SELENE - CAPTAINS LOG
June 2009 - December 2009
Cruisers Hog Roast at Gins 6/7 June 2009
Julia and I put a single reef in and with a steady F5/6 Easterly cut the engine at Gilkicker and flew to the Beaulieu River entrance. Quite a windy day, but pleasant weather. We picked up a buoy downriver from Gins, and after lunch, John Bird took us ashore with our bikes, and we cycled to Lymington, and after a swift one in the Kings Head, we took in the market, which was still going.
Back aboard for a chill in the cockpit, which was fine if you were out of the wind, and then as John was working the evening, we were ferried ashore again for the Hog Roast. We met new member Adam, and it was great to see Tony and Heather again, with their friends Martin and Abby. We sat next to Rex and Joyce and Bob and Jackie over supper, which was pleasant, and the food was fine apart from the endless queuing.
The forecast for Sunday was dire with rain all day, but it chucked it down in the night, and we awoke to sunshine. In fact as we set off at 0830, we were surprised to have a fantastic sail on a beam reach in the sunshine!
We then headed for Petersfield and enjoyed the food festival, and then back to Woodpeckers for Pimms in the garden. Ed arrived by train, as he was overnighting on his way to Heathrow for his month travelling in Asia. We had a BBQ and watched some tele, before retiring reasonably early, as Ed had to be at Liss Station for 0700!
Legends in Langstone Harbour 13/14 June 2009
I fitted the repaired sprayhood and the replacement course computer on the Saturday morning, and then we went and did all the circles again in the Harbour to set up the new auto-helm - which is now working again!!! Hooray!
We then motored into Langstone Harbour and anchored up with the Legends. In the evening, we all went ashore for a beach BBQ and the girls danced around their handbags.
We had drinks with Kath and Paul aboard Selene and then we all moved to Bacchus for drinks and disco. On Bacchus were Gemma and Lloyd and their friends.
Next morning was bacon butties on the beach provided by the rally hosts David and Helena on Wagtail, and we played rounders. The weather was superb. The event was rounded off with an ensign motor-past. We then motored back to Haslar before the tide turned and got to "the Office" for lunchtime drinks, followed by a relax in the garden at Woodpeckers.
Legends again! 26/27/28 June 2009
We took Friday off work, and Motortech did a major service in the morning, and Julia came down by train and Brompton at lunchtime. We then motored over to Gunwharf where those Legends invited gathered under the Spinnaker Tower to celebrate Mike and Sue's 25th Wedding Anniversary.
The weather was glorious and we had drinks aboard followed by a fantastic evening upstairs in the Tower, which was taken over exclusively for the do.
Saturday, we anchored in Osborne Bay for lunch and then took over the Folly pontoon. We had dinner in the Folly, but had to be off the table by 8pm, so instead of waiting for the dancing, we turned Goose into a party boat complete with the disco lights from Bacchus.
Next day, we stopped at Shepards and had lunch for 18 in the Duke of York, and then back to Haslar. A really great weekend.
Summer Cruise – Channel Islands 9 – 26 July 2009 (305 nautical miles)
Julia and I went down to Selene late on the Wednesday evening and we motored out of Haslar at 0410 on Thursday morning. I was a little late setting off and the wind I expected wasn’t there to give us the extra oomph, and as a result, we didn’t get to Hurst as early as I would have liked and ate tide to the Needles.
After that we settled into motor sailing as there was still very little breeze. A NW 4-5 occ 6 had been forecast but we never saw that and the biggest apparent we saw all day was 17knts W.
Anyway the weather wasn’t too bad, and we made Braye after 14 hours. We took the last visitors buoy – or the first as you go in if you like. We have never seen it so full. We decided against going ashore as we were so far out, and our new cockpit tent – our conservatory, was most acceptable. I cooked supper and we chilled.
Next morning we spent quietly in the conservatory and set off about 1.75 hours before HW Dover to catch the race. It was a beautifully sunny day and the F 2-3 W forecast turned into a wonderful W 5-6 giving us a speedy reach down to Sark. Then the wind died and we again motor sailed into St. Helier. We arrived in really quick time, and just as the gate was about to open, but found ourselves at the back of a queue of 20 boats, so it took another half hour to get in.
We were quickly tied up and off out to supper as I had already booked Casa Mia from Alderney, so we missed Philip of Grumpy Bear who came round to see us. We had a super Italian meal, and it was a great evening.
