: e.g. Always ask a local for advice (which is the best machine) and use a dryer that is still warm! I have become an expert recently!

Launderette usage is a very sociable experience and I would recommend it to anyone.

Week 9 - Monday - Great News

Great news this morning - I have managed to secure passage up the Thames to St Katharine's Dock.

The Olympics has resulted in a navigation lock down of the Thames from the 15th July onwards. This causes all sorts of issues and I thought that I would have to miss going up to London on the 20th.

However, after a load of calls this morning, I have managed to secure a berth at St Katharine's dock (next to Tower Bridge) and a security pass to get past the Navy on the river!

Can't tell you how happy that makes me. Going up the Tyne was great and I am hoping that going up the Thames will be even better - although much more challenging from a pilotage point of view.

Good news for me but not so easy for Paul and Carol;  as it complicates their travel!
(I'll call you later Paul).