Its not that we're getting carried away with ourselves, but both SWMBO and I have managed to arrange a 4 week break from work next year.... (thats assuming the economy doesn't keep plumetting, and we get a much longer, but unplanned break!)
If we can coordinate this with the August Bank Holiday weekend, then it means that we've got all of August off work...
Thoughts are that we'll do a 'delivery style' run down to either the Channel Islands or to Brittany, and then spend 2 or 3 weeks exploring a coastline that isn't so familiar to us East Coasters.....
Sounds like fun huh?
Wednesday, 6 May 2009
Tuesday, 5 May 2009
life is grand.....
We'd planned to sail, and sail we most certainly did..... yes it was only our second proper sail of the year, but it was so spectacularly good that it is one of the best bank holiday weekends we've had in several years!
The plan was to head for the Ore for some beach time with the kids.... we'd also planned on meeting up with James for a sundowner, and Bernie and crew were planning on being in the area too...
Tides suggested a late entry into the Ore, so we finally roused ourselves out of bed and cast off at around 11:00..... that usual 'first sail of the season' nervous moment.... a combination of 'will the engine splutter and die 10 yds off the berth' and 'will I remember how to park her in the lock or will I end up sideways' resolved itself in a positive way, with no dramas, and so we set out to sea....
The weather was warm, sunny, and the wind at about 12 to 15kts.... as we were several hours early for a safe entry into the Ore we decided to go the long way round Cork Sands, with a vague plan to head out towards Rough Towers.... it was bloody marvellous... just the right amount of wind for her to be heeled yet not overly so, and making 6 or 7 kts through the water..... I was having a great time, as were the crew, when James called on the VHF..... "sorry not going to make the Ore.... being dragged off to Oman with work in the morning"..... so we had hot weather, but I suspect he'll be having hotter!
A quic crew conflab suggested that as we'd just tacked to clear the final corner of Cork Sands, and were now by utter coincidence heading straight into the Wallet, and were enjoying it so much that we'd just carry on.... and head towards Bradwell or West Mersea and Osea Island or some such.... and what a great sail.... one short dink in the Wallet to clear Clacton, and we flew....
In the meantime, M had been in strategic text message contact with The similarly aged crew of 'Mr Tinkles', who are based at Bradwell, and all was arranged.... arriving a tad early to get into the Bradwell Creek, the wind magically vanished to leave a georgous warm and sunny afternoon.... so we enjoyed a gentle potter at just 1,000rpm up the Blackwater and back for a safe and easy entrance....
I wandered over to Mr T, and was immediately offered a glass of wine.... well I say a glass.... more like a bucket actually.... and that was the evening written off.... a brilliant evening... full of laughter and great company, while the kids, enjoying some company of their own age entertained themselves admirably...
Sunday was a little quiet... a combination of a hangover, plus tidal constrained until mid afternoon (well we could have left at 08:00, but that wasn't feeling like a good idea at the time), saw us napping in the cockpit!
Eventually, we agreed to leave, heading towards Brightlingsea... along the way, Roger had arrived in the marina to go for a sail on his Moody, Sabre... he was just prevaricating when we told him that he had no choice and forced him to join us and Mr T for the trip....
So we had a quick and pleasant run down to Brightlingsea in about 20kts of wind.... it was a tad shallow in places as I cut the corner a tiny bit more than I should... but no problems....
Brightlingsea is really lovely... its quiet, cheap and pretty.... its only failing being that everywhere shuts at 18:00!
So we were forced to get takeaway fish and chips and take them back to Morgana where everyone congregated for a good chin wag... excellent evening...
Monday saw us casting off at 09:00 for the run back to Shotley.... the wind had swung a bit, but only a little.... so we had a reach out of the river Colne, and then a run all the way back down the Wallet... we actually tacked backed down.... well sort of... we did one Gybe half way and just stayed a few degrees off deaddownwnd, so that there wasn't even an accidental gybe risk..... and with about 15kts of true wind, and therefore 10kts apparent, it was easy and relaxing.....