Saturday morning, we set off into town for the market and some shopping, and we met Philip and Diana on the way back, so they came around for drinks in the conservatory. We had a great afternoon, and somehow I don’t remember the rest of the evening!
Sunday morning, the weather was improving from the grey and rain of Saturday, so we set off on the bikes to St. Aubin and had Sunday Lunch at the Royal Channel Islands Yacht Club which is really lovely. Everyone was extremely friendly, and they all wanted to talk to us. The steward(ess) Eileen and her assistant Andrew were extremely helpful and nice, and an eccentric old gentleman called Ashleigh Kirsch (or Kish ?) told us about the engines on the famous Westward and then drove off in his Model T ford wearing Mr Toad goggles!.
We also met Nigel Philpott, who gave me his card – and it was one of the most interesting I have read – “Director of High Value Residency” for the States of Jersey. We got on very well with him and arranged to see him the next day, as He had to shoot off with his family.
We then cycled out to Corbiere lighthouse via a lovely old railway path. On the way back we stopped in at the club for a swift one, where we ended up chatting to the Commodore Lynne Cook and her husband Chris along with “Irish” Steve – a personal trainer and his girlfriend Barbara and their friend Peter – a lawyer.
The afternoon drifted on into the evening and we ended up having an Italian meal with Chris at a nearby restaurant called the Barca. Lynne never made it and we cycled back in the dark a bit worse for wear!
Monday, the weather improved and we cycled into town for some wine and water and other heavy items – hence the bikes. Nigel Philpott rang and invited us for lunch at the Royal Yacht Hotel which was a lovely outdoor affair in the sun.
We then retired back to a glorious sunny cockpit on Selene (The tent taken down) and we enjoyed Nigel’s company. He was on the phone to the great and the good that he deals with and was off after seeing us to a BBQ with Nigel Mansell ! I then cooked rib-eye steak on the BBQ and we enjoyed a very pleasant evening. Annoyingly though, the clouds came over and so it was grey in the evening.
Tuesday dawned sunny again and after seeing the excellent maritime museum, we cycled off to Gorey where we had lunch at Nigel’s recommendation, at Suma’s where we sat on the balcony looking at the sea and the castle. We cycled back along the coast road and then Nigel popped over to take us to see his lovely motor boat - a Corvette 425 called Amicus. We enjoyed a bottle of wine aboard, and then we chilled in the conservatory and had a supper of crab sandwiches.
Overnight into Wednesday, it was very windy and noisy, but the sun came out about 9 am. We had decided to stay another day after some shopping, we cycled to the yacht club again for lunch. Much quieter than the weekend but still very friendly.
We then cycled to St Brelades and back into St. Aubin, but this time we stopped for a drink in the pub, The Old Court House, and lo and behold, who should come past but Nigel! We chatted to him for a while and then cycled back. We then had a seafood supper on board.
Thursday, the weather was sunny with little wind, and so we motored off to St. Peter Port. Things were beeping as we came out, and we soon realised that we had no compass, so again no auto helm – on a sunny motoring day! To cap it all, whilst we were nearly knocked over by Condor coming in the Jersey Coastguard gave a brand new strong wind warning. I couldn’t make it out due to the noise of Condor, so had to radio the coastguard for details – anyway – it was “soon” meaning at least six hours, which gave us time to get into St. Peter Port.
I turned the autohelm on and off a few times to no avail and then settled to hand steering. After a couple of hours, I tried again, and this time it all came up and worked. This was great as it was a lovely sunny day, and it was nice to relax and let Otto drive. We then completely lost power as we went through a huge patch of weed, and it took some time running forwards and in reverse to clear the weed off the prop, before we could get back up to speed again.
We got safely into harbour, and were lucky enough to get the last finger and just as I finished tidying up and settled down for a beer in the cockpit, the clouds came over and the weather deteriorated as forecast.
We then had a wander around and drinks at the yacht club followed by dinner at the french place Dix-Neuf – a nice bistro.
Friday was a grey and drizzly day which we spent shopping. I bought a new laptop, and we drank in the yacht club and the pub. We didn’t win the meat raffle at the club! The Wifi didn’t work at St Peter Port either except if you went to the office with your laptop! Joke really. But cheaper than paying vodafone £8 a day. We ate in with me cooking a gourmet chicken dinner.
Saturday started sunny, but soon came over all wet and horrible. We had a wander round – saw the hill climb and had lunch safely out of the rain in the conservatory. What a sensible purchase that has turned out to be! Then a siesta as it rained harder. I then cooked sausages and onions and we drank more red wine and continued watching the DVD of Francesco’s Mediterranean voyage in the Black Swan.
