20th May- 30th May
Tuesday 20th May 2003.
Wind F2 Sea State smooth.
We were lucky yesterday, when Nick pulled up at Fort Augustus he found the trailer hitch bolts had fallen out and the coupling was only hanging on by a thread. We reckon another mile or two and the whole thing would have come off all together which would really have spoilt our day - so, first job this morning was a sortie down to the local garage where it was fixed in double quick time and a sizeable donation received - thank you for that.
Our plan to get away early could still have come together, but one of the two lock keepers had a doctors appointment which meant we were going nowhere for a while. A couple in a boat behind us made a cup off tea and upon asking what we were doing also wrote a generous cheque - fantastic.
Once out onto Loch Ness we got the hammer down and found the engine has really loosened up well now to the tune of a record breaking 36 knots. Someone is going to get a good engine out of this. No sign of Nessie though. We were met at the other end by Beatrice from British Waterways who was doing some publicity photos for their magazine, hazarding a guess at how long it had taken to do the Loch she guessed at about an hour and 20. We reckon about 45 minutes.
A few more locks later we were back out to sea in the rain with the water like a millpond, and made our way to Findhorn up the coast where the engine was to be serviced. Knowing we are on a time schedule, the boatyard there were superb with trailer already hitched to the tractor and an F1 style service in less time than it took us to drink a cup of tea - the gearbox oil was being drained before Ray had even made it out of the boat. We would highly recommend them. They can be found at www.findmar.co.uk , and, they did it for nothing too. Many thanks.
Back out on our way to Lossimouth once again caught fleeting glimpses of Dolphins but that was it. Hope they hurry up and play before its too late. With RAF Kinloss being a Tornado base, and Nimrods flying out of Lossimouth itself, it isn't the quietest place in the world but the welcome was good all the same. We are spending the night at Elgin Fire Station up the road where the crew have given us a fine supper. Will be an early night tonight as we reckon on about 116 miles tomorrow. The forecast is good though for a change so with a bit of luck we may actually arrive somewhere we are scheduled - it will make a nice change!Mileage 68.8 and 11 locks. Total 1402.
Wednesday 21st May.
2003 Wind F1-2. Sea State Smooth.
After a good breakfast at Elgin Fire Station near Lossimouth we were back out onto the water by 9 with the sea flat calm and like a mirror - perfect, we cruised at an effortless 26 knots, and saw another seal just as went round the shoulder of Scotland and headed south - this was to be our third corner done - only one more to go. A pit stop in Aberdeen didn't even see us get off the boat and we fought for a bit of sea room with the oil rig supply boats so we soon pushed out again for Montrose. For the first time ever we ACTUALLY HAD TIME IN HAND - amazing, so celebrated by going on a bit to Arbroath just as one of those horrible short chops blew up. This was Nicks old base from the Marines and was to be a bit of an Nostalgia trip as it has been 5 years since he last saw it. We also met up with Becky again who has come by train to help with support.
We had forgotten to check for water in the hull when the service was done so decided to slip Osprey out for the night. Even better, when we got to the dock, we found a crane from Mackeyboatbuilders@connectfree.co.uk waiting for us - the yard is owned by a retained Sub from the station and he had us sorted and on the trailer in no time at all. Thank you for that. Another bonus was that this also now meant we could fuel in a garage instead of mucking about with jerrycans - a double treat.
It was a big night in Scotland with Celtic in the UAFA Cup final against Porto so we wandered into town for that. Shame about the result though. Later, found the obligatory Witherspoons and had our last whiskys in Scotland. It sure is a fantastic Country, and defiantly one I want to spend more time in.Mileage 128. Fuel Used 139 Litres. Total Miles 1530.
Friday 23rd May.
Wind SW F4-5 occasionally 6. Sea state moderate.
The longest day. After a fine cooked breakfast at Sunderland Central and some major refueling we were back on the water and heading out for Hartlepool Marina where we met Richard Owen Hughes from our fuel sponsor Gulf Oil who joined us for a leg. The Marina were great and had even sorted out press coverage. Top stuff. The place is infamous for hanging a monkey in the 18th century for being a French spy! - different.
Richard had a wet ride across to Whitby but enjoyed it anyway. The Endeavour was in (think it might be its home port) with a big festival in progress. We liked Whitby as a place too.
With all the Hellos and goodbyes it was a late start for the final 60 odd miles to Grimsby with Rebecca on board again and the whole thing was against the wind and head on into the waves. Thought we were never gong to get here. It was about half past 8 before we were able able to lock into the fish dock with stinging eyes and aching limbs. Met up with John and Chris who are taking over from Nick on support and finally got to station about 9. 10 hours on the boat is a long day indeed.Mileage 121.7. Total 1789.