We were in an tied up by 14:00... not the fastest of trips, but not too slow either....
All in all, a really great weekend, that everyone agreed had been one of the better ones in a long while.... made by excellent company and great weather....
Miles logged 60nm
Miles this season 72nm
Miles since this blog started 3,969nm
The plan was to head for the Ore for some beach time with the kids.... we'd also planned on meeting up with James for a sundowner, and Bernie and crew were planning on being in the area too...
Tides suggested a late entry into the Ore, so we finally roused ourselves out of bed and cast off at around 11:00..... that usual 'first sail of the season' nervous moment.... a combination of 'will the engine splutter and die 10 yds off the berth' and 'will I remember how to park her in the lock or will I end up sideways' resolved itself in a positive way, with no dramas, and so we set out to sea....
The weather was warm, sunny, and the wind at about 12 to 15kts.... as we were several hours early for a safe entry into the Ore we decided to go the long way round Cork Sands, with a vague plan to head out towards Rough Towers.... it was bloody marvellous... just the right amount of wind for her to be heeled yet not overly so, and making 6 or 7 kts through the water..... I was having a great time, as were the crew, when James called on the VHF..... "sorry not going to make the Ore.... being dragged off to Oman with work in the morning"..... so we had hot weather, but I suspect he'll be having hotter!
A quic crew conflab suggested that as we'd just tacked to clear the final corner of Cork Sands, and were now by utter coincidence heading straight into the Wallet, and were enjoying it so much that we'd just carry on.... and head towards Bradwell or West Mersea and Osea Island or some such.... and what a great sail.... one short dink in the Wallet to clear Clacton, and we flew....
In the meantime, M had been in strategic text message contact with The similarly aged crew of 'Mr Tinkles', who are based at Bradwell, and all was arranged.... arriving a tad early to get into the Bradwell Creek, the wind magically vanished to leave a georgous warm and sunny afternoon.... so we enjoyed a gentle potter at just 1,000rpm up the Blackwater and back for a safe and easy entrance....
I wandered over to Mr T, and was immediately offered a glass of wine.... well I say a glass.... more like a bucket actually.... and that was the evening written off.... a brilliant evening... full of laughter and great company, while the kids, enjoying some company of their own age entertained themselves admirably...
Sunday was a little quiet... a combination of a hangover, plus tidal constrained until mid afternoon (well we could have left at 08:00, but that wasn't feeling like a good idea at the time), saw us napping in the cockpit!
Eventually, we agreed to leave, heading towards Brightlingsea... along the way, Roger had arrived in the marina to go for a sail on his Moody, Sabre... he was just prevaricating when we told him that he had no choice and forced him to join us and Mr T for the trip....
So we had a quick and pleasant run down to Brightlingsea in about 20kts of wind.... it was a tad shallow in places as I cut the corner a tiny bit more than I should... but no problems....
Brightlingsea is really lovely... its quiet, cheap and pretty.... its only failing being that everywhere shuts at 18:00!
So we were forced to get takeaway fish and chips and take them back to Morgana where everyone congregated for a good chin wag... excellent evening...
Monday saw us casting off at 09:00 for the run back to Shotley.... the wind had swung a bit, but only a little.... so we had a reach out of the river Colne, and then a run all the way back down the Wallet... we actually tacked backed down.... well sort of... we did one Gybe half way and just stayed a few degrees off deaddownwnd, so that there wasn't even an accidental gybe risk..... and with about 15kts of true wind, and therefore 10kts apparent, it was easy and relaxing.....
We were in an tied up by 14:00... not the fastest of trips, but not too slow either....
All in all, a really great weekend, that everyone agreed had been one of the better ones in a long while.... made by excellent company and great weather....
Miles logged 60nm
Miles this season 72nm
Miles since this blog started 3,969nm
Wednesday, 29 April 2009
finally... a sail...
