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2009 SEPTEMBER – CRUISE TO SOLENT
Sunset at East Head Our cruise should have started on Tuesday 15th September, after a visit to the Southampton Boat Show. We were on the Westerly stand as volunteers for the day on Monday, which was a new experience for us, and very enjoyable. It was great to chat to fellow Westerly owners, and we managed to sign two new members up as well! For our help Westerly paid for our tickets to the boat show and gave us each a lovely ‘crew’ shirt with the Westerly logo and ‘Hurkur’ embroidered on the front, which we were asked to wear whilst on the stand. Very nice too. Anyway the plan was to stay on board Hurkur when we returned from the Boat show, so we would be ready to get up and go the next day. Alas when we woke up there were gale force 8’s forecast, plus it was raining, so we stayed put in SovereignHarbour, and so the pattern followed all week, gales every day, until Friday when they forecast just strong winds. As they were easterly and we thought would be behind us we attempted to leave (also the wind didn’t seem too bad in the marina), but when we poked our noses out of the harbour entrance, wow, that sea was horrible! Plus the wind was blowing harder than we anticipated, (force 6-7) so after giving it a go for a mile or so, we turned round and came back. Thoroughly dejected we went into Eastbourne looking at the travel agents for late deals, but none were cheap enough!! The forecast looked better for the weekend, so we persevered and waited for Saturday morning. Hoorah, a lovely sunny day dawned, with force 3-4’s forecast so it was all systems go! Saturday 19th Sept. Left Sovereign Harbour in the 10am lock and motor sailed to Brighton (from too much wind to not enough, as is the way). It was a lovely trip with calm seas, and in fact we spotted an inland waterways barge making its way towards Eastbourne, quite close in to the shore, obviously taking advantage of the flat sea conditions. We arrived at Brighton about 2pm and stayed on the visitors berth as we intend to make an early start tomorrow for Chichester. As it was Spring tides the next day, we had to get to Chichester marina about 1 ½ to 2 hours before low water as the entrance channel dries out so it meant leaving Brighton about 6.30 am. We saw Chris from Sand Skimmer at Brighton, who was also on his way to the Solent, but he said his plans were to go first to Gosport marina tomorrow, then on to the Isle of Wight possibly. We may meet up somewhere along the way. Sat and watched all the boats to-ing and fro-ing in the marina during the rest of the day – lots of activity as it was such lovely weather. We ate on board in the evening and had an early-ish night ready for the next day. Sunday 20th Sept. We had thunder, lightening and rain during the night which kept me awake, then we had to get up at 5.30 am anyway so didn’t get much sleep. It was quite windy, but as it was Northerly the sea was calm – goody! We crept out at 6.15 am with very little water under us – low water was at 7 am. With head sail up and motor on we made good progress against the tide averaging about 5 knots all the way to the Looe channel, which we reached about noon. Went over the Chichester bar about 1 pm(more or less high tide) and wound our way up the channel to Chi Marina, dodging all the little sailing boats on the way. The channel is lined with boats on swinging moorings and is an interesting journey with the beautiful countryside all around – it was about 4 years ago we last came up to Chichester Marina but recognised many landmarks. We arrived at the marina during free-flow, but visitors are asked to pull up on the waiting pontoon just outside the locks to report in first. Eddie went to the office and got our berth no. H25 and instructions where it was, down the end and near all facilities – good-oh! There is quite a current flowing through the lock during free flow but we cast off okay, and went straight on to our berth. Our neighbour was a young chap living aboard his wooden yacht which he was gradually restoring – he had a bilge pump which went off every 30 minutes disgorging the water over the pontoon! But he apologised and said he had a small leak in the hull. It had been a long day so we decided to treat ourselves and visit the Yacht Club for a meal – on our previous visits we had been very impressed with their food and hoped it was still the same. We weren’t disappointed and went to bed on a full stomach and a nice bottle of wine!  Waiting pontoon at Chichester marina and Yacht C;lub Monday 21st Sept. We woke to an overcast sky, but the sun soon came out and it was a beautiful day again. We had a surprise visit from Chris & Ivy (Sand Skimmer) who came in yesterday evening after dark. They had left later than anticipated from Brightonafter a good night out previously, so decided to come to Chichester instead. They were berthed at the end of our pontoon so we had a chat and coffee, then after lunch Eddie & I set out for a walk to Itchenor. It was a lovely walk along public footpaths that skirt the harbour and take you through farmland and past big (expensive) houses that back onto the water. We paid a visit to the Harbour office at Itchenor to enquire about their visitors mooring buoys. It works out to £3.50 harbour dues plus £8.00 per night – not bad but for us as Premier berth holders it’s free in Chichester Marina, so will stay there for a few nights. Had a couple of shandies at the Ship Inn before walking back – it was about a 5-6 mile round trip so felt quite tired after that! Decided to stay on board and eat in the evening, which was quite a chilly one! We worked out the tides so we could anchor at East Head for a couple of nights, with a view to drying out so we can inspect Hurkur’s bottom! Also fit a new anode and have a quick scrub down.