Sunday started grey but turned out very sunny and windy. We went to Herm in the morning and came back and had lunch al fresco on the pavement as they had closed the road for Sunday. We were given great service by the girls at the Ship and Crown, and invited one to the boat. We sat on Selene listening to the golf and the Australian girl from Queensland, Tamara arrived with her fried Lauren from Beer (in Dorset). We shared a bottle of wine with them and listened to their exciting plans – both “travelling” and enjoying their freedom.
We then repaired to the Cock and Bull which had a lot of real ales on and watched the play off (Stuart Cink easily beat Tom Watson) and then back to Selene, where Julia prepared Tuna and sweet corn pasta – an old favourite aboard. And of course, another bottle of red and more Francesco DVD! Cherbourg tomorrow, we think.
Monday morning was a lazy affair waiting for enough water over the sill to head for Cherbourg. We were away just after 1500 and had a good trip up to Cherbourg, crabbing across the Alderney race. We saw a French submarine as we came into port, and we found the new pontoons very comfortable and much longer and had a quiet evening watching the stars in the conservatory.
Sadly Tuesday was wet and miserable all day. We did the Carrefour shop and had Moules frites in the rain. It rained so hard, we didn't bother going out in the evening.
Wednesday was the sensible day to go x-channel, and so we set off at a very civilised 0700. We did the perfect "S" curve, east first, then west, then east at the Needles and straight into Berthon where we were booked in. We had mainly SW 4/5/6, and the auto helm coped admirably, until… it failed after nine hours, but as we were at the Needles in 10, and parked after 11 in Lymington, it wasn't so bad - just annoying.
Next morning, Andy from Greenham Regis came round to the boat, and we diagnosed a dead gearbox, which when replaced, sounded better than it has ever done, so it's likely that's been the root of most of the problems - we shall see. It was a sunny but windy day, so our planned lunch at anchor at Hurst went out of the window, and we had drinks in the sun trap at the Kings Head, followed by lunch in the cockpit.
We then motored round to Gins in a very stiff SW 6, and spent a very pleasant evening at Gins. We met Dave and Gemma on Sohar, who were also going to Bembridge the next day.
Next morning after a real downpour, the sun came out and it was very windy again. We had a simply cracking sail down to Bembridge and found that now it was the school holidays, we would have to raft - the first time all holiday. We rafted against quite an old tub with strings, ladders and all sorts making it very difficult to clamber over, and the two guys seemed fairly clueless!
Later on, purely by co-incidence, the harbourmaster put Sohar outside us, and so after lunch we all got together in Selene's cockpit for a Pims afternoon!
Saturday morning was quite pleasant and we got the bikes out. We chatted to Peter Biddick in the office for a while and then cycled to Seaview and the Dell Café along the beach beyond. When we got back we could see that they were preparing for many boats, so we thought we would scarper before the mayhem began.
We only just got away before being buried deep in a raft and had a swift sail back to Haslar where we chilled in the cockpit. We then went over to Gunwharf and ate at la Tasca and when we came back, Aly, Graham, Neal and Jane, who had sailed Green Rival round from Southampton came aboard for conservatory drinks.
Sunday morning, we read the papers in the cockpit and then packed up and went home - via a full de-briefing in the "Office". Good holiday - very disappointed with the weather though.
Keith's 60th Party and a day trip to Cowes 8/9 August 2009
Saturday lunchtime, we enjoyed some sunshine at last at Keith's for his 60th birthday party. Really enjoyable time.
We then went on to Haslar and had drinks with some of our Legend friends, and then later I rang Richard to see where he and Helen were - expecting them to be in Dartmouth or somewhere - only to find they had been delayed on their holiday start and were just coming into Haslar!
I quickly arranged for them to come onto A pontoon, and we enjoyed their company in the conservatory when the sun went down.
Next day, we set off for a day trip to Cowes, where we saw the massed start of the Fastnet race, and then tied up in Shepards Wharf and had lunch on the balcony at the Royal Corinthian YC. Magic - at last some proper sunshine!
We had a lovely trip back and a BBQ back at Woodpeckers to round off the weekend.
RSYC Joint Rally with Royal Corinthian & Royal Naval & Albert 15/16 August 2009
Saturday brought a good SW / W F5, so we motored to about half a mile off Gilkicker and set sail, beating all the way up to Southampton Docks. It drizzled at first and then although grey, cheered up a bit. Good sail though.