Well, the diaries have coincided, the forecast looks promising.... we're finally going sailing this weekend, come what may!
Also, the bits for the watermaker have arrived, so may try and get that finished this weekend if at any point the weather lets us down.....
can't wait!!!!
Also, the bits for the watermaker have arrived, so may try and get that finished this weekend if at any point the weather lets us down.....
can't wait!!!!
Monday, 20 April 2009
wonderful weekend
This weekend, we had the now annual Fitting up supper (yet again, our contrarian little group refuse to have a 'fitting out' supper)...
So... it was at Shotley again, and 37 people travelled by car, boat, ferry and lord knows what else to arrive...
What a grand weekend it was...
The weather almost played ball.... the sun shone its little heart out, but a combination of a Northerly wind, and it being around 20 kts meant that actually it was pretty cold.....
and so we wimped out of going sailing again.... and instead just meandered around...
well actually, Alan dragged me to the pub at lunch time.... and with a local event on to raise money for the lifeboats, with such entertainment as fire brigade demos of car extractions, a fly past by the local coast guard helo and guest slot form Yachting Monthly's Tom Cunliffe, I managed to remain in the pub until it was time to eat at 20h00... sigh!
An excellent meal with good company....
The next day, it was still a bit breezy and cold, although not as much.... but enough to discourage me from going sailing again... well actually... I was hungover to hell..... but why let the trruth spoil a good story....
We mooched again... and generally just had a thoroughly relaxing and enjoyable weekend...
Grand!
So... it was at Shotley again, and 37 people travelled by car, boat, ferry and lord knows what else to arrive...
What a grand weekend it was...
The weather almost played ball.... the sun shone its little heart out, but a combination of a Northerly wind, and it being around 20 kts meant that actually it was pretty cold.....
and so we wimped out of going sailing again.... and instead just meandered around...
well actually, Alan dragged me to the pub at lunch time.... and with a local event on to raise money for the lifeboats, with such entertainment as fire brigade demos of car extractions, a fly past by the local coast guard helo and guest slot form Yachting Monthly's Tom Cunliffe, I managed to remain in the pub until it was time to eat at 20h00... sigh!
An excellent meal with good company....
The next day, it was still a bit breezy and cold, although not as much.... but enough to discourage me from going sailing again... well actually... I was hungover to hell..... but why let the trruth spoil a good story....
We mooched again... and generally just had a thoroughly relaxing and enjoyable weekend...
Grand!
Thursday, 9 April 2009
Just catching up
No sailing over Easter :(
This was making me very glum, until I saw the weather forecast..... thats's cheered me up a bit.... its not going to be terrible, but not particularly wonderful either...
We've got family commitments, that I can't get out of..... but on the positive side, we are getting them all out of the way nice and early.... and we'll definitely be on the boat next weekend...
With regards to other news.... my bits to finish plumbing in the watermaker haven't arrived yet... after 8 days.... so I mention it in passing to SWMBO, in the earshot of daughter..... "oh yeah.... they called on Tuesday... forgot to mention it" responds daughter !!!!!!!
So I call them, with all the usual thoughts rushing through my head.... "card has been refused", "don't deliver xyz by post", etc etc.... and then tell myself not to be so daft... maybe they just didn't have a bit in stock...
.... the reality..... the poor sods had their stores broken into the day after I placed my order, and every bit of brass in the stores was pinched...... they're nearly back to full stock, and the bits will be with me by Tuesday next week..... which is fine, as I won't be down on the boat before then anyway.....
They were incredibly apologetic on the phone..... and really quite a pleasant company to deal with..... ASAP is their name.... had several positive transactions with them previously too....
Also had to renew the insurance..... that was £330.... ouch..... and then even more ouch.... the bill arrived for the lift out and back in.... £580..... I know they need to make a profit... but crikey... thats a lot of money for less than an hours work..... other bill that arrived was the quarterly electricity bill...... I don't know if there is an error, but it was £143..... it was cold over the winter, and we did leave an electric heater on board, so its entirely possible that its correct..... but i'll be checking!