Itchenor Harbour Tuesday 22nd Sept. Lovely bright breezy day, so did some hand washing – tried the launderette but seemed constantly busy yesterday. Also bought a few essentials from the little general store they have here and Eddie had a look round the chandlery and bought a buoy for our anchor. We took the inflatable out today along to the fuel pontoon with our cans to top up, then had a ride round the marina looking at all the boats – saw Fizzgig which is still here – the owner took our shore-based Day Skipper classes in East Grinstead some years ago. Unfortunately he wasn’t on board. Rest of the day disappeared in various jobs, etc. then we went along to the Yacht Club in the evening with Chris & Ivy and had another lovely meal there. Wednesday 23rd Sept. We had some excitement in the marina this morning, before we left. I had just walked round to another pontoon to take some photos and noticed Marina staff running and shouting. There was a large motor cruiser belching out smoke at the end of the marina (the area nearest the bird sanctuary ‘look-outs’). The staff were quickly moving any nearby boats, and the firemen arrived shortly after. They seemed to get it under control quite quickly but hate to think what damage was done inside the boat. All this delayed our departure but we finally got the 12 noon lock out after bidding goodbye to Chris & Ivy. We motored down the channel in rain towards East Head, so it was on with our oilies! On the way we saw a couple of people standing on what looked like surfboards and sculling along – quite difficult to keep your balance I should think. On the way we spotted two ex-Sovereign Harbour boats: Ch’ang-o (Centaur) and Okey-Dokey (Legend)! It stopped raining when we got to East Head and because of the weather it was relatively empty there. We picked a spot fairly close in to the shore but which we thought was fairly deep, but just touched bottom when the tide went out. We noticed a place further up for tomorrow which should leave us high and dry and quite flat to sit the boat on. Had the anchorage almost to ourselves for the night except for just one yacht. It was very peaceful there during the evening, just the sound of birds and a beautiful sunset. Thursday 24th Sept. Eddie slept out in the saloon last night so he could get up and check the anchor when the tide turned. First time we have anchored over night in Hurkur, but our new Spade anchor held very well, despite the wind picking up during the night. He didn’t get good nights sleep though, and I slept very fitfully as well. We were up at 6 am to get the boat ready to move in and beach it while the tide ran away. All went well except we were at a bit of an angle as the rudder dug in a bit at the back. However Eddie managed to scrub most of the hull and checked it out for bubbles (another story!!!) – all looked okay thank goodness. He replaced the anode and cleaned the sea cocks and paddle wheel which were gunged up. It seemed an age before the sea came back in and refloated us but E calculated it at about 12.30 pm and he was spot on!! We then decided to sail on to Gosport for the night so we could get a good night’s sleep before the sail back to Brighton tomorrow. Wind was on the nose to Portsmouth so motored again following the buoys up the ‘little ships channel’ into the harbour. Saw Fridays Child (another Seahawk) on our way, which we had also spotted berthed in Chi. Gosport is a new marina to us, so I phoned ahead and got our berth (H46) and we worked out where it was. Once again lovely weather today, we have been so lucky this week! Had another surprise visit from Chris who came to Gosport yesterday, after deciding to give Yarmouth a miss. Had tea and a chat with them, then a shower in the very palatial shower block (which was upstairs in the Gosport building and felt like your own bathroom!). Had a curry on board and an early night.  Eddie scrubbing Hurkur’s bottom
