Sailing Scotland 2008

Welcome to my Passage Diary.  On these pages you will find highlights, with photos, of each leg of my cruise since I left Lymington in April 2008.

Scroll down to see entries of my passages: or use the links to the right (Index) for faster loading a page at a time and to reach all earlier passages.  I am still in the process of restoring photos to a few of my earlier entries.

Photos on this BLOG may be viewed larger by clicking on the photo.  Use the back button on your browser when you want to come back to the post.

I have now returned to Lymington and had a fantastastic welcome on arrival by friends, family and the press.  Click here to see video of my arrival back in Lymington.

I hope my story is of interest to other sailors and might help those considering passages around the UK coast in the future. I hope it might also act as a motivation for those who have a dream, whatever their age, to go for it …. it can be achieved. 

Ray

The number of views made each month on my web site has been increasing throughout the year and exceeded 1000 during the months of July and August 2009.  Total views are now  nearly 19,000 since this new BLOG was started in December 2008.      

Current Location:   Back at my home port of Lymington.

Miles Completed:	2999	Days on board:	Lots
Night Hours:	24	Days on passage:	130
Ports & harbours visited	100	Nights at anchor/mooring buoy:	37
Charity Totals:  *	£4182	Original Goal achieved:   Thank you all  Let’s exceed it!	£3000

*  Gift Aid (Tax reclaim) of £740 will be received by the charities on top of this figure.

Please support me and visit my charity donation sites by clicking on the link of your choice below. Or donations can be made at any Halifax or Bank of Scotland Branch by the usual methods.

                                                                   

                           

I have now added a 2009 Sponsorship Poster that may be downloaded and printed.  Please help promote my challenge and the charities supported by displaying it at your work, club, village or on other public notice boards.

2009 Poster: 2009 poster

2009 Poster that may be personalised to forward to others:2009 poster with personal introduction.

Christine Marie was taken ashore onto hard standing at Lymington Yacht Haven for the winter in October last year to dry out and to complete some work on the rigging and hull.  The mast was de-stepped to make improvements to the visibility of my masthead tri-colour LED navigation lights, insert a sleeve to avoid the problems with cables possibly fouling the main sail track, all running rigging was replaced and a new headsail furling system fitted. 

I fitted an AIS receiver to the navigation equipment, that allows me visibility of large ships on my GPS display, along with an alarm if any are on collision course.  I added an extra loud alarm that will wake the whole ship!     I did add a switch that turns it off, so it can be optional, but it will come in useful when crossing shipping channels, in poor visibility, or when the anchor drag alarm is set. I have had great fun testing it out. I can see ships navigating the shipping lanes in the English Channel 25M away and the alarm regularly goes off as the ferries navigate down river and their course brings them onto collision with me on the hard-standing ashore  !! 

The bad weather in January held up working on the hull and I turned to exploring around my home village with long walks in the country and along the canal, hard work at times in the snow.  I escaped the weather during February and early March with a holiday to Dubai and South Africa. I had a great time in lovely weather.  The trip into the Dubai desert ‘dune bashing’ in a 4×4 was really an experience and had the adrenaline flowing like being out in a force 7 at sea!!  I also managed a tourist trip out on a sailing catamaran off the South Coast of South Africa and took the helm for a while.   :-)   I hope to experiment with videos on this BLOG later this year and have some good clips to add, sailing last year in Christine Marie and from the holiday to Dubai/S Africa.

On return from holiday I was behind with work on the yacht and have been working hard down on the South Coast to complete cleaning and anti-fouling on the hull. Christine Marie is now back in the water and ready to sail.  This year I plan to sail mainly in the Solent, with some trips across channel to France and the Channel Islands. I am looking for crew to join me for short trips out and for longer cruises, so anyone interested please contact me by email.  I am also starting to think of another long adventure, this time down to cruise the Med for a couple of years ….possibly starting next year. 

Sailing Trophy presented by friends on arrival back home.

The alarm went off at 0500 on Friday morning. Brian, Liz and myself hauled ourselves out of our bunks on board Christine Marie and quietly set about getting ready for sea. A quick cup of coffee and we slipped our lines and departed Poole Quay Haven Marina in the dark at 0600 as scheduled. Our departure had been determined by the need to pass Hurst Castle before the strong tidal flow there turned against us at 1015.