This was making me very glum, until I saw the weather forecast..... thats's cheered me up a bit.... its not going to be terrible, but not particularly wonderful either...
We've got family commitments, that I can't get out of..... but on the positive side, we are getting them all out of the way nice and early.... and we'll definitely be on the boat next weekend...
With regards to other news.... my bits to finish plumbing in the watermaker haven't arrived yet... after 8 days.... so I mention it in passing to SWMBO, in the earshot of daughter..... "oh yeah.... they called on Tuesday... forgot to mention it" responds daughter !!!!!!!
So I call them, with all the usual thoughts rushing through my head.... "card has been refused", "don't deliver xyz by post", etc etc.... and then tell myself not to be so daft... maybe they just didn't have a bit in stock...
.... the reality..... the poor sods had their stores broken into the day after I placed my order, and every bit of brass in the stores was pinched...... they're nearly back to full stock, and the bits will be with me by Tuesday next week..... which is fine, as I won't be down on the boat before then anyway.....
They were incredibly apologetic on the phone..... and really quite a pleasant company to deal with..... ASAP is their name.... had several positive transactions with them previously too....
Also had to renew the insurance..... that was £330.... ouch..... and then even more ouch.... the bill arrived for the lift out and back in.... £580..... I know they need to make a profit... but crikey... thats a lot of money for less than an hours work..... other bill that arrived was the quarterly electricity bill...... I don't know if there is an error, but it was £143..... it was cold over the winter, and we did leave an electric heater on board, so its entirely possible that its correct..... but i'll be checking!
Friday, 3 April 2009
radar arch
I've spent a bit of time designing the radar arch, and checking it for clearance for a Hydrovane...
Firstly, here's the radar arch in all its glory.
Firstly, here's the radar arch in all its glory.
And then, here's the same thing, with the clearances for the Hydrovane layed on.... this is based upon using the 'stubby' vane, and also the L sized shaft..... I may well get away with an M sized shaft, as this is the suggested option for an Oceanis 393, and the 411 suggests and M or an L.... if I can get away with the M, then I may even be able to get the larger vane on.....
The only things I haven't done are check clearance for the pushpit and backstays (I don't expect the backstays to be a problem).... I'll try and add the pushpit later this evening and see how that works.... I suspect that the worst case is that the horizontal bars may need some adjusting....
You'll notice that i've abandonned the idea of integrating with the pushpit.... its too difficult, primarily as the pushpit mounts at the front to the toe rail, and thus would need reshaping anyway, as this wouldn't be a strong enough mount for the radar arch if it is to carry a tender.
Wednesday, 1 April 2009
plumbing
Last night I ordered all the remaining bits of plumbing neccessary to fit the watermaker..... with a need to be able to divert the intake to sea water, fresh water and pickling solutions... divert the brine out over the side or back into a pickiling solution, and the product into a tank or overboard.... and pull the fresh water from the tank (for flushing) via a carbon filter to remove the chlorine..... and with pipes ranging from 1/2" through 3/4", 7/8", 1" and finally 1 1/2" it was a bit of a mental puzzle!
I think I am there.... a big pile of t pieces, hose tails, L-Port valves and jubilee clips are on there way to me...
If they make it before the weekend, then that will be a job to be done... failing that, then there are family commitments on my time, so no trip to Morgana....
Which will be a pain, as we have a major family birthday party over Easter.... (yes I did grumble at the timing)... so no sailing until 18th April otherwise!
I think I am there.... a big pile of t pieces, hose tails, L-Port valves and jubilee clips are on there way to me...
If they make it before the weekend, then that will be a job to be done... failing that, then there are family commitments on my time, so no trip to Morgana....
Which will be a pain, as we have a major family birthday party over Easter.... (yes I did grumble at the timing)... so no sailing until 18th April otherwise!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)