27th April till 11th May
Sunday 27th April
Day 1 - Departure day.
Forecast force 6 - 7. Not what we wanted, but decide to go anyway. Booked a passage plan with Solent Coastguard, said our goodbyes, and set off. First stop Cowes, then on to Jersey, Got a taste of what was to come going out through the Needles Channel. We normally cruise at around 24 knots but could only manage 9 or 10 due to the rough seas. After 3 hours contacted coastguard again and revised our ETA from 16 - 17:00 hrs to 22:00 hrs…..Unfortunately this doesn't appear to have got passed on.
Spotted France eventually but had used so much fuel in the rough seas no longer had the range to get to Jersey. A look at the chart showed Alderney 8 miles to our West so with light failing a pit stop was defiantly in order. At first glance Alderney was closed, but a few calls later the locals responded superbly. After a curry and few beers crashed the night at Alderney Fire station - after 8 hours on the roller coaster that is “Osprey”, nothing was going to stop us sleeping!Monday 28th April.
Wind F6-7 occasionally 8. Sea state rough.
Woke up to find the forecast was right - it was defiantly still windy! After a couple of radio interviews it was a quick wander round town and then down to the boat to clear island customs and check it over. Alderny station maintenance engineer lent us some cans to get (cheap) fuel and did the necessary ferrying about. Left 12:15 as it started lashing down. We were surfing - running with the waves this time, which is great fun but slightly hairy. Came off the top of one particularly big mountain and stuffed it big time - swamped boat, stopped engine, mid channel, in a shipping lane = bad move. Rays comment “ I think were in the s**t” seemed pretty much spot on! . Got it all going again and set off at (reduced) speed. Still happened again though!. We laughed later………..
Arrived Weymouth and met up with support, did some running repairs and grabbed a well earned shower.
Mileage so far 159. Total fuel used 180 litres.Tuesday 29th April.
Wind F6-7 Sea state rough.
Weymouth Fire station were superb. After a full English breakfast we were down at the boat for 8:30. Didn't even bother with the forecast - we could tell all we needed by the way the clouds were buzzing us.
Guess what, it was rough. We snapped a bracket on the A frame, broke the aerial off the EPIRB, the Chartplotter and fishfinder packed up, and we used nearly 120 litres to do 90 miles - the boat is getting nearly as knackered as we are! Discretion proved the better part of valour and we abandoned today's second leg in favour of repairs. Devon Fire and Rescue were fantastic, so Dartmouth Fire station is to be our home tonight.
The A frame has been welded, chartplotter and Fishfinder fixed, a new aerial is in the post, and I need some neurofen, a massage, some beer and about 10 hours sleep. I guess 2 out 4 is not bad!…. Oh yes, the forecast is strong winds for the rest of the week.Wednesday 30th April.
Forecast Wind F6-7 occasionally 8. Sea state rough.
With the boat sorted we were back in business. First mishap of the day was before we even got on the water - the only fuel station around had a really steep ramp - unable to raise the engine any more we grounded on the entrance and got stuck. Only way out was to unhitch the boat, stop the traffic and enlist local muscle to help us push. Had to use my foot as a wheel chock, so, first bruise before we even got on the water!
Left Dartmouth approx 11:15 just as the wind was getting up again - this is getting to be a habit! Half way into the leg it got scary (we all were) biggest waves so far piling in with big breaking tops, got caught by one and went down sideways. It stopped being fun for a while so we abandoned Newlyn in favour of Falmouth. Support crew had it all sorted by the time we got there and Red Watch couldn't do enough for us - big thanks to them.
Forecast for tomorrow is up to severe gale force 9………….If anyone has friends in high places please can you have a word!
Today's leg 70 miles. Fuel used 95 Litres.Thursday 1st May.
Wind F7. Sea state rough.
We made it all the way up to Avonmouth today - unfortunately it was in the minibus to pick up a new aerial, as we have had to leave the boat in Falmouth! Forecast for the next few days is wind up to severe gale force 9 and between moderate and very rough seas, so we are taking time out for a few days on the grounds of safety. We are NOT giving up though.