Outside of the marina we raised the main sail and navigated out of Poole Harbour, using the engine against a strong flood tide. In the dark, the buoys marking the channel at Poole can sometimes be hard to pick out against the bright shore lights surrounding the harbour. We carefully navigated along the channel, picking out the red flashing port buoys, rounding ‘Aunt Betty’ ECM before heading towards the harbour entrance.  We saw the lights of a large ferry entering the harbour ahead and passed port to port with Brownsea Island Castle on our starboard side.

The chain ferry was stationary just off South Haven Point as we crossed the channel to round Sandbanks to navigate the narrow, shallow, East Looe Channel. I had checked the depth of water to be expected in the channel between 0600 and 0700, 2.5m would give me 1m under my keel. With a swell running this margin was required. The depth was as expected and we passed safely through the channel, setting sail due east towards the green North Head buoy marking the Shingles Bank between the Needles and Hurst Castle.

It was an overcast day with winds F5 from the NE as forecast. Dawn was breaking as we sailed ‘best to wind’, dodging the occasional lobster pot on our track across Poole Bay towards Hengistbury Head.

By 0800 we were off Hengistbury Head and keeping a close eye out to avoid the many lobster pots laid off the coast here. Our course was taking us too far south, heading towards the Shingles Bank, so we tacked back towards the shore at Highcliffe. I telephoned my family, staying with my Mum whose flat at Highcliffe overlooks the sea, and told them we were heading for them! They could see us out at sea, closing the shore, before we tacked to head towards the North Head buoy.

Passing The Needles in the haze.

For a while I thought we were getting tight on time to make the tidal gate at Hurst, the Needles could be seen through the haze as we passed close to the North Head buoy and sailed past Hurst Castle with a strong fair tide still pushing us along.

Sailing past Hurst Castle.

With Brian on the helm and me handling the winches and sails we approached the IOW coast before tacking towards Lymington. As usual in the narrow entrance to the Solent, we passed through some turbulance and Brian managed drentch me with spray as we hit a wave.

We were off Lymington Starting Platform by 1000, too early as I had told family, friends and the press we would arrive at 1130! 

We came onto port tack and headed back across towards the IOW coast. We made several passages between the IOW and Lymington. On one approach to Lymington it was interesting to see one of the new large ferry waiting across the entrance to the harbour, we made one last tack across to the IOW to keep out of its way.

Arriving Lymington Yacht Haven.

At 1115 we furled the head sail and headed down the channel into Lymington Yacht Haven. Dropping the main at the entrance, a few friends and family were on the pontoon near to the entrance waving and taking photographs of our arrival.

As we made our approach to the mooring we passed reporters from the Daily Echo taking photos and a video and then had a great welcome as we came alongside by the family and friends gathered there.

Christine Marie moored back home in Lymington.

A cheer went up as Liz and Brian stepped ashore with the lines and we came to a stop. As we came in I was focused on bringing Christine Marie alongside the mooring. Job done, it was an emotional time for a while as I stepped ashore and greeted those welcoming us home. I felt quite choked for a few moments.

Ray being interviwed by press on return home.

I was then interviewed on board by the Southern Daily Echo who covered my homecoming in their paper and on their website. The link to the video is below.

Lymington Town Sailing Club (LTSC)

The celebrations continued with lunch at the Haven Restaurant and friends, family and crew joined me for a Welcome Home get together at my sailing club (LTSC, Lymington Town Sailing Club) in the evening.

Ray at Welcome Home party.

The club had laid on a lovely surprise buffet, bar and staff for me and my friend Brian presented me with a glass sailing boat trophy marking my cruise 2008-2009. Later in the evening I was able to talk briefly to other members of LTSC who were attending the Cruising Club Dinner in the restaurant above. During the dinner they had held a raffle that collected £150 for my charities. It was really appreciated.

A BIG Thank You to all my friends, family, press and LTSC for the great welcome home. On behalf of the charities and myself thanks to everyone who supported me throughout the duration of my adventure. Donations for the three charities are still coming in and with gift aid look like exceeding £5000.

Thank you all   :-)

Ray

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This video was taken by the Southern Daily Echo who covered my homecoming. Click here

This article appeared in the charity RETHINK supporter news.  Click here:

Babbacombe Bay from the cliffs.

Whilst waiting in Torquay for my friend Brian to join me on the last leg of my cruise, I took the opportunity to visit the area and take some walks ashore. I visited Babbacombe and walked along the cliffs with stunning views across Lyme Bay to Teignmouth in the distance.

Cockington Village.

I also paid a visit along the coast again to Brixham and to the attractive and historic thatched cottages of the ‘Domesday book’ village of Cockington, that has hardly changed through the centuries.