Friday 25th Sept. Another early start and we slipped our moorings at 7.15 am. Good weather again, but no wind so motor sailed to Brighton on silky smooth seas. During the last half hour the wind picked up just in time to blow us onto the pontoon at Brighton!! Okay though, managed to control the boat with the breast line, but may have just touched the side of the boat on the pontoon – it was the same berth as on our journey out. Soon after a Westerly Typhoon pulled in next to us (Elysium) who had come from Haslar marina which is next door to Gosport. They were on their way to Chatham having been away for some weeks. Two boats from Sovereign also arrived during the day – Takara (Westerly) and Pipe Dream. We decided to stay at Brighton for two nights (free again, as Chi and Gosport were, all Premier marinas!). We went to Wetherspoons for a meal in the evening – nice steak for me and mixed grill for Eddie, with a bottle of Hardy’s Shiraz – yum! Saturday 26th Sept. ANOTHER sunny day, and after a trip to Asda for a paper, etc. had a nice leisurely breakfast. Walked along to the Chandlery later to get some more elastic rope for the sail stack pack as the other stuff is threadbare. Eddie got out the cruising chute and sorted it out in case we can us it tomorrow. Had a lazy day otherwise, read my book and relaxed in the cockpit. Ate on board in the evening and watched a DVD ‘The Postman’ with Kevin Costner – that was an epic of about 3 hrs, but good. Sunday 27th Sept. uess what? Another beautiful sunny day, but the nights are getting colder though, and the deck was covered in dew this morning. We left about 11 am (one hour before low tide) and motor sailed all the way back. Couldn’t use the chute because the wind was almost on the nose, and tried the sails by Beachy Head but they flapped around like a couple of elephants ears!! We went into the 3.30 pm lock which was jammed full, and there were other boats queuing up outside for the next one! The sign of a good Sunday! After we had come into our berth and tied up Gill and Dave (Morning Mist) came round for a cup of tea. They had been hoping to come with us on the cruise, but Dave’s mum sadly died just prior to our leaving. Walked home later to pick up the car and bring it back to unload all the dirty washing. Lucky me! We had a Chinese take away in the evening to finish off the holiday. Back to normality tomorrow, or so we thought!!! P.S. Couple of days later discovered a leak in our mains water supply which had flooded the bungalow under the floorboards, obviously been going for some time. So on to the insurers and upheaval followed. Pump out, de-humidifiers, fans blowing, new floorboards, carpets, etc. etc. We stayed on board the boat for a week during the nights as it was so noisy at home! Happy days! ____________________________________________________ HERE IS AN ACCOUNT OF OUR TRIP TO FRANCE SEPTEMBER 2007 – WE USED IT AS A ‘RECCY’ TRIP PRIOR TO OUR PLANNED CRUISE THROUGH THE FRENCH CANALS THE FOLLOWING YEAR.  Honfleur Yacht Basin SEPTEMBER CRUISE 2007 – ‘French Foray’Monday 3rd We left Sovereign Harbour 7.30 am lock – weather overcast and chilly. Sea calm to start with and fresh northerly winds. By the time we reached Beachy Head the sea was quite uncomfortable – up and down – and we were more or less head to wind once past Beachy Head. We had a lovely sail across the bay there, though, and then engine went on by seven sisters to give us a bit of speed. I felt quite sick for a while, then sea eased off near Brighton. We went to reception pontoon and Eddie went up to office to get a berth – 15/31. The first one they gave him was, true to form, already occupied so it was a good thing he walked round there to check it out! Bit of a hash getting into berth but no harm done. We might splash out on some of those adjustable clips for the fenders so we can move them up and down quickly – it would make life easier. Also a couple of big round fenders for the stern (and a fender step for me!). Sun came out at last in the afternoon, but northerly winds mean not very warm. Now we have to do a passage plan for the journey to Fecamp (hopefully tomorrow). Tuesday 4th We got up to leave at first light (5 am) and left by 6 am. By mid channel, although winds were still force 3-4, sea was moderate and hitting us on the beam so not a comfortable crossing. We both felt dickey every time we had to go below! A good crossing though, but a long tiring day – we arrived at Fecamp about 5.30 pm (UK time) just right for tide which was about high water + 2. Motor sailed all the way to keep up our speed (average 6 knots) and we did a nice pirouette mid channel when the auto-pilot got knocked out by a larger than usual wave! Easy entrance into Fecamp and a helpful French bloke took our rope as we berthed. A nice peaceful place Fecamp, a little haven tucked in between the cliffs. By the time we had showered, etc. we had a late meal at a small restaurant by the quay (recommended by people on Katygra, a Centaur from Sovereign Harbour that arrived here yesterday!) Nice bottle of Bordeaux, with