The pool had been especially emptied for the rally and so we easily got a finger next to a Fairline from the Royal Southern. We chilled and then had a mini drinks party with Rear Commodore Sailing Gordon and Christine – who often provide us with B&B when we go to Ocean Village by car. Adam and Louise Greig whose boat is in OV, stopped by earlier and we invited then also.
The evening was great and we met some nice people from the other yacht clubs. In fact there were only two from the Royal Corinthian: John & Shirley Thornback who were in the motor vessel Cybaris – an early prototype for the Nelson range. The food at OV wasn’t up to much – lasagne and chips (!) and indeed John Thornback was ill overnight, so he said.
Anyway, we enjoyed the evening and the company, and had late night drinks aboard Cybaris, along with David and Heather from the Royal Southern.
Sunday dawned sunny, and we had a lazy morning and breakfast in the cockpit, then a great sail back. We popped the chute up at the docks and carried that to Fawley, where the wind gusted up to 21 knots and was slightly too tight for the kite, so we dropped that and flew along Lee on Solent at 7.5 knots. Overtaking some bigger boats that had gone past us while we were struggling with the kite.
Great sail, followed by a de-brief at the Office on the way back and a BBQ at Woodpeckers.
Bramble bank cricket match & Emsworth with Neil and Jane 22/23 August 2009
Julia and I got down to Selene about 1730 on Friday, and I fixed the traveller and the loose connection on the compass, and then cooked supper. We then helped a guy who had smashed his knee getting off the Island Packet, looking after him until the ambulance arrived and then after a drink in Landers, Neil and Jane arrived about 2200.
I got up and got the boat out at 0520, and Jane joined me after about 20 minutes. We motored to the Bramble Bank and saw the end of the very short annual cricket match between the Royal Southern and the Island Sailing club. By now Julia and Neil were also up. We then motored to the Emsworth Channel where we picked up a buoy and had breakfast in the cockpit in lovely sunshine.
Soon the water was high enough for us to get into Emsworth Yacht Harbour, where we tied up on the now vacant B pontoon (Tarquin having gone bust). Keith and Lorna came to see us and we drank some bubbles.
We went into Emsworth, and had a jar at the Coal Exchange and the Bluebell. Later Jim came round for a drink, and in the evening we ate the Sussex Brewery.
Next morning was hot and sunny. I got the papers, and cooked breakfast, and Neil and Jane went for a walk. Then when the water was high enough, we motored out over the sill and out to West Pole. We managed a sail from there to Portsmouth, and had lunch on the way. Back into Haslar, and Neil and Jane set off on their long journey back.
A really great weekend, and a hot and sunny one.
Legend Owners Annual Rendezvous, Lymington 05/06 September 2009
Julia and I left Haslar late Saturday morning into a W5/6. Did a zig then a zag, and then motored to Lymington. Sun shone at first and then cloudy for the rest of the weekend.
Moored up as one of 24 boats, and by 4pm, we were already partying on Iona. Then we had the official drinks on the pontoon next to Revel, and then a dinner in the library at the Royal Limington YC. Great fun.
Finally drinks on Goose, and bed around 11! Being spring tides, we had to be away around 9am, so we were a bit bleary as we motored back to Haslar – in little or no wind of course!
Great weekend with some great friends.
Boat Show and “Snowchick Rally”, Ocean Village & Swanwick11-13 September 2009
I finished work at 12:30 and we rushed down to Haslar and were welcomed by a NE 5-6, so sails up and sailing fast from Gilkicker all the way up to Ocean Village. Great sail.
We had no problem berthing in the club pool, and Christine nabbed us for a photo shoot just after arrival. She wanted us to model some of the new club regalia – sweatshirts and the like. Great fun. Then we went for drinks with Adam and Louise aboard their lovely Najad, and I then cooked us a meal aboard.
Saturday we walked to the boat show, met Keith and Lorna in the queue and we all met up for drinks on the Dean and Reddyhoff stand at 11:30, also meeting Malcolm and mave who had already moored Snowchick in Swanwick.
We also met up with Mike and Sarah looking at the Discovery 67 and 55, and then after some shopping, we walked back to Ocean Village and got another cracking sail down to the Hamble River. Again NE – this time 4-5. We motored up to Swanwick and moored up safely.
We then went for drinks aboard Snowchick, and went to the Jolly Sailor for dinner. Excellent service from Manda who manages the pub and waitress Natalie. Great food and great people.
