Thursday 14th August 2008
The highlight of the day was me cooking up one of my famous corned beef curries for Daz - the non believer.
1x tin of Corned Beef (ASDA)
2x tin of Chopped Tomatoes (Tesco)
2x Dessert spoons of Madras Curry paste
1x Lrg Tin of Potatoes
3x Portions of Uncle Bens finest boil in the bag rice
If only we had an onion!...
Job done, he is now converted – he’s never had it so good!
We said farewell to our wooden island around 7pm (UK) after the (now not so) cute chick made us pay an extra 10Euros for half a days berthing – bitch!
As Sods Law clearly states, the direction we needed to travel was exactly into wind – we could tack our way slowly but it would be a risk considering the stretch of water we were about to be passing through and the deadlines we needed to meet.
The Alderney Race is the notorious stretch of water between France and the Channel Islands. Tides run through at break neck speeds and if the wind is against the tide it becomes a mess of horrendous rough water. We had timed our arrival to get to the start just off Alderney around HW (Dover) but our approach of over 6 knots over the ground with only 3 knots through the water indicated the tides might be earlier than predicted. If you get the times wrong through here then you are essentially sailing ‘on the spot’ for 6 hours. Luckily, we had got it right and the tide was with us and pushing us through nicely.
The wind was being fickle at around F2-F3 and still just off the direction of travel so we kept the motor running until safely clear of the headland. Then out came the Genoa, its first real trial. We knew the winds were going to be light and had put it on before leaving Cherbourg, good thing to as we made superb progress at between 6-8 knots toward the island of Sark just off of Guernsey, where we would have been struggling with the standard Jib. Its official, Doris is now FAST! – Well for a 35ft yacht anyway.
Clear skies and a super huge bright moon made for a pleasurable sail, but as the night went on it got really cold. For some reason both Daz and I really felt tired on this trip, struggling to stay awake, at one stage I nearly got out the kitchen timer just in case I nodded off as Daz went for an hours sleep below. We would then only awaken to find ourselves washed up on some rocky Channel Island or French shore! Sleep management was always going to be one of my biggest problems especially when sailing with someone who is essentially a complete novice.
Anyways, none of this happened and we made our destination safely about two and a half hours early. One thing I have noted is that the distance covered should be about 90 nm, however, the final log (distance through the water) reads 79.6 nm. Now that’s some good use of tides and explains our good speed – that’s over 10 nm for FREE!
We found our way in to the marina and to our delight the visitors pontoon was both large and an easy mooring alongside. We are barely human by the time we arrive when sailing all night and the berthing needs to be as easy as possible. It always does for that matter, but more so than ever after a night passage!
Just as we got tied up, Francois came flying over in his souped up RIB waving his finger in the air. Non! - We can’t stay on the berth, we are a foot too short! Instead we have to move to the miniscule finger pontoons opposite. Bastard! – Just what we needed. We wrestled Doris into the new berth after some fluffing around with Francois standing there trying not to provide any help. At one stage Daz threw him a line as he was less than 2 meters away, only to watch him thread it through the cleat and throw it straight back – despite the fact that Daz had one leg over the guard rail about to jump on to the pontoon.
In short, the guy was a twat! – Rant over.
For the first time since leaving the UK, we got the hose out as Doris looked like she was covered in white powder there was so much salt on her. I also noticed she has a bit of weed growth on her bottom, so I’ll need to get under there soon.
Time to sleep… ‘fade to black’.
After waking up later in the evening, it was time for a shower and finish up our corned beef curry with a movie.
The highlight of the day was me cooking up one of my famous corned beef curries for Daz - the non believer.
1x tin of Corned Beef (ASDA)
2x tin of Chopped Tomatoes (Tesco)
2x Dessert spoons of Madras Curry paste
1x Lrg Tin of Potatoes
3x Portions of Uncle Bens finest boil in the bag rice
If only we had an onion!...
Job done, he is now converted – he’s never had it so good!
We said farewell to our wooden island around 7pm (UK) after the (now not so) cute chick made us pay an extra 10Euros for half a days berthing – bitch!
As Sods Law clearly states, the direction we needed to travel was exactly into wind – we could tack our way slowly but it would be a risk considering the stretch of water we were about to be passing through and the deadlines we needed to meet.
The Alderney Race is the notorious stretch of water between France and the Channel Islands. Tides run through at break neck speeds and if the wind is against the tide it becomes a mess of horrendous rough water. We had timed our arrival to get to the start just off Alderney around HW (Dover) but our approach of over 6 knots over the ground with only 3 knots through the water indicated the tides might be earlier than predicted. If you get the times wrong through here then you are essentially sailing ‘on the spot’ for 6 hours. Luckily, we had got it right and the tide was with us and pushing us through nicely.
The wind was being fickle at around F2-F3 and still just off the direction of travel so we kept the motor running until safely clear of the headland. Then out came the Genoa, its first real trial. We knew the winds were going to be light and had put it on before leaving Cherbourg, good thing to as we made superb progress at between 6-8 knots toward the island of Sark just off of Guernsey, where we would have been struggling with the standard Jib. Its official, Doris is now FAST! – Well for a 35ft yacht anyway.
Clear skies and a super huge bright moon made for a pleasurable sail, but as the night went on it got really cold. For some reason both Daz and I really felt tired on this trip, struggling to stay awake, at one stage I nearly got out the kitchen timer just in case I nodded off as Daz went for an hours sleep below. We would then only awaken to find ourselves washed up on some rocky Channel Island or French shore! Sleep management was always going to be one of my biggest problems especially when sailing with someone who is essentially a complete novice.