fish soup and trout in Roquefort sauce for me, and fruits de mer, with pepper steak to follow for Ed. We slept very well after that! Wednesday 5th Had a leisurely day today, with a late breakfast followed by a long walk to find the Carrefour supermarket. Bought some red wine and gin (of course!) and some lunch from a patisserie on the way there. Also got some nice red mugs for the boat. The Benedictine Monastery is here and we may visit it on our way back from Le Havre as we will probably call in here again. Watched the crane here lift out an Arvor fishing boat – the strops didn’t look very safe – frayed and old, reminded me of Sovereign!! Eddie gave his mum a call today to wish her a happy birthday.We ate on board this evening after a wander along the sea front – you have to mind where you step – dog turdies abound!!They are busy here getting ready for a ‘Grand Prix’ for jet skis – going to be noisy at the weekend I think, so we will be leaving tomorrow.  Hurkur in Fécamp Thursday 6th Got up about 7 am today to catch the high tide. Sea had settled down (there was quite a swell in the entrance yesterday) and we got away about 8.30 am. Lovely sea today but little wind, so it was headsail up and motor on. Relaxing sail to Le Havreunder a cloudy sky. Lot of seaweed off the coast here – reminded me of Worthing. Cliffs along the coast all the way to Le Havre and we entered the port just ahead of a big tanker, it’s very busy here. Tied up on the visitor’s pontoon just inside the harbour – nice big pontoons but quite open to the passing boats and the wash from the entrance.We had a walk along the seafront and chose a restaurant to eat in – very nice meal. The sun was setting as we came out – what a beautiful sight. There was a sailing race all with spinnakers out and the sea was calm with a big red sun setting behind – what a picture! Much warmer tonight and slept well despite the occasional rocking! Friday 7th Lovely day again today. After washing a few smalls we went to the shops. Asked at the Capitainerie about a crane lifting the mast – basically the crane driver does just that – we have to do the rest! The crane is on the north harbour wall and is 56 euros for half an hour – bookable 2/3 days ahead. Mmm, sounds a bit hairy to me, would have to be a calm day I think. Found a chandlers too and asked about the Navicartes – the one we want for the Seine has been ordered, probably in tomorrow. Also located the Supermarket ‘Super U’ quite close by, through an archway next to restaurant Thallassa (as written in the pilot book!). A helpful shop nearby sold us stamps and told us the nearest post-box. After buying a few essentials (Grimbergen beer and Brie!) went back for a lazy lunch in the sun. La bon vie!! After a relaxing afternoon we went for a walk to end of the quay and saw the Transmanche ferry come in from Newhaven. We then walked along the prom and had a beer overlooking the beach. They have so much to do here on the seafront – BMX tracks, parks, many beach huts, a lido, boules, basketball and cycle lanes everywhere. Loads of joggers here too! Cooked tea aboard tonight as meals aren’t very cheap – about the same as UK or more so. A lovely evening again. We spotted a Seahawk 35 on another pontoon (a native of LeHavre) but couldn’t see a name. Saturday 8th Slept in this morning and another beautiful sunny day (unbelievable isn’t it?!) We went over to have a chat with the crane driver when we went out, and had a look at a couple of boats moored up against the quay and how they had done it. Then we walked into the city centre and found Darty, after asking at the Tourist office where we could buy a kettle. But they didn’t have the right one and the cafetiere that I wanted also was too expensive. But there was an Internet Café there so that will be helpful next year possibly. Got our bearings and found quite a few places, also the location of ‘La Mer en Fete’ which is on all weekend near one of the ‘bassins’. We went along there after lunch – lots of stalls selling local and ethnic produce, camel rides, a stage set up with a male voice choir singing and all the fishing boats were dressed in flags and other decorations. A lovely sight. On our way back we found another chandlers on a turning opposite entrance to marina and they had the Navicarte we wanted and a jug to make my coffee in. We returned to the Pizzeria for evening dinner – very busy in there this time! Knackered when I went to bed with all this walking – will have to watch my back.
