May 2016 - The Shakedown Cruise that never was!

This year we have been thwarted by the weather - our plan was to have a week sailing and check that everything works prior to our long journey in the summer. Best laid plans of mice and men! So rather than being out on the boat we have stayed in Ipswich as there was just too much wind to go out. It feels like winter not early summer, however as always we are quite snug in Rascal.

We really wanted a good shakedown as we have done so much to the boat. In fact we have moved onto next years list! Our bank balance is a good bit lighter but we are happy with all we have had done and we are getting ready for 2017 when we hope to head to the med.

A list of things we have done this year.

• New sails - we have been so looking forward to trying them out but every time we have tried the weather has not been right. Roll on retirement when we can sail when be want rather in prebooked windows of opportunity.
• New nav system - like the sails we desperately want to try this out.
• This includes AIS that also transmits - the previous one just received.
• The wind vane at the top of the mast has been replaced and now works. Doing this also showed that the shrouds had originally been fitted into the wrong holes - this was rectified.
• A massive goal post in stainless steel constructed to house our wind generator and solar panel. Both working wonderfully (especially the wind generator). This means we will not be dependent on shore power and will have more choice where we moor/anchor and for how long. We also have the frame work for the Bimini built into this and a Bimini cover made. 
• John has carried out the engine service. (Getting ready for when we are on our travels and need to do it ourselves.)

In a couple of weeks we are going to have the stern leg seal changed. Although there is a lot of debate about whether this should be done or not if it is not leaking ours is coming up for 13 years old. If something went wrong then the insurance would be invalid so we are having it done. Hopefully we will then have a shakedown weekend sail at the end of June, prior to setting off at the end of July. However, if we can't we will just have to delay our start date to Holland.

We still need to fit the cockpit table that is in it's box. When we got a nice enough day to fit it, we realised there was no template with the fitting kit. So that could be done in Holland - we have managed long enough without a table.

Another job is trying to figure our how to fix the outboard on the back. We did need a new bracket, but since the new stainless work has been completed we don't seem to have enough straight stainless in a convenient place to fix it to. A problem that will be resolved - John might have to make his own bracket. 

I have now started on the list of jobs for next year - it should be shorter but I can always find things to add to a list.

Hopefully my next bit of the blog will be when we are in Holland. Time to tidy up, pack up and head home.

Veere then home. August 2015

Leaving Middelburg we intended to go to Veere. First we had to go through a lock. This was a different experience to the lock at Vlissinghen which we had to ourselves. Many boats were milling around waiting for the lock to open. Once the lock opened it was every man for himself to get in. But once we were in everyone was helpful, taking ropes etc. It was a bit like how many boats can you fit in one lock.

Our original intention was to stay at Veere but it was full so we went to a Marina just beyond. We were able to walk from Veere from here. A picturesque town, we were there at a festival so it was full of stalls and folk in national dress. Despite the rain it was fun.

Veere - totally full.

Luckily there was room down the road.

 We had been keeping a close eye on the weather and realised that to get a good weather window we would have to go back to the UK sooner rather than later. From Veere we went to Colijnsplaat and the Roompot Marina. Here we were able to refuel before going back home. Between Colijnsplatt and Roompot we were actually able to sail, albeit very slowly with lots of tacking but it was fun.

Leaving Holland we had decided on a day sail. This was a good day but the downside was hitting the Suffolk coast as night fell. We decided that in future the night bit is best in the north sea. However we successfully navigated our way back to Ipswich Haven Marina. The whole journey took 21 1/2  hours which included going back up the Orwell.

Sunrise off the Dutch Coast

Sunset off the Suffolk Coast

Next year we have decided we will go back to the Netherlands but we will start where we left off and head straight for Roompot. I will write a blog as we go along rather than a retrospective one.

Vlissingen and beyond

Straight across from Breskens is Vlissingen. A short but busy stretch of water here is the lock to let you into the inland water ways. Surprise surprise we didn't have to wait we just went straight in. I had been so worried about this but it was all quite straightforward. We then met the bridges - the short run to Middleburg took a while as we had to wait for the different bridges. We waited about 40 minutes at the first bridge - when it finally opened over 40 boats came rushing through. I lost count. We were the only boat going through our way and nearly didn't get through before it shut.

The canal was everything we hoped it would be.

Middleburg was a beautiful little town. We managed the box mooring with help from the neighbours, however getting off the boat was not my most dignified moment. For followers of Father Ted think of the housekeeper (Mrs Doyle) jumping off the windowsill. That was me until the neighbours took pity and lent us a stool.

Getting off the boat.