Stopping to let the weather ease was a tough decision to make, as the knock on effect will have implications on everyone involved, but with the days we have had sooner or later we were going to run out of luck.
Long range predictions are that winds will start to ease after the weekend so will try again then.
Thanks for your support, watch this space…………………..Sunday 4th May.
With a more favourable(ish) long range forecast we were back in the van for the long haul down to Falmouth to pick up where we left off. Winds had been steady at over 40 knots in our absence so we had definitely done the right thing. After rewiring the GPS / echo sounder and a few other jobs it was back in at the public slip and a berth for the night at Falmouth marina.
A look at the Metfax was a disappointment - it looked nothing like what we were expecting so after a few beers, set the alarm for 05:30 and crashed.
Monday 5th May
. Wind starting F4, increasing up to F8. Sea state moderate to rough with heavy swell. The mornings call to the coastguard was a bit more promising so we went for it - with the wind as it had been there was always going to be the swell but it was still pretty lumpy so a pit stop in Newlyn was called.
Nearly ran over a basking shark a few miles out, easily as big as the boat, didn't seem to mind us circling for photos while we reassured ourselves that as big as its mouth was, it couldn't harm us, still quickened the pulse as it went under the boat though!. After tying up against the pier, a quick chat decided us to pick up the overnight bags from the support crew and press on to the Isles of Scilly. Ray is becoming a jinx - every time he gets behind the wheel it blows up - and boy did it today. Going to have to ban him. Sea was horrible with lots of spray - it was good to land. Picked up a visitors buoy in the harbour and marveled at the ferry - had so many people on the list made it look about to roll.
Turns out the world Gig racing championships had just finished so everyone was going home. Waiting on the boat to be taken off the mooring took some time - the guy who was picking us up was driving around looking for a BIG RIB - "you haven't come all that way in that have you" The hospitality was second to none, absolutely brilliant, we were ferried about, fed and watered all night. Even fixed the forecast for tomorrow to be good……………
Tuesday 6th May
Up for the forecast, they were right - nothing more than a 4 with slight to moderate seas. Once again the local crew came through for us and sorted breakfast and fuel at the Airport, big thanks again to them. Setting off was a good feeling - we have turned our first corner and the sea didn't have lumps!. On the plane all day for the first time with excellent surfing once we passed Lands End. My faith in RiBing is restored!. Met support, locked into Padstow harbour and refueled.
Harbour master very helpful and has arranged for local Mariner agents to check engine first thing tomorrow to alleviate doubts about the fuel consumption. All in all a good day. Today's total 75.6 miles. Fuel used 95 litres. Total mileage to date 438.6.
Wednesday 7th May
. Wind F3. Sea state slight.
Padstow harbormaster had contacted a Mariner agent to check the engine for us. This he did free of charge and declared a clean bill of health. Left about 11.30 after breakfast and a bowl of cockles ( I can feel all these fried breakfasts going to my love handles already, serious gym work required when we get back)Had a superb days steady 22 knot cruising in the light following winds and calm seas, broken only by the odd play in some overfalls as we found them. As we progressed up the Bristol Channel first Wales was spotted through the haze and then gradually the land closed in from both sides as the water got progressively brown and murkier, Marked contrast between the steep cliffs of Devon and Somerset and the relative flatness of South Wales.. Arrived too early for the Portishead Marina lock so support had sorted a temporary berth in Avonmouth Docks - some of those ships made our boat look nothing more than a fender!. The tidal range is huge here with up to a 14 meter difference so it was serious climbing up through mud encrusted steps to get to the wharf. Once again, the hospitality from Avonmouth Fire station has been fantastic with crew giving there beds for us, beer already cooled, a takeaway (love handle fodder again, plus saw the worlds most drunk man) and a really generous whip to help pay for fuel. Fantastic. Thank you again to them.
After supper , locked the boat into the Marina in the dark, a quick one before last orders, and crashed for the night.
Today's mileage 114Thursday 8th May.
Wind F2-3. Sea state smooth to slight.
Been looking forward to today, for some sad anorak reason have always wanted to go under the severn bridges and today was the day.