Ferry from Newhaven Sunday 9th Had another lie in this morning – think we had a little too much wine last night! Murky day today (it had to break some time) so having a lazy morning sorting out a few things, like typing this log for example!Loads of boats passed us all dressed up in flags, etc, including the pilot boat, small pleasure cruisers laden with passengers, and gendarmerie boat for a parade just outside the marina entrance – they were there for a ‘blessing’ of the boats and a short service. It was a shame the weather was miserable for them. Later we wandered down to the ‘Mer en Fete’ to watch ‘Bootleg Abba’. They started at 5 pm and finished about 6.30 pm – very good, and lots of people there jigging around and singing along. We came back to eat on board as planning to go to Honfleur tomorrow.  Bootleg Abba doing their ‘thing’! Monday 10th Woke up at 7 am to make an early start to catch the tide, but weather ba Tuesday 11th Up early to get a good start to Honfleur – what a difference in the weather from yesterday. Calm and sunny. Buoy hopped out of Le Havre and down the Seine (the Chenal du Rouen) and turned into Honfleur just at about high tide – what timing – the locks were free-flow. Had to tie up on the quay while we waited for the bridge – 11.30 opening so we only had half an hour to wait. Two other British boats were waiting and another one. Luckily they gave us a finger berth so we didn’t have to raft up on the visitor’s pontoon. What a lovely place this is – very old buildings and churches all round us, numerous art galleries and artists dotted all around busily painting the scene. Perhaps Hurkur will feature in one of the paintings?! We asked at the capitainerie ‘Cercle Nautique Honfleur’ about mast unstepping/crane services, and she pointed us to Frederic Challe of TEC Ocean, in the Bassin Carnot. He was very helpful – excellent English – and said he could also help us with the unstepping, which will be great. We have his card, and he said there would be no problem leaving the boat there until we are ready to leave. Just the job – we have now decided against Le Havre, as this is much nearer to travel to Rouen. Ate at a restaurant across the Bassin – I had Moules Mariniere and Eddie had Steak with Roquefort sauce. The restaurants are all quite expensive here, but I dare say if you went back from the waterfront it would be cheaper. The clock here chimes every quarter hour, but luckily this stopped at night! Slept well.  Waiting for Honfleur bridge to open
 Me .posying’ among the flowers
Thursday 13th Up early for the 8.30 bridge to open – we followed our neighbours (in a Bavaria 38 cruiser) to the lock. Went a long way down as it was about LW + 1 and Springs to boot. Enough water to come out of Honfleur though, keeping to the East side of entrance. Very pleasant motor up the Seine with wind directly behind us, then as we passed Le Havre, wind got up. By the time we reached Fecamp it was a Force 5, gusting 6. Motorsailed as wind almost on the nose, and we had to get there for the tide. Going in was fine, so our worries were unnecessary. (The pilot book says Force 5 + can be difficult entering).We were blown off pontoon though, so took a few attempts to get close enough for me to get off.Both felt knackered after bouncing up and down all day, especially Eddie as he helmed all the way. Had a very nice meal invery reasonable Brasserie on the Quayside – 11 euros for 3 courses and only 4 euros for a pitcher of wine (50cl). Service was good too. Friday 14thWe had a lie in today and quite chilly first thing. Had to wipe condensation off all the windows – reminded me of our trip in April. Washing and shopping to do today – will get the boring things done first. Got our shopping from Marche Plus just along the quayside – much nearer than Carrefour. We managed to get another Navicarte from the chandlers here too. After lunch we had a walk along the seafront to the cliffs – there was a little waterfall there. I was surprised to see quite a few people in swimming. They must be a hardy lot here! Had a chat with a couple on ‘Clivian’ a Hanse 36. They are going back to Portsmouth tomorrow, where they keep the boat, but live in