Motor sailedfrom Whitby-Blyth, with my new crew Steve Hassan (RNLI Trainer/Assessor for the West Region).We put into Blyth and what a mad place.A fishing harbour mainly and the YC is the old lightship from Calshot.Showers highly commended and harbour master obviously has harbour rot,he ran away from me and then another guy came running saying'you're too late,the bar's closed,bad timing',then ran away laughing!
Amazing sail from Blyth-Eyemouth,wow!7-8knots at times with the tide in the right place,very tight on the wind but she does it!Sailed even through the Farne isalnds (Lindisfarne,Holy Island) and my crew thought we would would have to motor but a fine reach and she moves lke the swan she is.Sadly,couldn't stop there as it was blowing too much and there's not much shlter in a hooley.
Drank a toast to all the salts after Berwick,with a shot of ginger wine and some ginger cake.Threw some wine and crumbs to Davy Jones!Jenny from Serenity,filmed us,hope to get the photos on this site soon.Bloody syphon valve still leaking.,plus a diesel leak,seems to be the filter.
Can't afford that.Prices around 85-95litre now!
Asc we arrived,greated by the local seals.The wildlife is stunning!Really friendly here and took a long 5 mile hike to StAbb's head yesreday,though nealry got lost a few times,arrived on splendid beaches and then in the little harbour for a fresh local crab roll and a well deserved pot of tea.Got the bus bakc and Pam from Cari (also RB) stepped off!).
Weather forecast rhubarb!NW ,we tried to leave for Arbroath day before yesterday adn we're punching until we nealry stopped,so returned here,with Cari,who'd also tried.
Met a Dutch boat who have a beautifully immaculate ketch,sadly, a fishing boat crunched into them the other evening,whilst a hoody appeared in cari's cockpit.We're all a bit paranoid now,especially when at 0300 this morning,I heard a thump,it was another yacht coming alongside,all's well but we're all a bit jumpy now.
Helped fishermen pull a trwaler along the river to her berth,thought they might need an extra hand!great amusment to all the town's folk.
I wish in the South we'd take more time for each other,everyone here is so calm and friendly,not running around with mobile sand laptops.I love it!Even written some poetry again.Might post it next blog.Love to you allxxxxxxxxxxxxx |