Easiest and most relaxing day so far with no spray or lumps. Took loads of photos as we passed the various arches and made the most of the calm. Sheerness harbour didn't inspire us so it was a quick turn around and we headed for Cardiff. Osprey was coming home now as Penarth marina is where Ray and I bought her last year. It is an unusual port where you have to lock into the bay and then again into the marina. Cardiff are being really great and are looking after us with boat and internal fuel. It is good to finish early for a change. It is Milford Haven tomorrow so fingers crossed for the run west. Todays mileage 19.1 + 37.8. Total adjusted miles ( to take into account when the GPS was down 639.
Friday 9th
Wind 5-6 Sea state moderate with a vicious short chop on top of heavy swell.It all started so well, The night watch at Cardiff cooked us a fine breakfast, we were able to fuel the van, Lee from the benevolent fund came down to see us off, and even the sun was shining. After a short interview for the 2 local papers we were off, the marina lock was on free flow so we motored out and hung around outside to wait for the barrage lock to open. Once through that, it was obvious within 5 minutes we were in for a hard day. The chop was only a couple of feet but really close together and jarred every bone in your body, after 45 miles we called a time out and anchored in perfect shelter right on the beach at Oxbridge bay. Walking up to the hotel we were serenaded by a band playing for a local wedding - perfect, after we sat on the beach and waited for the forecast. According to the met the wind was due to ease so we decided to push on . Within half an hour it all went a bit wrong. About a mile off the worm and in the overfalls we were motoring directly west into the sun, I didn't see a huge pile of seaweed and rope just under the water and we went right over it. Made a huge knot around the prop and stopped the engine dead. Not good. Being blown on to the rocks and in 30 meters of water we had to make the call. Swansea coastguard mobilised Port Enyon inshore lifeboat with an ETA of 20 minutes. Eventually we were able to anchor and set about freeing the line. It was too lumpy for one of us to go over the back but we tryed anyway. Managed to free it it just before the lifeboat got to us but decided to ask for an escort to safety. The crew were brilliant, totally professional and obviously highly skilled, even helped us recover the boat. Good p**stakers too, especially when the support vehicle pulled up with Fire and RESCUE written on the side. A sound bunch of nutters.
Went to Swansea Fire station where the watch cooked us a midnight supper.Mileage about 45 and a bit in the lifeboat!
Saturday 10th
Wind F4 building 5. Sea state slight building moderate.We woke up both feeling very low after yesterdays events. Met up with Mark, Rosie and Colin from British Waterways Priory Marina who supplied the engine, and decided to trailer the boat for a re launch at Milford Haven - we had nearly made it there anyway. Rang home to let them know we were OK and kids were asking me to come home too. We both find it hard to motivate ourselves and carry on sometimes. Our necks are raw from the constant chaffing of the dry suits, faces and lips are cracked from the salt.
Felt a bit better to see Osprey back in the water, said goodbye Ali and Ludgie who have been brilliant on support, and, with Mark on board set off in perfect conditions for Aberystwyth. Had a really good day and boy did we need it, (almost) made up for yesterday! Downhill all the way. Saw a seal and a flock of Gulls resting on some driftwood. Made it into harbour just as the wind got up again. Continued our tour of Witherspoons in the evening, and bed about 12.Mileage about 84 (lost bit of paper)
Sunday 11th May 2003.Wind Start F5, Finish F7. Sea state Moderate building Rough
With Aberystwyth fire station right next to the marina, woke up able to hear wind in the rigging of the yachts – defiantly not what we wanted. Harbour master forecast was for a 5 to 6 all day so headed off to Holyhead. First 30 miles were a hard slog in to the wind, middle 25 weren’t to bad, and the last 30 were orrible, Ray and I both managed to swamp it once as we fell in to big holes – thank goodness for elephants trunk bailers, We either seem to spend our time knackered or terrified!.
Arrived Holyhead exhausted, said goodbye to Mark, Colin and Rosie who have been our support for the weekend with grateful thanks – they have been brilliant.
Cooked our (healthy for once) tea on station and settled in for the night, hoping we will wake up to no wind and a calm sea, or are we just dreaming?
Today’s mileage 84.3. Total 875.