Birmingham! Gave Adam and Hannah a call to wish them well, then watched a film on the laptop – Déjà vu – very good. It was breezy again today, and the boat was rocking well as we went to sleep. Saturday 15th A quandary – heard on the radio Northern Rock are in trouble and we have savings with them. Do we a) Leave it and see what happens, b) Find internet café and see if we can transfer money, c) Go home and sort it out? We will first see if we can find an internet café here, then decide what to do.Had a lovely shower this morning – facilities here are definitely the best so far (and free!) Afterwards we went for a walk to find the two internet places the Capitainerie informed us of. First one was shut, but the Tourist Office pointed us in the right direction of the second one. This was an internet pub called ‘Pagnol’ in town centre, where we were able to use their computer for free, on condition we had a drink! Very kind I think. There were also plugs along the wall in some booths where you could plug in your own laptop. We’ll remember this place for next year. Managed to transfer one account but not mine – site was locked solid with all the people trying to do the same! It turned into a beautiful, hot, sunny day, so after lunch we went to the beach for a swim. Thought we would join the locals, but it was damn cold!! We didn’t stay in long. Had a beautiful sunset this evening – the whole horizon was bathed in a red glow.We ate on board tonight as we plan an early start tomorrow – 2 hours before low tide (9.30 am) to get out. We have decided to go to Dieppe as we may be able to get on the internet there and its accessible all states of the tide if we want to shoot home. Sunday 16th Another change of plan this morning. Long range forecast looks like weather is going to break this week, so we decided to go home today. Don’t fancy being stuck inDieppe as it’s quite expensive there according to the Almanac. Also we can sort out our finances (not to mention visit the Boat Show!) if we go home now.We left at 7.30 am – cloudy but calm, and most of the way over we had Force 4’s and seas a bit lumpy, but not bad. However ….. As always, things change and about 20 miles offEnglish Coast the wind and sea got up and went from Force 5, to 6, to 7, by the time we were off Beachy Head. It took all Eddie’s skills to keep boat upright, as the waves were constantly bashing us. We reefed the main sail right down (and took in headsail) and that gave us some stability. When I went below everything was on the floor – including the big heavy cover to the cooker – luckily no breakages! Glad to be back, and made the 6 pm lock, then slid thankfully into our berth. After a lovely hot shower we went to the Ganges for a celebratory curry.
un chameau français (A french camel!) ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ AN ACCOUNT OF OUR DELIVERY JOURNEY WITH HURKUR THE NEW YACHT Today is 23rd March 2007 and we are spending our last day on Hurkur,getting her ready to go back in the water next week. Hurkur is a Westerly Seahawk, 34ft long and beamy! We chose her as our ideal live-aboard yacht for our intended extended cruising starting next year. Our plans are to go through the French Canals, entering at Le Havre (possibly) and exiting into the Med at Port St Louis. Then it’s turn right for Spain, or left for Italy! We sold our Westerly Centaur ‘Alban Rose’ recently, which was shortly after we bought ‘Hurkur’. It was sad to see Rosie go but unfortunately she wouldn’t have been big enough to live on for months at a time. We nurtured her from a sad state and intend to do the same to ‘Hurkur’ – although she is in much better nick than Rosie was. She is named after a collection of rocks which are at the entrance to Eyemouth Harbour, on the east coast of Scotland – her original owner lived in Scotland. So we have a year to get her ship-shape and prepare ourselves. I give up work on Friday (30/03/07) hurrah!! Then we shall catch a train from Eastbourne to Wareham, where she is at the moment in Ridge Wharf Yacht Centre – a lovely place up the River Frome which comes out into Poole Harbour. Sunday 1st April is the planned departure date – so watch this space!