Whilst at Torquay the weather continued to be unsettled with strong winds and occasional gales sweeping down the south and west coasts. But the weather looked set to improve for my last leg back to my home port of Lymington, with high pressure settling across the UK for the week.

But by the time Brian and I set sail for Weymouth the high pressure was drawing in strong winds from the NE along the south coasts, not ideal for our passage, we would be sailing close to the wind and against the swell. I only had a day in hand to complete the passage in time for my scheduled return home to meet friends and family at Lymington. It was a tight schedule, especially as I planned visits to Weymouth and Poole.

We left Torquay on Tuesday 15 September at 0700 with a strong wind warning in place, winds of F5 to F7 forecast, sea slight to moderate, showers or rain, visibility moderate in the rain. Leaving the harbour and setting sail close-hauled to the wind and waves, there was nothing slight about the sea! Seas were at the upper end of moderate and occasionally rough throughout our passage, with regular drenching from the spray as we slammed into the waves. It was going to be a hard passage …..

My passage plan took us due east across Lyme Bay keeping 4 miles offshore of Portland Bill to avoid the ‘Portland Race’, rounding the ECM (East Cardinal Marker) marking the Shambles Bank to our destination at Weymouth. Our departure from Torquay had been timed to give us a fair tide from 1430 as we approached Portland Bill and the strong tides off the headland. I have sailed these waters on many occasions since I started sailing in 2004, taking both the narrow inshore passage or keeping 3 to 4M off to avoid the race. The dangerous race can bee seen clearly as you pass it; it looks like boiling water from a yacht!! With the strong winds I decided the offshore passage was safer in the conditions, although it adds 1 to 2 hours to the passage time.

The weather held fine as we crossed Lyme Bay and made our course ‘best to wind’ eastwards. Fully reefed and with winds blowing a constant F6 or 7 (we recorded 40KN apparent) it was an exhilarating sail, although at times we would be drenched by the spray as we hit into a large wave.

Web Photo of HMS Illustrious Aircraft Carrier

As well as the sailing, we had a little excitement at one point when we heard a ‘security’ message on the VHF radio advising that HMS Illustrious would be carrying out live firing exercises within a radius of 10M.

We could see the aircraft carrier clearly out to sea from us making its maneuvers. I called the coast guard on VHF for clarification and was given contact details for the admiralty firing control. I contacted the control and advised our position and course, they advised that we could continue our passage as the firing targets were to the south of us! We continued to see Illustrious at various times throughout our passage, with helicopters lifting off and returning to the carrier. We would have liked to have taken photos, but we were heeled over and taking a lot of spray …. not the time for cameras.

We were 20M off the coast as we crossed Lyme Bay, not the scenic route! By the time we were approaching Portland Bill continual rain was adding to the spray and we were starting to feel the cold and wet. We were 5M off Portland Bill and had to put in a long tack to ensure we passed to eastwards of the Shambles Bank and make our way towards Portland. Dusk was falling and our masthead lights were turned on as we sailed briskly past Portland Harbour, the venue for the 2012 Olympics, to arrive off Weymouth in the dark.

Picking up the leading lights we entered the harbour and by 2130 we were rafted alongside a 48 ft German Yacht that had made the passage from Dartmouth to Weymouth during the day. We had sailed hard for 66M, taking us 13 hours from when we left Torquay. A warm drink and light snack on-board, all we wanted then was our bunks!!

Sunrise at Weymouth

The next morning we awoke to a sunny, breezy day. After breakfast we relaxed in the sun whilst we dried out our sailing gear and prepared for our passage to Poole later in the day. The forecast was still for strong winds from the NE, similar to the day before, but at least no rain was forecast.

The harbour master at Weymouth advised Brian that it was fairly rough outside the harbour in Weymouth Bay and that we could return to raft for the evening if we found it too uncomfortable outside of the harbour. We watched a yacht similar in size to Christine Marie leave the harbour with her family crew and shortly later come back in to shelter. It was not going to be a comfortable dry sail, but at least the sun was shining!!

Brian at the helm crossing Weymouth Bay, Jurassic Coast in background.

After lunch we slipped our lines and headed out of Weymouth harbour into choppy seas. Fully reefed we set sail along the Jurassic Coast to pass to seaward of the yellow buoys marking the outer limits of the Lulworth firing ranges.

No firing was reported on the day we sailed, but our passage avoided the worst of the turbulence off St Alban’s Head.

Brian soaked by spray and wiping salt water from his eyes!

