Departed Lowestoft around 20.30 and sailed for first few hours towrds the Wash,then the wind heade us again ,so put on the donkey (aka Delilah),which lasted the next 20 hours!
Woke when mate (Chris Price) was called up by gas field, asked us to steer 20degrees to port. He did,for 1/2 hour, then went back on course.'OY!' go back to port they called,quite jovially.Thnak goodness they could see us on radar!
Saw our first Puffins and Guillemots,off Flamborough Head.Apparently Fulmars also nest there.Lovely to see so much wildlife.The Guillemotsy were bobbing floating around and flying around usin flocks of about a dozen birds.When the sunset came this enhanced the evening into a magcial spectacle.The beauty of having a boat coming to light!
Tentively approached Whitby before dawn.Medieval looking harbour and entrance.Luckily it was calm and fairly clear.However,couldn't find leading light, until the next day on a walk uphill to the ruined Abbey.On the steps up was an old street lamp with a piece of red plastic on the seaward side!, found pontoon at YC,no way ashore.Took a shot of ginger wine,then heard that bridge was about to open,except it got stuck and we had to reverse and stand off.
Moored up alongside in marina,which is just a few floating pontoons in town.
Next day the town was transformed into a hive of activity and wonder.The walk to the Abbey (Easter was declared by the Abbess St.Hilda from here),the view of the moors and the sea from the Cliffs,stunning!
People so friendly and helful and the best fish and chips (so they say and we agreed) in the world,at the Magpie café.
Today in a café drinking ral English tea ,from a pot, in a china cup we discussed the fact that French fisherman are coming here and not only cathcing 'our' fish but selling them. Fishermen are planning a blockade,I chat with locals and we think the peole should protest.This is probaly one of our last industries.Our fisherman can't even reach their quotoas and the French are selling undersized fish to us!Now the price of fuel has caused them to suffer more.The other day they poured diesel on the French catch.
On another note Chris ,my cre wleft today and one of my dear friends (Annette) arrived with her cousins)Had a fab time with more Magpie café fish.
Everything is slow paced ,traditional and friendly here.Far removed from London.Brighton,or any other city in the South.
Captain Cook also had Endeavour built here and Whitby was a key whaling town.I've been told that there are humpbacks and pilot whales sometimes just a couple of miles offshore.
Went to pub called 'Middle Earth' last night.Never met such a mixed and friendly crowd.One guy had built his ferro-cement boat in SA,sailed it to RIO and back,now it was in Gambia waiting.However,he bult a Gaff rigg which is too short for the boat,which has thereby affected the sailing capability of her and she won't go into wind to well.Should be interesting sailing into currents and wind from Gambia to Whitby!
Saw a seal in the river last night.I wanted to see one so much and finally Chris saw it.He didn't believe they came up this river at first.
Met two more RB boats.We have a flotilla!
Thnaks to everyone for keeping in touch.Miss you all back in Brighton, Tony in US and thanks to all for supporting me love xxxxxxxxxxxxx |
