Heading back into the chaos of the Solent I realised just how much more relaxing sailing is anywhere away from this supposed home of the sport I love. Leaving Portsmouth harbour behind once more I headed west towards the Solent. After the peace and solitude of the previous few weeks it seemed odd at first…
After arriving at Dover at the end of last week my intention was to press on and aim for Ireland. After previously spending time in Dover and exploring the area on my way towards the east coast I saw no point in hanging around, and so the following morning I continued on to sovereign harbour…
Getting back to sea after an extended stay somewhere can be a wrench, particularly when part of me feels that there is so much more to stay for. But then sometimes circumstances tell us that it is time to move on, time to leave with memories for company. The Classic Regatta The weekend of the…
I’ve spent yet another week sitting at Suffolk Yacht Harbour, or more accurately spending my evenings in the lightship that is the home of Haven Ports Yacht Club. It’s very easy to sit around waiting for the world to happen at times like this, but the world will not come to you, you need to…
Two weeks ago I arrived in Suffolk Yacht harbour intending to spend a couple of nights here and then move north. Then the weather got stuck (apparently that’s an official Met Office term!) and the North Westerly wind has been blowing ever since. This wind is blowing towards the land and adds extra complications to…
At the end of my last blog I was sitting in Suffolk Yacht Harbour after crossing the Thames estuary from Ramsgate. Unfortunately I ended up spending the week there with a changeable weather forecast, based mainly on wind coming from the north which is exactly where I’m supposed to be heading. The forecasted wind strengths…
I started this week holed up in Sovereign Harbour at Eastbourne. The wind was being uncooperative, not for the first time this year, or indeed the last I’m sure. I eventually managed to cast off the lines again on Sunday (14th May). Leaving through the lock was a challenge, not helped at all by the…
After a month of delays, and many years of planning, the time had finally come to set off on my Round Britain trip. Sunday 7th May The first day was a short trip round to Portsmouth. I’d always planned this as a short starting trip, easing myself in to life on the boat for the…
When you are planning a grand adventure you look at all aspects of what you are doing; the people and places you’re visiting, the sights you want to see and of course paying attention to the obvious pitfalls and dangers so you can avoid a bad experience and plan for a great one. However sometimes…