Sunday again brought a good NE 5-6 and saw yet another cracking sail from the Hamble river entrance to Gilkicker – Wow! Tidied up and stopped at “The Office” in Petersfield on the way back, followed by BBQ at Woodpeckers.
Legend Rally to Bembridge 3-4 October 2009
Julia and I went down to Haslar on Friday evening and had drinks with Colin and Julia in Landers. The forecast was for lots of wind Saturday but from the SW, this would be a good sail to Bembridge. We left at 0830 double reefed and had a fabulous sail in 25 – 30 knots of SW. Even the weather wasn’t too bad.
Arrived on the Duver and rafted outside Leoni and then went aboard the Goose for a while. Much amusedness, and watching the boat parking entertainment. We then had drinks aboard Selene at 1700 and then water taxi to the Bembridge Sailing Club.
Dinner was a fun time and we all enjoyed ourselves! We then retired back to Goose for further imbibing and retired late.
Next morning, as arranged, Snowchick arrived and we cooked breakfast for Malcolm and Mave, and then went for lunchtime drinks at the Brading Haven Yacht Club. We then managed to sail most of the way back in light winds, and as usual stopped at the Office on the way home.
Chilling in the Solent mini-cruise 10-13 October 2009
Julia and I went down to Haslar on Friday evening and I got up early and motored us to Lymington before the tide turned. Came out alongside Ghostly Goose and we chatted along Haslar Bank.
We got into Lymington in time for the market, and some fantastic sunshine. We went back to Berthon, as we love the shorter walk and the fantastic showers. We relaxed in the sunshine and then I cooked steak.
Sunday – the weather wasn’t so good, so we abandoned plans to go to Gins and motored over to Yarmouth and had lunch at the Royal Solent. Then we drank in the Bugle later.
Monday, we cycled to Fort Victoria and up the Yar Valley for drinks at the Red Lion at Freshwater. All in glorious sunshine. Then we motored to Swanwick – the Solent was so empty! Again enjoyed the sunshine and then took the dinghy over to the Jolly Sailor for dinner.
Tuesday, we did some boat jobs in the sunshine and had a lovely gentle motor back in the sunshine and stopped at the Office on the way back.
Gins Laying up supper 17-18 October 2009
Julia and I went down to Haslar Saturday morning, and had a cracking sail in a Northerly F4 to Gins. We picked up our favourite buoy just off the pontoon and after a few lunchtime drinks at the bar, relaxed aboard. Tony and Heather Birr turned up in Wings of Hamble and we sat next to them at dinner, and had a splendid evening.
No wind on the Sunday morning, but it was nice weather again, so we motored back and stopped in the Office on the way back as usual.
Legend Halloween 31 October 2009
Julia and I got down on Friday afternoon and motor sailed out of Haslar just as it got dark, and tied up alongside Colin and Julie on the Folly pontoon. A couple of drinks with them, and then the Scallys tied up outside us and 27 of us sat down for dinner in the Folly.
Saturday morning, we motored into Island Harbour, and after making toast for the Scallys and us, we cycled into Newport. Went back to the Premier Inn to re-live the 2008 IOW Festival – very nostalgic.
Bacchus were very impressive on arrival as was Sue’s spider.
Then lunch in the Bargeman’s rest, and we were joined by Colin and Julie and Simon and Emma who had all walked with the dogs. We then went into the classic boat museum, and then back to the boat. At 6, we had food from all the boats shared out on a bench, and a bonfire and fireworks.
We sneaked off with the Scallys onto Selene and watched Strictly (recorded earlier ) via our Slingbox and then joined the pontoon party. The smoke machine was in use!
Sunday night a huge storm blew over, and a lot decided to stay. We really wanted to get back so left and had a lot of help through the lock in the breeze. When I started Selene, I noticed the engine didn’t sound right, but the gates were opening and people standing by, so I went in. Soon after clearing the lock, she overheated and we sailed under jib to the river pontoon opposite the Folly, to wait for the engine to cool down and have a look.
Lady Muck with Neil, Ian, and Pippa pulled over to help, and we stripped the engine down. The impeller was gone, and we couldn’t really find any weed or blockage, so I replaced the impeller, put it all back together, and she sounded normal again.
So, Sunday roast at the Folly, and then we motored happily down the Medina with Lady Muck to sail home. The engine was fine, but after a couple of minutes the C80 GPS packed up and just kept re-booting itself, and stayed that way. Oh well, I know the way home.
Got to Shepards and hoisted a single reef in the shelter there and then charged out into F6 W gusting 30 knots. Goose winged very fast and surfing to Gilkicker, where just as we approached the harbour entrance, I put the engine on, which sounded fine, and dropped sails as we were in the lee of Haslar bank there.