Saturday 24th May
Weather F3-4 sea state slight.
Left Grimsby after refueling, locked out the marina and proceeded up the Humber a lot smoother than the previous day. Turned south to face yet another day of head on winds , for some unknown reason we suddenly had a mill pond and made good use of it, halfway across the wash we stopped and had a picnic - very nice.
About an hour after Ray starts driving hell breaks loose and we start the with the rough stuff again, takes 2 hours to cover about 15 miles. Arrive at Gt Yarmouth and meet up with the crew to re fuel the boat and try to convince Ray to continue to Lowestoft, that done of we go , sea state now subsided slightly it only takes about 45 minutes. Upon arrival at Lowestoft nice surprise for Ray, Mel had turned up to see him.
Topped the boat up with fuel and headed off to the Fire station. Evenings entertainment was provided by John who after declaring he didn't like curry, managed to eat a whole pot of lime pickle by his self.Today's mileage 105.2 Total mileage.1894.
Sunday 25th May 2003.
Wind F 3 or less. Sea State smooth.
After a full cooked breakfast on top of the previous nights excess’s we shoe horned all 6’ 3” of John into a lycra fitting dry suit and set off. The sea was smoother than a whole box full of very smooth things so we tramped happily on at a steady 27 knots. A detour into the coast at Felixstowe to see if Rays dad was in his Caravan drew a blank so we headed back out again for the Crouch dodging and weaving around the various yacht races as we went. Stopped for a photo call of a herd of seals sunbathing on a sandbank and met up with support at Burnham on Crouch at a record breaking and very civilised 3 O Clock. After re fuelling we celebrated our change of fortune several times sitting on the Yacht club terrace before heading for South Woodham Ferrers station for the night. All too tired now to do much we surprised ourselves with an early night and unheard of 8 hours sleep.
The long range forecasts are good so it looks pretty certain the finish will be Portsmouth on Thursday 29th. That is going to seem very strange indeed.Mileage 79.2. Total 1973.
Monday 26th May 2003.
Find F 1-2. Sea State smooth.
Heard some fantastic news this morning. The Bluebell pub in Bedford held a fun day yesterday in aid of the Challenge and have raised in excess of £1000 which is absolutely phenomenal. A huge thank you to them and all concerned from all of us.
Sean from the Joinery in Bedford did today's leg from Burnham on to London with us. His day had started at stupid O Clock in order to catch the train to us in time but he looked remarkably fresh when we picked him up considering. We had left a bucket and details of the Challenge by the boat overnight and ran a sweep on how much would be in it, guesses ranged from the bucket would be nicked to an ambitious £11. Chris won with a spot on guess of £3. Not much but it all helps! The sea was a millpond all the way in and we met up with support at the RNLI station at Tower Bridge. Crew were superb and gave us the full $10 tour but resisted our hints that a blast in the Jet RIB might be fun. Getting out of my dry suit proved to be expensive - some thieving git nicked my favourite (Killer Loop) shades. Bugger.
After, we crammed everyone on to our boat for a Thames tour up as far as LFB headquarters at Lambeth before heading back out through the barrier to Gallions Point where we were to moor up. Arrived just on low water but managed to shimmy in on about 3 feet of water.
After we got sorted at Dowgate station,went for a quick pint with Sean to wash out the salt and got back about 6 hours later. Cant tell you what else happened in the pub because sworn to secrecy but can confirm Nick is defiantly well ard.Mileage 85.3. Total 2059.
Tuesday 27th May. 2003.
Wind Variable F 3 or less. Sea State smooth.
All glad to be leaving London and cant get out quick enough - and we thought Grimsby was grim! - Scotland it isn't. Chris on the boat and the sea like a mirror. We flew ( literally at one point when he got the wake of a boat a bit sideways)! Good mile crunching stuff. Arrived Ramsgate in record time and met up with Nick just after I had to shred a pair of boxers - must remember to check for paper first in future.
Ramsgate Fire station must be one of the oldest in the Country and is nearly on its centenary, a bit different to some of the others we have seen and very nice too.
Think it will be an early night tonight as all a bit tired after last nights quick pint, then it is on to Brighton tomorrow.Mileage 64.9. Total 2124.
Wednesday 28th May 2003.
Wind F 1-2. Sea State smooth - moderate -Smooth.