Hurkur in the yard at Ridge Wharf Saturday 31st March 2007 Last morning at work yesterday and what a last week! (But that’s another story!) I finished early at 12 noon, said my goodbyes and Eddie and I got a taxi at 1pm to Eastbourne Station, train to Haywards Heath, change there for Southampton Central, then change for Wareham, then another taxi (miserable driver!) to Ridge Wharf Yacht Centre. We arrived about 6.30pm in the daylight. There was Hurkur in all her glory, in the water right along the pontoon. We have water and electric at hand so that is good. I could only bring basic provisions but stocked up with tins and packets last week. We were able to sleep in the rear cabin for the first time. Nice bed but the water was slap-slap-slapping against the stern all night! Until the tide turned anyway. Woke up to a windy day today – but we aren’t going anywhere eat as we have still a lot to do before we are ready. Couldn’t get the toilet to pump water in at first, but one of the nearby boat owners told Eddie to give it some welly and it goes now! There was an air lock I think. Also we couldn’t get the engine to start – ignition was dead, but discovered the key was a bit loose and all is well now. Teething problems are to be expected I suppose until we get to know her a bit more. We filled up the tank with water (took ages as it is so big) and various other essential jobs. We had a problem getting the electric pump to pump the water through, but Hugh (the previous owner) said the tank needs to be under pressure and helped us sort this problem out. I don’t think we will be leaving tomorrow as there is a windy forecast again – maybe Monday. I still can’t believe I am a lady of leisure now – we can take as long as we want to get home with no pressure of time. Hay-ho, it’s a hard life.
Here we are on the pontoon at Ridge Wharf looking towards the hoist and marina office. Monday 2nd April 2007 Woke to a sunny, calm day. This is officially my first day of not working. As you can see we did not leave on Sunday – too windy. We didn’t fancy trying to berth Hurkur for the first time in Pool Quay in a force 7! So today we go. Prepared to leave at about high tide, and Hugh came aboard for a last cup of tea and waved us off. I think he felt a little sad to see her go – after all he had owned her about 8 years and you do get attached to boats.
Leaving Wareham Everything went smoothly and she turned in the river on a sixpence – we were both so worried it would all go horribly wrong! A breezy gentle trip to Poole down the River Frome – Eddie phoned Poole Quay first to get our berth, B7 port side to. The wind was blowing a Force 5 by the time we got there and from the North East so would blow us into the berth. I got my spring rope ‘brake’ ready and put that on first. It did the trick and all went very well. All my worrying was unnecessary, but preparation is the key. A lovely Westerly 33 called Cinderella, who we passed as we came down to Poole (he was tick-tacking across the bay) came into a berth soon after us. Unfortunately they did get blown into their berth and mounted the pontoon in front, but no real harm was done. Eddie went to give a hand, and they told him they had just bought her and were only used to dinghies! So, SNAP, two maiden voyagers! We had our showers in the new porta-cabins – very basic but at least clean and warm. They are placed on the pavement outside marina so it feels like you are showering right in the middle of the town!! You can hear passers-by and at one point there was a ‘CLUNK’ – I thought I was going to be hooked up and towed away in the middle of my ablutions! Eddie produced his letter with a free complimentary stay here so it cost us nothing to stay. We hope to leave tomorrow early depending on the forecast. We have been told they are full up for Easter so we can’t dilly-dally.
