14 June – Eastbourne to Dover
After a breakfast send off party on the pontoon, we managed still to refuel and leave the lock only 10 minutes after our planned departure time of 1000. Thanks to all who made the trip down to see us off; it was almost a pity to go – we could have had a very nice morning nattering away! Wind and weather turned out to be exactly as forecast; it rained, the wind was on the nose and the sea got lumpier. Other than that it was an uneventful trip. Almost. Suddenly, there was a smell. I thought gas, but we checked everything and it wasn’t. Diesel? Exhaust? Holding tank? Checked everything. No obvious candidates, so don’t know. It lingers still. I suspect this story will run…!
For those interested in the statistics, we did 38.36 miles through the water and 46.70 miles over the ground; a tide gain of 8.34 miles. Our running time was 5 hours and 45 minutes.
16 June
We should by now be in Ramsgate. But the strange smell of which I wrote above turned out to be hydrogen sulphide bursting forth from the starter battery as an out-of-control alternator fried it to bits. So, this morning a nice Australian marine engineer called Tim has confirmed our diagnosis and stripped out the offending bits ready for their replacements which we hope will arrive today.
If so, and we can get away by mid-afternoon, we shall soon be at Ramsgate ready for the run to London tomorrow and back on schedule. If not, we’ll be here a bit longer and the old adage that no plan ever survives contact with reality will become even more evident!
In the meantime, we have not been idle. Colin and I prepared all the rigging for the cruising chute yesterday (we live in hope) and inserted some spacer washers in the boom goose-neck. As usual the mere removal and replacement of two bolts proved to be less than straightforward so it became necessary after this difficult and dangerous work to award ourselves a couple of Fathers’ Day gin and tonics, a large steak and a splendid bottle of wine courtesy of Simon, Jo and Eva.
17 June – Dover to Ramsgate
Still in Dover this morning. Richard and Lorraine joined yesterday, and we had a really nice dinner at the local seafood restaurant. Very much hoping we shall get away today and regain the schedule.
As you will have gathered, dear reader, the bits didn’t arrive yesterday, but they did arrive today. But there was still a problem and we were very grateful to some extremely helpful people who applied generous time and brain power to solving them.
We were eventually underway for Ramsgate at 1630 arriving at 1910. It was not uneventful. The weather was fairly horrid with wind against tide F4/5. This kicked up unpleasant waves in the Gull Channel and Richard did a fine job on the helm, followed by Colin. The Skipper did a much less impressive job of parking (albeit in an F4) with an audience of around 20 Europeans awarding points for my various interesting perambulations. The crew awarded points as well; most of them with a value below zero!
What better end to a long and taxing day than a Cottage Pie of gargantuan proportions? Thank you so much to Simon (Colin’s son), Liz, Tommy and Barney for such a kind, warm and very enjoyable supper – and the hosted shopping trip to Tesco afterwards.
Daily statistics: we did 15.89 miles through the water and 19.96 miles over the ground; a tide gain of 4.11 miles. Our running time was 2 hours and 40 minutes.
18 June – Ramsgate to London
Getting used to days starting iffily and improving steadily thereafter!!
Thanks to Raymarine’s unfathomable software, the route wouldn’t transfer from the computer to the chartplotter. So, Colin and I had to “mandraulically” transfer it by calling over the waypoints. Problem later partially solved by Richard who suggested updating the soft ware.
Colin then did the engine checks. Loose fanbelt, Stripped nut. Oh dear. Richard to the rescue with a raid on a bleary-eyed chandler just out of bed. And away, only a little late, at 0855.
After a rather damp and gloomy first hour or so, the skies cleared and we enjoyed superb weather and a warp-speed tide all the way to Limehouse, arriving at the marina lock at 1725. We saw the Thames at its best, triffid-like forts, seals on Margate Sand, the magnificent Royal Naval College. The only fly in the ointment is that the wind has remained non-existent or determinedly on the nose since Eastbourne.
Tomorrow, a rest day, some maintenance and a nice supper with Georgie (sorry you can’t make it Allan), Simon and Tanvi.
For the moment, Lorraine is cooking a very nice-smelling chicken dish which we await with mouth watering anticipation.
Daily statistics: we did 68.26 miles through the water and 73.96 miles over the ground; a tide gain of 5.7 miles. Our running time was 8 hours and 30 minutes so we averaged a quite staggering 8.7 Knots!
19 June – In London
Limehouse Marina is delightful. Quiet – and yet really handy for everything. Richard, Lorraine and I visited the Docklands Museum; highly recommended. Colin took a chillout day with book and music. And later, after much Pimm’s had gone west, we had a splendid dinner with Georgie, Allan, Chris and Tanvi. Our table was unsuitably happy and raucous as England were busy losing to Uruguay at the time! Colin and Chris shared something that was alleged to be a steak but looked very much like and entire rib of beef. None was left – we helped with the chips and escargots. Great evening.
20 June – London to Shotley
Time to leave London, a trip none of us will forget quickly. London from the Thames is a quieter, more interesting place with perspectives you simply can’t get on land. Best of the lot? Difficult, but I would say that Wren’s magnificent edifice of Greenwich tops it.
After refuelling from a barge in the shadow of Tower Bridge – and taking a few photos, we set off back down river on the long trip to Shotley (Harwich). Once again, no wind. So we cruised along under engine enjoying the sunshine and the views of the almost unending Maplin Sands. There is something surreal about seals basking on sandbanks in the Thames estuary.
Arrived at Shotley within 4 minutes of the ETA predicted by my Navigation Planner software. Richard most impressed and wants to add it to his collection of gadgets!
Daily statistics: we did 80.06 miles through the water and 83.21 miles over the ground; a tide gain of 3.15 miles. Our running time was 11 hours exactly so we averaged 7.6 knots.
21 June – Shotley to Ipswich
The longest day but one of our shortest passages. Shotley was a nice, quiet marina but a bit isolated and not much in the way of victuals. Our late start – to catch the flood tide – gave us a bit of time to relax. The HMS Ganges Museum (former RN boys’ training base) is alongside – Richard and Lorraine enjoyed their visit.
And then upriver on a very busy Orwell – sailing boats everywhere and some complex manoeuvres to avoid comings-together. The wind was just right for a turn back down river to christen the cruising chute. It went up like a dream after Colin’s assistance in preparing all the rigging – the acceleration was instant and exhilarating. It did not come down like a dream, but we all learned a great deal from the enforced emergency recovery drill! Chute bridle now rerigged on the pontoon to prevent a repeat.
And so finally to Ipswich; a very nice new marina in the heart of the town. Richard’s sister Caroline joined us for Lorraine’s spag-bol with rocket salad and shaved parmesan (must get a grater….) and helped finish the Pimm’s. Richard and Lorriane then disembarked; great crew and a great week; thank you!
Daily statistics: we did 12.36 miles through the water and 13.94 miles over the ground; a tide gain of 1.58 miles. Our running time was 2 hours and 30 minutes – but we did play around with the chute quite a lot!
Overall, we did 237.77 miles on Leg 1 – 7 more Legs to go!
22 June – Ipswich
The end of Leg 1. Lovely lunch today with Colin, Gill, Simon, Liz, little Tommy and friends Duncan and Judith.