With Nick on the final crewed leg we left Ramsgate in brilliant sunshine and cruised our way south. It got a bit lumpy approaching and rounding Dover but only in my favourite downwind way which gave me a final?? chance to practice my powering down surf technique, loads of spray and an on / off throttle with that will I or wont I stuff the nose edge to it. Fabulous stuff. Nick was gagging for another go so I handed over and Ray and left him to it, he took about 60 miles and clearly enjoys it as well - could be the right time to start talking him into getting one too!.
Having made such good progress we ended up having jumped the gun a bit at Brighton (our timing doesn't get any better does it) - we got in about 1:45 and they were not expecting us till 3:00. A pump from Hove came down all the same (sorry about your lunch hour) and shortly after the local press, followed by our CFO Paul Fuller from Beds who has supported us all the way. A few beers with him later we made Hove station and met up with Mr Pritchard who is ex Beds but now CFO of East Sussex. He also gave us 50 Litres of fuel - thank you for that.
Evenings entertainment was in the hands of the notorious Dolly Gray who is also ex Beds and an old sparring partner. After declaring about 8 O Clock we were all too tired to do much we ended up leaving Gap nightclub under the arches at about 3 - how does he ALWAYS do that?, and, why does my head always hurt when I wake up?No idea what the mileage was cos I spilt my Tequilla on it.
Thursday 29th May 2003.
Who cares what the weather forecast is because with only 45 miles to go and our families waiting for us we are leaving regardless.
Just Ray and I on the boat today and we both are wrapped up in private thoughts. I took her to Shoreham where we touched for a while and Ray took over for the final leg home. Sea was again like a millpond with a weird haze that made it impossible to see where the sea ended and the the sky began.
Once again our timing was off as we had told everyone we would be in at 2 yet arrived about 12:30 - only this time we couldn't go in early, so, we anchored off one off the forts in about 25 feet of water and chatted.
Eventually, our time did come and so with mixed emotions we headed in. We both had family and friends waiting for us and fantastic to see them it was too. Hugging my two boys and Fiona, plus, seeing my sister and parents bought a real lump to my throat, if there is one good thing to come out of going away for a while - then it must be coming home. A couple of bottles of champagne helped too.
Eventually, we recovered the boat for a final time, said our goodbyes to Nick, Chris and each other, and came home. As much as I am looking forward to it, that is going to take a bit off getting used to again.Total miles 2249.
Epilogue
We have tried to thank as many people as we can through these pages as we go but would like to add the following.
The whole thing would have been nigh on impossible without the support crews who drove over 5500 miles towing a trailer on often difficult roads and in crap weather. They all did it in there own time using there own leave yet asked for nothing in return. Fantastic. Additionally, many many more helped behind the scenes with organising, fundraising, and logistics, giving up both time and space to help. From both of us to you all, we cannot thank you enough.
We have had fantastic support throughout the Country. It was truly humbling to see what people were prepared to do for total strangers. There are many people who helped us with fuel and other support when they really shouldn't’t, and thus cant be named as officially the deed never happened. You all know who you are though and thank you again.
All the sponsor kit performed faultlessly. The Mariner engine never missed a beat, and the Steel developments stainless prop always put the power down well. Garmins 182 C Chart plotter was superb and it would have been a hell of a lot harder and at times worrying without it. Gecko’s helmets were invaluable with so much spray flying, as were the were the Polar Bear dry suits and thermals which always kept us warm and dry. Kelvin Hughes charts made the whole thing possible as did Gulf Oil who were fuel sponsor and the first to believe in us all those months ago. Despite the battering, the Eurocraft tubes and Signcraft stickers look as good as the day we set off. We never got to use the Sartech EPIRB or the Crewsaver life jackets and flares, but it sure was reassuring to know they were there. I have no doubts they would have been faultless too. I'm still using the Tempus laptop I used all along in preference now to my own PC. All of which leaves Ali at MX web design who has all along done this for free, in time I may even forgive him for digitally “enhancing” my nose and the corny captions!. Finally, I would also like to thank the CFO and staff of Bedfordshire and Luton Fire and Rescue for throwing there support so firmly behind us and making the whole thing possible.
Which leaves our families who are the forgotten ones in all this. Without there total support from day one this would never have got off the ground. Fiona and Mel have been solidly behind us all the way with everything we have done, and have sacrificed a lot to help us do it. They have had to support us when we were down and put up with us boring them to death while we were buzzing - Not to mention Fiona looking after Liam and Harry on her own for a month. No doubt our stories will wear a bit thin too!.
Oh, by the way. Polymarine, and RYB Marine both promised a lot but have delivered nothing. Ramsgate were the only marina to charge us berthing, and the engine has loosened up to the extent that it is now some 5 knots faster for the same loads than when we set off!
