12th May- 19th
Monday 12th May.
Wind F5, locally 6. Sea state moderate locally rough.
After a huge breakfast (we thought the whole watch was eating but it was just the two of us!), Were taken down to the Marina by minibus. With the forecast as it was we were not too happy about rounding the skerries without local knowledge and so were introduced to Brian who is an ex marine pilot, and is now Coxn of the lifeboat. What he doesn't know about those waters isn't worth knowing. Even gave us a tour of the boat. His recommendation was to stay well inshore about 30 feet from the rocks. We would never have dared to go so close on our own, but he was spot on, as the seas boiled to our left we cruised in an oasis of calm all the way round.
Thank you to him. Even gave us a good donation. Top man.
Focused the mind (and took a lot of water) going over the bar into Liverpool, (me driving this time - thought Ray got all the bad seas!) looking forward to coming back out over that then - not.
After a look at Ellesmere Port and the start of the Manchester ship canal, Liverpool had a nice surprise waiting for us, we have been put up in a hotel courtesy of the Crowne Plaza on the waterfront and right on the Mersey. Double bed each and a power shower - bliss. Were escorted in by Mersey Inshore Rescue in there Jaguar sponsored Rib, what a beast that is, And they are helping with fuel and a berth for the night, thank you again to them. Introduced to Alex McDougall from Mersey Fire and he is taking us out for the night. (Witherspoons of course), about time they sponsored us with all the plugs they are getting!.Mileage 77.2. Total to date 954.
Tuesday 13th
Wind F7. Sea State rough.We were going nowhere today. Too windy and too rough. Mersey Inshore Rescue helped us with met forecasts and a continuing berth for Osprey. They have been great. Dragged kicking and screaming from the luxury of the Crowne Plaza way past checking out time and had a complimentary lunch at headquarters. Then on to Liverpool central Fire station where we have been put up for the night. Spent the afternoon sightseeing and mobile phone shopping - that is 3 phones I have trashed in the last few years by swimming with them in my pocket,….. doh
Found a good Guinness pub and settled in for the evening.Mileage nowt, zero, nothing, zilch. In short, bugger all.
Wednesday 14th
Wind Forecast F5-6, decreasing 1-2, with 2-3 later (allegedly)
Woke up to gentle Guinness fuzzyness and taken out in Pump to fuel cans - even picked up a shout. That all seems a long time ago for both of us.
Spent the morning hanging around the M I R pontoon waiting for the big break but seems like the met office are in wind up mode because it just isn't easing. We have about 100 miles to do to pick up Lancashire and Cumbria before hitting the Isle of Man so by 14:00 had to make another of those hard decisions, took advice from coastguard, rescue and harbour control - and everyone was coming to the same conclusion…….don't do it today. So, are once again staying put. Went round the Maritime museum which is well worth a look, had a bite to eat and then back to the
Thursday 15th
Wind F1-2. Sea state smooth - slight.Broke the 1000 mile barrier today.
Up 05:15 to NO wind and sea like a mirror - perfect. Lee and Fitzi from Inshore Rescue escorted us up the river as we took the photo opportunity. Said our farewells and were able to set cruising speed at a steady 26 knots for the first time since we started. Arrived Fleetwood in record time and picked up a mooring buoy in the harbour to thaw out for a while.
Later, we met up with Brian, Don and Mathew from the Isle of Man who came in to escort us across the Irish Sea and take some action photos in Dons 8 meter diesel Rib - and very nice it is too, if ever there was a boat we could use for this trip it is that one. Jealous, - definitely. The arrival at Douglas was amazing with a fire engine on the jetty, my relatives from the island and Manx radio all waiting for us. Did a further interview and photos for the local paper and set about refueling with petrol provided by a local company - thank you to them. It doesn't seem to have used any more fuel for going fast than it did going slow which is good. We have been lucky enough to be provided with a hotel room again for the night which is luxury, had my first bath for nearly 2 weeks and marveled as the water turned black. Once again in the evening the Manx hospitality came through and we were given a meal in a local restaurant followed by a couple of beers with the Chief Fire Officer.
Back at the Hotel, we popped into the bar for a nightcap to find they had done a collection for us from the people staying there. Absolutely brilliant. Even made us stay up and tell some stories too. All in all a really good day. All this can be so hard but we sure do get to meet some great people.Mileage 102.2. Fuel used 115 litres. Total mileage 1056.
guys at M I R - we are going to go for a 6am start tomorrow. Have been treated to the full $10 tour of the Mersey by night in the Rescue RIB - all 350 HP from twin V6 engines of it. Fantastic.
Mileage - don't even bother to ask about ours, but about 15 in the beast.
Friday 16th May 2003.
Wind F6-7 Sea State rough.