Anyways, none of this happened and we made our destination safely about two and a half hours early. One thing I have noted is that the distance covered should be about 90 nm, however, the final log (distance through the water) reads 79.6 nm. Now that’s some good use of tides and explains our good speed – that’s over 10 nm for FREE!
We found our way in to the marina and to our delight the visitors pontoon was both large and an easy mooring alongside. We are barely human by the time we arrive when sailing all night and the berthing needs to be as easy as possible. It always does for that matter, but more so than ever after a night passage!
Just as we got tied up, Francois came flying over in his souped up RIB waving his finger in the air. Non! - We can’t stay on the berth, we are a foot too short! Instead we have to move to the miniscule finger pontoons opposite. Bastard! – Just what we needed. We wrestled Doris into the new berth after some fluffing around with Francois standing there trying not to provide any help. At one stage Daz threw him a line as he was less than 2 meters away, only to watch him thread it through the cleat and throw it straight back – despite the fact that Daz had one leg over the guard rail about to jump on to the pontoon.
In short, the guy was a twat! – Rant over.
For the first time since leaving the UK, we got the hose out as Doris looked like she was covered in white powder there was so much salt on her. I also noticed she has a bit of weed growth on her bottom, so I’ll need to get under there soon.
Time to sleep… ‘fade to black’.
After waking up later in the evening, it was time for a shower and finish up our corned beef curry with a movie.
13 comments:
Checked out the website for the Marina you are in, 1030 berths!!!
Can't believe you have resorted to the Corned Beef Curry already! It will be Tomato soup with slices of ham in it next ;-)
No film review?
Half my family and a few from my office are following your escapades ... keep it coming!
And no I don't spend ALL day watching your blog for changes!
Good to hear somebody is interested and reading my ramblings...
Film was 'National Treasure - N.Cage' nuff said!
and hey .. Wars have been won on Corned Beef!
hey boo,daz,
did you manage to see the chausey islands or too risky at night ?
enjoy
Hi Francois ... chausey islands are to the west of us closer to St. Malo. We wont be going that way maybe next time around?
I really need to get round to Cameret ASAP and then get across Biscay. Again we have a forcast for horrible weather coming in so we will stay put until mid week at a guess. The weather is nothing like Summer should be.
Doh! - Sorry I meant chausey islands are East of us, but we are headed West. Brain was thinking faster than I can type.
I knew what I meant...
We are in the middle of the desert at the moment so reading tales about adventures on the high seas is a bit weird.
However, we met someone in Vegas who was fascinated to hear of your epic adventure but will ensure that your story is being avidly followed in the US as well.
Looking forward to hearing about the next stage of the journey so keep writing.
Martyn and Jo
hi chay,
great blog and glad to hear things are ok.il send dave over to give the boat a wash!!!, dave said he could wash it in 3 weeks.!!!Tell das his fruit comsumption has pushed up fruit prices back in the uk.Costa is to marooned in eastbourne after a good day on friday, and got up saturday to come back,went through the lock only to find myself in 35 knot winds and 4 foot waves. We had 20 waves come over the flybridge and had to turn back. I guess reading your blogs gave me a stupid new found onfidence.Anyway keep the blogs going, it provides a good topic of conservation within the family at meal times. Wear your brighton shirt with pride.
paul. costa lotta.
chay,
ive unscrewed your dock fender and put it on ebay, had 10 bids so far and finally sold it for 15 quid. ive used the money to finance 3 further dinners at the yacht club.
regards
jerry,hs
and who was just saying on the phone that you hadn't had any comments from the marina lot?!?!?
Boo - just looked at the map and it's no wonder I couldn't find it - you keep telling me your'e to the right of St Malo (e.g East) - the map shows you to the left (e.g West). You sure you know where you're going babe? Will be out to help in October with new-found map reading skills from Day Skipper course (9days intensive from 27/09) so try not to get too lost before then! :)
(hi everyone on pontoon 8 - I've signed up for some extra courses at end of this month - offshore safety / sea survival / 1st aid at sea in hamble if anyone wants to join me please shout! Decided if i do these and the day skipper course and still cr*p myself as soon as the wind blows I'm gonna have to resign to being yachty totty and flying out to be his doris in every port!)
Blimey - I missed these comments its expensive this internet malarky!
Jerry - You will be sorry, that dock fender will be worth millions this time next year! Put it toward the new boat fund.
Paul - Thats what I like to hear some rough weather motorboating - Costa can take it! How was Karen after this little escapade?
Daz is at risk of scurvy since leaving the U.K - times are hard!
Kat - Soz, my brain works in pilotage mode ie. as if I'm sailing towards my destination. I knew what I meant (see other post to Francois).
Anyway, you play skipper and I'll get my ManKini ready!
Brighton Posse - Good to hear from you all!
Chay,
karens face went the colour of my shoes (which were grey at the time),She cried "stop reading doris blogs its making you take stupid chances".maybe she thinks that chay is mad, oh well,shes probably right.Anyway you must be impressed with kats desire to become a day skipper!!!, you will be asking her soon "what would you like me to do next". I cant wait for day kat has a real go at you about your sailing ability,this will be a treat.Pontoon 8 is not the same without the constant smell of oranges & fruit and the occaisonal nudge from doris on the way past out of the pontoon.
stay safe
paul(costa)
Well that photo of the sunset looks grate. Ummm don't suppose you need some IT sec work on your boat do you.
Oh well.
Any way just t let you know ill be leveeing the big V. You had the right idea.
Alex
Hey Al. Good to hear from you. Send me your personal email addy and stay in touch - ya hear!
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