Sails Down

A break in the incessant high winds gave me an opportunity to get the sails off of Watanga. Still a cold grey day, but at least zero winds allowed me to work without danger.  She's in a sorry state, lots of green algie all over the deck areas, probably contributing to the fall I had back before Christmas.

We have had a great deal of rain recently but it shouldn't get inside the hull, I have some serious leak detecting to do before next season.

Not Again !

What a day, 

First was the telephone call telling be my boat was on the move!  Whoa Thats 70 odd knots of wind blowing through the bay and dragging Half a ton of metal across the sea bed.  I needed to get to her to see if she had sustained any damage whilst going past another boat.  Fortunately a RIB from the sailing club was available with several volunteers to help if I needed.

Cutting a long story short I and two others got to the boat and were in the process of relocating on a heavier mooring when disaster struck.   I slipped in my new boots and ended up in a pile on the cockpit floor with my hip dislocated again.  (fourth time)

The RNLI were soon on scene and the situation bought back under control.  I was transferred to Hospital. Friends took my boat to Poole.

https://www.swanagelifeboat.org.uk/launches?launch=2017-12-10-1310-both-boats-swanage-boay

Manchester trip

Not really anything to do with sailing,  but we're off to see Lou's dad this week.

Louises birthday

A day out for Lou's birthday. Shopping in Sturminster Newton.  Then on to the mill but unfortunately it was closed on Wednesdays. On then to Sherbourne Castle for a spot of lunch and a tour round the house and a walk round the grounds. Nice chinese meal in the evening at City Bay View in Poole.

GREGS BIRTHDAY TREAT. A Night at the Dogs

Thanks to Jessica for arranging the evening for Gregs birthday treat. A great night out.

Visit to lukes.

Went to see Luke and Eleanor today. She is growing up fast.

A new phone

Lots of gadgets and camera. Could this be the start of something new.

The adventure begins

An inauspicious start, I'm on gatwick. Hopefully I fly out to Las Palmas tomorrow, Spanish general strikes permitting

Winterising Watanga

The last two week have been filled with getting Watanga ready for winter.

Engine service , water systems emptied,  batteries removed, all soft goods taken off and stored in the dry sails off, rig detuned,  it goes on and on.

On DLA duty today so spent the day in the garden tidying that for the winter.

Watanga rests up for winter

As seasons go this has been a busy one and an expensive one.   Busy in that I have done some 900 miles of sailing.  Thats probably the most I have done in a season,  A first in that I got to North Brittany,  A first that we managed to have a 2 week holiday with Lou dialysing on board.  I crossed the channel twice in a season.
Now that she's hauled ashore I can concentrate on preparing for my next adventure.  Crossing the Atlantic with Graham and Wendy aboard Oystermist.

The Day After

Went down to have a look at the carnage this morning.  It's a sorry sight to see so much damage and the wreckers were out in force taking their pickings.   Lots of seaweed for the compost heap just waiting to be collected.

Mexican Night, Sunday Storm

Highlight of the week was the sailing clubs "Mexican night"   A great laugh and lots of embarrassing photo's if I can get hold of some.!

Well the wind has kicked in and the bay is getting chaotic.   By 1300 there's a small motor cruiser washed up on the public slip by the chippy with a nasty hole in the bottom.  The small boat hire vessels are getting a right pounding and the Coastguard are asking for the ILB to launch to help out.  After getting the crew assembled we find that the sea is too big to launch.  It might be attempted if there were lives at risk, but had to call the coastguard back to say it was untenable. Still the Jetskiers and surfers had a good day!

By 1500 there's boats washing up all over the place. It's almost unbelievable that people risk leaving their boats in such conditions.  

Watanga Move

Spent the morning running Watanga round to Poole Quay.  Despit it being a beautiful day with light winds and sunshine, there some easterly winds punching in tomorrow.  I was going straight to Ridge but they are apparently too busy for me there. I find that a bit surprising but that's what they said.

Removal Men

Today was spent helping Greg move or remove some furniture from his sisters house in Hampstead.  A long day and quite hard work too.

The Arc

The Arc personalised Polo shirts arrived today,  reminds me I've got to get the last fine details sorted out for the trip.

Lifeboat Naming Ceremony

The Phyl and Jack naming ceremony at the Lifeboat station was helped by fantastic weather.  Couldn't have asked for more.

House repaint.

After noticing some of the windows on the west side of the house were in need of repair I have spent the best part of 2 weeks repairing and repainting

I think the light green looks quite good.

First signs of Autumn

Took this first thing this morning. The valley filling up with mist that was gently rolling in off the sea

Back to Blighty

A grey start to today,  a tad misty and quite light winds.  As we progress the winds get fresher and we have a fine crossing.   We stayed with Sorrento until about halfway across the channel then pushed on after getting through the shipping lanes.  Eventually reaching Swanage about 1.5 hours ahead of them.The sun was shining  and we managed to unload everything on Martin Jones's pontoon with the help of Greg and Martin.

When Adrian and Jane arrived I went back down to the club to give them a lift up the hill.

In an unsettled week we had managed to have a great time away.

Next stop Alderney

It time to head back home, but not wanting to do the whole lot in one day we have decided to pit stop overnight at Braye on Alderney.  So an early start again, and as usual it's wind against.   We head off in light winds but a big spring tide under us.  It a beautiful sunrise and wer're belting along,  As we pass the Brehon Tower as expected it gets very lumpy, fortunately this only lasts about 20 minutes and the rest of the sail is very pleasant.  We get the tides spot on and it turns just as we reach the end of Alderney pushing us neatly into the Harbour.

After a spot of lunch  Adrian, Lou and myself go exploring, while Jayne has a nap(too many early mornings).

Last meal of the holiday is to be at a pub/restuarant, then back for an early night ready for the passage home tomorrow.