Breskens

Breskens is a small seaside resort and is fine for a couple of days stay. One of our neighbours warned us about some bad weather heading our way and advised that we stayed longer. As local knowledge is always a good thing we stayed put for another couple of nights. As we had seen most there is to see in Breskens we jumped on a bus to Bruges.

Some of the sights of Breskens.

This amazing painting of the five loaves and two fish was on the wall at the fish harbour.

An unusual fish shop.

The beach.

An art installation in the marina.

Holland 2015 Across the North Sea

People talk about their first channel crossing, To heck with that we did the North Sea first. The original plan was to sail to Ostend, stay there and then work our way up to the Netherlands. However, we were worried about red diesel and whether or not yachts were being fined. It's hard to work out the myths from the reality. After several passage plans we decided to go direct to Breskens. Even though the tide wasn't until the afternoon we decided once again to spend the night before at Ha'penny Pier. This meant that not only did we have a good meal at the Alma but we had a good brunch before we set off.

 

 At 13.40 we slipped out ropes and set off - our biggest adventure to date. We had our passage plan and were ready for the long journey. This tide was chosen  so that we would leave the British Coast in daylight and arrive at the Belgium Coast after dawn.

In many ways the journey was uneventful and we mainly motor sailed. There was a time that we could have sailed but I found it odd sailing into the pitch black. I felt more in control with the motor. We arrived on the Belgium Coast with the sunlight filtering through but it was a misty morning. So we headed up the coast towards Breskens. We had timed it so we would hit a fair tide round Breskens.

The journey up the coast seemed endless and boring we couldn't see much of the coast and it all looked very grey. However all at once we had arrived. We elected to put the sail down outside the harbour however there would have been room inside.

We quickly found the pontoon where we had to tie up to. But being tired we didn't see the notice saying ring the harbour master and a small phone. I set of walking and it seemed miles away. I had almost arrived when the harbour master came down the steps and jumped on a bike, explaining that I should have rung - so I walked back with him.

We were allocated a berth and set to find it - a we moored up I noticed it was exactly 24 hours since we had left Harwich! A quick sandwich, as although we had drunk copious amounts of tea on the crossing we didn't eat much, and then to bed for a couple of hours.

Aug 2014 continued -Up the Thames

The journey up the Thames was uneventful - but fun, despite it being a long motor. A yacht club were having an outing to London and staying in the same marina as us. We were pleased to see them leaving at the same time as us. It meant we had got our sums rights with the tides!

Some of the sights going up the Thames.

Queen Elizabeth Bridge

Going through the Thames Barier

The Dome

We stayed at Limehouse Marina for the week. A super friendly Marina which is minutes from the Light Docklands Railway. Our original plan had been to stay at St Kats, but they weren't very accommodating/organised when we tried to book. As it was August we needed to book ahead. However we don't regret not getting in there as we thoroughly enjoyed our week at Limehouse and it was a great base to get around London.

Rascal at Limehouse

Our original plan was to go down to Ramsgate and nip across to Calais - our first channel crossing. But Huricane Bertha put paid to that. Instead we went down the Medway and stayed at Gillingham Marina. Our first choice was Chatham but it was full however Gillingham was a nice marina and our first introduction to box moorings. From there we got a train to Rochester and also walked to Chatham Historic Dockyard. Well worth a visit

Greenwich

Greenwich

Only fair that as I took Rascal through the barrier coming John took her through going back.

August 2014 - Bradwell and Queenborough.

This was the year we started doing more on Rascal. The first outing was not an unqualified success - the idea was to go to Bradwell area via Ha'penny pier.
We got to Ha'penny pier - what a night. The wind blew and boy was it rough - very rough. It was like sleeping in a washing machine, or not sleeping. Things were further complicated by me having left medication at home and having to replace it. By the time we were ready to go we had missed the tide and were still tired. So back to Ipswich Haven Marina for the night. But not to be put off we set off the next morning and got to Bradwell after a wonderful sail. We spent three nights three and walked to an old church whose building could be traced back to Roman times. Sadly work beckoned so back to Ipswich again.

In August we had decided on London as our destination. Once again we stayed at Ha'penny pier - this gives us a two hour start in the morning so is super for an early tide. Also there is a rather nice pub called the Alma that does super food.

The first part of the journey was to Queenborough, tides meant a 6 am start, which was fine for us but I did feel sorry for the small blue boat as we were the one in the middle.

A good journey to Queenborough.

Windfarm enroute.

Couldn't resist a picture of this magnificent boat in full sail.

As it was low tide when we approached the Medway, the wreck of the Richard Montgomery was very apparent.

On a mooring buoy at Queenborough