As I put the main away, the engine sounded wrong again, and sure enough, overheated again. I rolled the jib out, and advised QHM that I would sail in. They were in a bit of a flap about me keeping to the West, but my VHF was starting to fail, and they couldn’t hear me properly. I then tried Haslar to see if they could help me onto my berth when I got into Haslar creek, and they couldn’t hear me either, so now the VHF is kaput as well! I rang them on the mobile and we slowly sailed into the harbour, with the wind all over the place as usual.
I finally got an angle for Haslar creek and as I got back near Ballast buoy, the whole harbour entrance was filled with tugs, police boats and the Navy’s new Destroyer coming in completely taking over the whole entrance. We just slid into Haslar creek in time, and John in the Haslar rib helped nudge us into our berth. I was able to sail right up the creek, and berthing was easy with motorised assistance!
Wow – what a load of things to go wrong after such a lovely weekend. We got home exhausted!
Selene in Gosport Boat Yard 9 – 27th November 2009
After all the drama of the previous weekend, I went down on Saturday 7th November and sorted the engine out. When I looked at the impeller that I had only fitted the Sunday before it was broken. So after some to-ing and fro-ing to the Volvo dealer, we discovered that there are two impellers listed for our engine, and it’s hard to tell them apart. The spare I had fitted was the wrong one, and simply wasn’t up to the job. It also turns out that the previous impeller fitted at the last service wasn’t right either, but because it had almost instantly distorted it “sort of “ worked for the past few months. It now explains why we couldn’t rev as high as normal without the temperature gauge going up.
The difference in “fit” with the correct one gives the game away – you have to hammer it in, whereas the wrong one can easily be pushed in. Anyway that’s all sorted now, and a correct spare to hand as well.
The GPS and VHF went back to Greenham Regis, and they were able to reset the GPS and it all seems OK now – we shall see. They also tested the VHF and found nothing wrong, so we are suspecting a problem in the power connection, which I shall look at in due course.
Selene was then craned out for a new sail drive gaiter to be fitted, anti-foul and hull polish and some internal fibreglass repairs where we had some cracking, which we saw at the original survey, and now really needed sorting. Sadly the bad weather came in, and so the one week of work ended up being three as we had gales and rain for most of the month.
I am certain I left the jib properly secured, but on the night of Friday 13th, the jib blew out and flogged all night. It’s not shredded, but looks tired now. It was still blowing a seven when I went to inspect the damage, so I still haven’t fully assessed that until we can sail her.
Newtown River aboard Northern Spirit 28 / 29th November 2009
Gosport Boatyard were not sure if they could get Selene back in the water in time for the weekend rally, so we had booked to go aboard Northern Spirit – a Najad 400 belonging to our friends Adam and Louise Greig.
Although there was a lull in the weather Friday afternoon, and they got Selene in and round to Haslar, there still wasn’t time to put the GPS and VHF back in and the other tidying up required after the work, so we stuck with our plans to go on Northern Spirit.
The forecast was horrendous, but we went anyway! Actually, it was fairly quiet on the Saturday getting there, but just as we entered Newtown the heavens opened and the wind got up. We still went by dinghy and footpath to the pub, and the rain eased a bit. Great food and company. There were 6 boats including us.
We looked at the forecast and figured we would have a window early in the morning where it would be windy, but not the force 9 or 10 around lunchtime. We set off at 0800 and had the small genoa up and a small amount of main. The wind was 35- 42 true but downwind, so it was exhilarating and smooth on such a big and heavy boat. She sailed beautifully.
We all enjoyed it and Louise cooked us a big breakfast on arrival into Ocean Village. We of course stopped at the Office on the way back! Great weekend.
East Cowes for Boxing Day at Emily’s and RSYC Folly lunch 26 / 27th December 2009
Emily wanted everyone over on the Isle of Wight for my mum’s birthday, so we sailed over with James on boxing day and stayed in East Cowes. Emily and Steph picked us up and we had a great time at Emily’s. We got a taxi back later.
Sunday, we walked to the Folly and met all our RSYC friends, and then had a cracking sail back to Gilkicker. Once again, the engine overheated soon after switching on at Gilkicker, and this time I sailed her right into Haslar Creek, and we just used the very hot engine for the last few 100 metres into the berth.
Since then we had the very bad weather and were snowed in, but eventually Motortech diagnosed a new much bigger pump, and this has been fitted.