Woke up to horizontal rain which is never a good start. From our window we can see the sea and it is a mass of white horses. Had a phone call during breakfast to say there was a problem with the boat and Danny from Douglas station was on his way. When we got to the harbour poor old Osprey was getting bashed about on the pontoon and the swell had completely filled her up with water. She was so low in the water the only way we could pump her out was to stand on the nose to try and raise the transom a bit. That done, asked the Harbour master what he thought about the weather. Pointing to the 52 foot Halmatic protection boat moored behind us he laughed and said “not even that's going out”. enough said, Isle of Man for the day it is then.
Later we moved Osprey round into the harbour more out of the swell and managed to borrow a couple of fenders to help protect the tubes.
For the last couple of days we have been having intermittent starting problems with the engine which was initially diagnosed as a dodgy starter motor, then, when the Power Trim started playing up too the problem was traced. Brian, who had come over to meet us yesterday traced the problem to a faulty isolator switch on the console and changed it in double quick time. Thank you to him for that, also, his wife for even doing our washing. Brave lady.
After dinner at the Fire Station had a full lap of the TT Circuit with Danny this afternoon in………..a transit van at a non record breaking average speed of about 25 MPH. Although Ray has been here before for the TT, I had always wanted to come, It was good to see all the places that have been made so famous.Mileage, Having a laugh aren't you.
Saturday 17th May 2003.
Wind F5-6. Sea state moderate - rough.
Left the Isle of Man as soon as the tide allowed at about 11:00 with a fine send off from involved there. They really have been great - especially as we overstayed our welcome by a day. The first 30 odd miles were horrible and hard work so it was just a case of slogging it out and then run with the wind on our way north. Slowly it got better and we entered Belfast Lough in relative calm and to fleeting glimpses of our first dolphins. Northern Ireland Fire Brigade and Carrickfurgus Marina had put on a fine welcome for us with representatives from the Brigade, the Mayor, and Mark from the Brigade in his Rib to escort us in. Just one thing was missing - us, we were still bouncing around in the Irish Sea. We arrived after driving straight past Mark, about an hour late and just after everyone had gone home. Sorry, but thank you anyway. Met up with Mark later and took on fuel, then he accompanied us back out into the Lough as we headed back out to Portpatrick. Got a bit lively coming over but landmark arrival as we have now touched all four UK Countries. Later met up with Neil and Nick who are on boat and support for the North, celebrated my birthday a day early and crashed for the night.
Mileage. 109.2. Total 1165.
Sunday 18th May.
Wind F4-5. Sea State moderate becoming smooth.
Ray and I realise that as we are now so far behind schedule it will be impossible for us to stick with our original route and go across the top of Scotland and the outer Islands. We both feel it is far better to close a smaller circle than to run out of leave somewhere on the East coast and have to trailer the boat home. The only way we can do this is to cut up through the Caladonian Canal which will bring us out at Inverness. This isn't what we wanted to do but we have no choice. Hope you all understand. Believe us - we have tried hard.
Phil and Ray.
Left Portpatrick after a late breakfast and headed North again on to our new route. Ray caught the bad drive today with heavy rain, a quartering sea and some big holes to fall in. Changed drivers at the Mull of Kintire and the sea suddenly turned into a millpond. From here on in for the rest of the day the sea was completely flat and the scenery breathtaking. Very strong and weird currents would suddenly catch the boat but after a while we could see them coming and know what to expect. Had a couple more fleeting glimpses of dolphins but they still didn't want to come and play. Eventually even the sun came out. Top day.
Got to Oban about 18.30 to find the waters are so clear it is like being in the med. Were met by Neil on support and Bill Grant from Strathclyde who sorted the station accommodation and even bought us a fish supper. Celebrated my birthday again with Nick and Neil till far too late and crashed on the floor for the night.Mileage 114.2. Total 1279.
Monday 19th May 2003.
Wind F5-6. Sea state moderate. (but we don't care today because we are going up through the canal).
Left Oban about 10:30 and headed off to cover the 30 odd miles to the start of the Caladonian Canal in pouring rain. Everyone is telling us we should have been here 6 weeks ago. Thanks. Scenery still good though. Arrived at Corpach sea lock, and, as we have been supported by British Waterways who own Priory Marina were granted a 50% reduction in transit fees - thank you for that. The locks are all manned and knowing we are on a time schedule, the keepers have been absolutely brilliant at pushing as through at fast as they are able by radioing ahead and pre opening and filling as necessary. It never ceases to amaze us how much, and how helpful people will be to total strangers. We couldn't ask for more. The waters have gradually got more peaty as we progress - must be what makes the whisky taste so good.
Are staying the night at Fort Augustus Fire Station courtesy of Shortie the Sub who met us at the canal. Nick has picked the minibus back up, so, all things being equal, will see nessie in the morning and should be back on the sea by lunch time tomorrow. (hopefully)Mileage 55.1 and 16 locks. Total 1334.