We had to sail past St Alban’s Head and well out to sea before we could tack to clear Anvil Point and on to Old Harry. The seas became rougher off the headlands and we were drenched by spray on several occasions. Our starboard tack took us towards Peveril Point and its ledge near Swanage, so we put in another tack taking us slowly away from the coast.

I must admit I was loving the sailing. In F6/7 winds Christine Marie was sailing briskly, heeled right over, but under full control and light on the helm. I was relaxed and loving it; I could have stayed out all night!! The sun was getting low in the sky and Brian brought me back down to earth! ‘You must be B***** mad’, he said, dripping from the spray.

Sunset over Brownsea Island, Poole Harbour.

As skipper I considered the bigger picture. The sun was setting and it was getting colder. We did not want to arrive late into harbour again. The head sail was furled and we motor sailed close on the wind the last few miles to round Old Harry and to enter Poole Harbour. As we navigated the Swash Channel we were rewarded with a spectacular sunset over Brownsea Island.  

We arrived at Poole Quay Haven by 2030, now dark, and moored on a vacant pontoon. Yacht secured, we quickly changed from our wet sailing gear and made a hasty walk along Poole Quay to relax over an enjoyable and very welcome meal at Da Vinci’s Italian Restaurant.

We had endured two days of very hard sailing in strong winds and choppy seas, but we awoke to a sunny Thursday, with a spare day to relax in Poole before a very early departure to Lymington scheduled the following day. Our friend and RYA instructor, Noel, joined us for lunch on Christine Marie and Liz joined Brian and I on board later in the afternoon.

Brian enjoying his lobster at Corkers.

In the evening Brian treated Liz and I to a meal at Corkers, a favourite seafood restaurant in Poole. We celebrated with champagne, followed by delicious lobster and a good bottle of wine recommended by the restaurant owner. Lobster pots can be a real problem for sailors! ….. but then, many of us really enjoy the lobsters they catch. Perhaps the answer lies in better marking. of the pots and underwater lines

A great evening, we all retired early for our 5 am alarm call the following morning!

Yes, I know, I’m going backwards!!

The River Dart towards Dittisham

Marion and I left Kingswear on the River Dart on Monday and made a trip up river to moor off Dittisham. We caught the water taxi to visit the Ferry Boat Inn for a very enjoyable pub lunch. To call the water taxi after lunch I ‘donged’ the church type bell alongside the quay.

Leaving Dartmouth

Back on board we made passage back down the River Dart, where the Regatta rowing races were in full swing, to exit the river and set sail for Salcombe. We had a brisk F4 from the SW, so headed out to sea close-hauled on starboard tack to clear the Skerries bank, Start Point and Prawle Pt.

Marion at the helm, Start Bay.

It was a lively sail and Marion enjoyed getting the feel of Christine Marie’s helm again.

We passed a tall ship making its way towards the Dartmouth Regatta, a lovely sight sailing with full sails set before the following wind. 

Passing Tall Ship, Start Bay

Several miles out to sea we put in a tack and set course for Salcombe. We had to dodge several lobster pots on passage that only appeared close to as they were part submerged and hidden by the tide and swell. I think getting caught on one is enough for this cruise!! … although these had lines that appeared to go straight down!! . 

The Bag, Salcombe

It was a great sail and by 1900 we were navigating the entrance to the harbour and passing South Sands where my friends Brian and Barbara were staying on holiday. By 1930 we had rafted up alongside another yacht on the visitors pontoon in ‘The Bag’.  

Salcombe from the town.

Tuesday morning we met up with Brian and Barbara for a stroll round Salcombe, the ladies dragging Brian and I into clothes shops on route to the pubs!

Brian, Barbara and Marion at Small's Cove, Salcombe.

We had lunch at the Ferry Inn overlooking the harbour before catching the ferry across to Small’s Cove for a walk along the beach towards Southpool Creek in the sun. 

After dinner coffee, South Beach, Salcombe.

In the evening Marion and I visited Brian and Barbara at their hotel at South Sounds for a lovely dinner. The hotel overlooks South Sands beach and the entrance to Salcombe harbour, a lovely setting to end the day.

We caught the last water taxi back to the yacht at 2300. Winds were starting to increase as a depression approached. As I write this Wednesday morning 26 August, we are sitting out a F8 gale on the yacht.

Thurs 29 August: Wednesday was not pleasant with squally F7/8 winds and rain. We spent the day on board Christine Marie with two other yachts also sheltering from the storm rafted alongside us. I had planned to visit the River Yealme but the forecast was for strong F7/8 winds later in the day and for Friday. I decided early in the morning that the River Yealme was not on for this trip and that I would make for Brixham before the bad weather came in again.