Poole Quay Yacht Harbour Tuesday 3rd April 2007 Forecast for today was 4-5 occasionally 6, so we decided to go for it. Got up early (5.30am alarm!) and left on low tide about 6.30am. Chilly, but lovely morning, and Poole Harbour was beautiful and peaceful at that time of morning, but once we got to sea it was a different story! Avoided the chain ferry on way out and followed the buoys through small boat channel at entrance. Then the sea got up, and it was the top end of a Force 6 or maybe 7 at times and the sea was moderate (which in my language is rough!). Not a pleasant trip, and we were glad to get into the Solent and within sight of Lymington. We motored all the way, and Hurky didn’t miss a beat. We were impressed with the way she handled the sea conditions. Tussled with the I.O.W. ferries on way in and berthed on G5. We popped a fender but that’s all – so pretty good berthing for second time. Had a lovely hot shower in excellent facilities here, and after a stroll into town past the seawater swimming pool and a wander round the quaint harbour here, we returned to eat aboard. Forecast is for winds easing, so hopefully get to Chichester tomorrow. Wednesday 4th April 2007 Well the forecast changed of course, and said more of the same (4-5, occasionally 6). We woke to a lovely sunny ‘calm’ morning but cold. We left Lymington on a lovely sea, but within about one hour it had got up again. The sea calmed down a little near Cowes entrance, then really picked up as we approached Chichester. Managed to avoid all the ferries and tankers on the way (phew!) and called up Sparkes Marina who gave us Berth C8. This was our first time at this marina, and found the approach a bit confusing but got in OK, and a young man was waiting for us at the entrance. He directed us to a berth alongside the harbour wall. Sparkes had changed their minds about the other berth as the N.E. wind was very strong and berthing there could have been a bit tricky. We tied up with his help and had a nice beer in the bar on site. The marina is on Hayling Island, and has beaches very close by – would be a lovely place to come to in the summer. We were told there were some take-aways fairly nearby so decided to take a walk and find one. It was quite a long walk through a residential area, until we found a little shop and a couple of chip shops and Chinese take-away. We settled on chips, as the Chinese didn’t have any Spring rolls, Eddie’s favourite!! There seemed an abundance of For Sale signs everywhere. Returned to the boat and the tide had gone out leaving us sitting in what seemed like a big mud hole! It is spring tides now and the whole marina is surrounded by mud banks – arriving on the top of the tide we hadn’t noticed this.
These pics of Sparkes were taken when the tide was high! Thursday 5th April 2007 Good Friday tomorrow and they forecast a good Easter weekend. Certainly started well today – we had slight seas and Force 2 most of the way. It was a bit tricky coming out of Sparkes as it was very low tide and we were wedged in between two very new Bavarias, but the harbour chap came along on his work boat and gave us a nudge out. We left about 9am – two hours after low tide, so we could get over Chichester Bar. When we reached Looe Channel the water changed from glass-smooth to very choppy – it was remarkable, but you could have drawn a line in the water where it changed.
Tried to capture phenomenon on camera but not very successful! When we were off Littlehampton the Coastguard was out – a body had been found at 10.30am and they were looking for an empty boat or something. But they came on radio later to say the body was from a previous incident. Glad we didn’t bump into it! Got to Brighton and radioed in for a berth – only the one they gave us (6, 46) was taken so we had to tie up on waiting pontoon. Very annoying and stressful. They eventually gave us another one 9, 5 – which was bigger anyway – the previous one would have been much too small. We were in between to live-aboard boats and very near ablutions, etc. Eddie bumped into Mel and Katrina when he went up to office; they are here for a couple of days, so asked them round later for a drink. We went to our favourite place for a meal – Wetherspoons!! When we came back all the starlings had descended onto the marina and were sitting on all the yacht rigging – it was a fantastic sight.
Starlings jigging in the rigging Good Friday 6th April 2007 Had a nice catch-up chat with Mel and Katrina yesterday evening. They liked the boat – said it had a nice ‘feel’ to it. They plan to stay on for a few more days and enjoy the weather. We set off in morning about 9am – no rush today because we only have about 18 miles to go. Same weather as yesterday – a beautiful day and no wind. (Still North Easterlies though). It was exciting getting back to Sovereign Harbour – the Regatta was on for Easter weekend but fortunately they hadn’t started when we arrived so the lock was quite empty. Got onto our pontoon F20, with no trouble and David (Marilo – Centaur) came round to see us intending to give us a hand but we beat him to it. Then we saw Chris and Ivy whose new Southerly is also on our new pontoon. Then John, Ann (Kiwi – Centaur), Andrew and Meryl (Swadeshi – Sadler) came to have a quick look too. In between all that we managed a shower and tidy up! Everyone seemed impressed with Hurkur, especially John of course, being a Westerly man! After a clear up we decided to go home for a good sleep – to return next day and give Hurkur a scrub down, etc. It feels good to get her home and now we can really get cracking on the spruce-up!
Hurky Monkey (my mascot)
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