Departed the pontoon, Marion and I left Salcombe at 0800 two hours before high water with plenty of water across the bar and with a fair tide round Start Pt and Berry head until 1400. Wind was from the SW and F2/3 when we left. With full sails we were ‘goose-winged’ and sailing slowly at 3kn as we passed Prawle Point, Start Point and to seaward of The Skerries. Crossing Start Bay I decided to try my hand at fishing again and set a trawl astern of Christine Marie. It was not long before I caught a mackerel, the second in 2-years and both in Start Bay!

The third crew member.

It was a lovely sail in the sun as we headed for Berry Head in the distance. I did seem to have gained an extra crew member who kept appearing around the yacht keeping an eye on things! 

Rounding Berry Head

As we closed Berry Head on the last of the fair tide the wind started to increase and to veer to the west. We reefed the main and headsail in good time as we were soon sailing briskly in F5 increasing winds as we rounded Berry Head and made our final approach to Brixham Harbour.

Night falls on Brixham Harbour

By 1430 we were moored in Brixham Marina and enjoying the mackerel I caught with salad for lunch with a glass of wine.

By evening the bad weather had arrived with the forecast strong winds, poor visibility and rain. Marion and I visited Brixham and enjoyed a meal at the ‘Poop Deck’ fish restaurant on the quay. 

The strong winds are forecast to continue through Friday into early Saturday, so we will make the short passage across to Torquay Saturday afternoon.

Saturday 29 August:

Brixham Marina

A lovely day with good wind from the SW. Marion and I left in the morning to sail the short passage across to Torquay.

We decided to make passage for Babacombe, where we would anchor for lunch. 

Marion with the Ore Stone and Thatcher's Rock in the background.

We had a great sail, passing to seaward of Thatcher’s Rock, The Ore Stone and Tucker’s Rock. These brought back memories as I used to fish off them regularly in the Fairline Vixan motor cruiser I kept moored at Torquay Marina for several years. 

Babacombe Bay

Passing Anstey’s Cove, we sailed into Babacombe Bay and dropped anchor in sight of the cliff railway in 5m of water. It was a glorious day and we relaxed with a meal until late afternoon. 

Babacombe from anchor in the bay.

We made the sail back round to Torquay in the evening. Passing between The Ore Stone and Thatcher’s Rock we were close hauled and having a lively sail in the F4 wind. 

Approaching under sail to pass between The Ore Stone and Thatcher's Rock.

We made several long tacks to round the coast, arriving at the marina by 1900. A great day to finish this leg of my cruise. My thanks to Marion for helping me on this section of my cruise. 

Approaching Torquay Harbour entrance.

I have now booked my sailing club (Lymington Town Sailing Club) for my welcome home get together in the evening Friday 18 September. Friends, family, charities, press and all those who have sailed with me on my 2-year adventure are welcome to meet me on arrival and to join us in the evening at the sailing club. I will send out more details by email later.  

Lending a helping hand.

By the time I arrive back in Lymington I will have sailed over 3000M, visited over 100 ports and harbours around the UK and Ireland on my 2-year figure of eight, circumnavigation.

A great adventure, fulfilling the dream I set out to achieve when I started sailing in early 2004.

 1 September 2009:  With time on my hands here in Torquay I have started to relax and to catch up on jobs around the yacht, adding photos to my recent BLOG entries and making contact with the many amateur radio stations that have supported me throughout my cruise.

I have started to walk daily to get in shape for my dancing that starts the week after I return to Lymington, 2 hours of ballroom dancing is like a good workout at the gym ….. but more fun. 

Ground floor flat I owned in Torquay.

Yesterday I walked around Torquay, visiting the location of a holiday flat I owned here between 1987 and 1995.  I lived and worked in Bristol at the time, but had my small fast motor yacht moored here at Torquay Marina.  Mark and Darren were born in the early years and enjoyed the seaside visits and firework displays in the bay during our frequent stays at the flat.

New Bridge at Torquay Harbour.

I walked along the seafront, passing the new bridge that now spans the harbour since I last visited, walking through the attractively planted gardens along the seafront. 

Torquay seafront gardens.

I was looking forward to a walk through the cliff gardens that are usually lit with colourful lights at night, but extensive work is being carried out to make the cliffs safe from rock falls and they are enclosed with protective fences at the moment. 

A pity as the lit walkway is a significant attraction for Torquay, but when work is complete and the gardens replanted, the walk through there should be lovely.