Steps,Stoogies,Fast Response Curry and Wide Hipped Women

6th to 10th September 2010.

Boat : ELAN " Liver Bird" 38' 2007.

Crew : Pal Johnson (Late of Master Chef) Bob Hayes (Holder of the Sleeping at Altitude Record, Sea Level Category) Roy Burkill (Boats Bladder Control Champion) Jim Hoyle (Boats Cholesterol Regulator) Trevor Postle (Chief Navigator, Ships Photographer) Roger Bignell (Skipper and Keeper of The Flaming Ring)


Monday 5th September.


Previous weeks weather superb but predictions of The Four Horsemen of The Apocalypse arriving today being underlined by monsoon weather on Roy's and mine journey to Plymouth. Roy driving his swish Merc which has a water sensitive windscreen and wipes at the hint of moisture. Broke journey to see and give Mel a good luck hug.


Contact the rest of the team and they are all on their way.


We stop at a local Salisbury's to stock up for the week. Still raining. Provisions cost circa £100 and we don't seem to have bought very much.


Diversion into Marina met boys in bar and decided to eat as did not want to stock boat in rain. Anyway the barmaid had a couple of bronzed boobs that she seemed determined to show off. She obviously did not know how close she came to having to do CPR. At our age, the strain of trying to remember what to do, given the opportunity, is too much!


Anyway rain finally stopped and had to endure a long "Spoon Counting" takeover by "Liberty Yachts" Layout of boat similar to all the others (Designed for the charter market) except two stupid steps on the cabin sole, everyone tripped over and cursed the at least half a dozen times.


Some small faults found but she seemed sound enough.


Finally Liberty Yachts left and we decided, too late to go sailing, so a visit to The Dolphin was proposed. Found out that Sutton Lock closed at 2130! so would have to taxi back if later.


The "Dolphin" has been decorated! sacrilege, blasphemy, the heretics have daubed over a national heritage, Bah, Humbug! you can even see what the floor is made of!


It was so unsettling that we could only manage two pints before moving on to find an Indian. Ate in The Eastern Eye, where all tastes were accommodated. I had a Chefs Special Curry, which at the time was delicious but was to come back and haunt me for the following three days.


Taxied back £5 and settled down for the night.


Tuesday 6th September. Night.




Extraordinary night, extraordinary sounds. From the fore cabin, ripping sheet noises followed closely by loud groans and windows opening, door opening then curses at both steps encountered, another door, more weird noises then the pump going, door opening, Jim in mid cabin, adding to the cacophony, curses as steps encountered again, door opening, finally loud snores. This was the pattern for the whole night as the Chefs Special reeked (Good choice of word!) its revenge on the Skipper.
















Tuesday 0900

Weather sunny with some clouds. Light SW wind. Slip and motor sail to Foey. Arrive 1230. Talk to harbour master who said we could pick up any buoy in Pont Pill. Successful pick up then skipper changes mind and rafts on pontoon. Sun shining with dark clouds threatening.


Lunch on board then zzzzzzzzzzzzzz.


Paul stays on board to prepare his gourmet supper as the rest of the crew catch the water taxi ashore to sample the flesh pots of Foey. Ferryman looked like a minature Churchill with a cigar as big as he was. It seems he lives in London and just comes down for the season to run his taxi!


We all have a £1 shower at The Gallants Yacht Club. Now smelling more acceptable head for the pubs.


Selected a pub, not for the beer more for an attractive barmaid who had large child bearing hips, or so I was informed.


Back to cigar smoking ferry man and finally boat.


Paul waiting in the cabin with the table laid for 6. Superb gourmet meal with fine wine. Too tired to talk all slipped off to their respective berths for an early night.



Wednesday 0600.



Find Bob in an extraordinary position He has built up a 4' seat adjacent to the chart table with all available cushions so that is level with the chart table. He then slept partially on the cushions and partially on the chart table in a foetal curve! It would seem that Paul had lost his Hannibal Lecter mask and snored all night forcing Bob from the shared cabin, and in a desperate attempt to escape the cacophony to move and climb to the farthest and highest point in the boat to get some sleep.

Change of passage plan, decided to head for Salcombe. Estuary is foggy and there is a threat of rain. Paul ? ashore to buy papers and water then off. Very little wind so under engine head east.

1430 just off Bolt Head engine revs suddenly died then picked up again! Water in the fuel?

Moored V7 strong tide running. Boys went ashore I stayed on board for zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz then to watch the estuary, lovely!

They said that The Yacht Club was doing a carvery but they fancied something from the Queen Victoria. My stomach has just settled down so will give curries a miss.1800 Joined boys in Fortescue for a quick one then on to The Vic. Poor meal, not worth the money. Went back to boat Jim and Trev stay for a quick one.



Thursday 0700



Moored on short stay pontoon, showers at the yacht club. Bought pasties for lunch.

Motored out through rough bar. Engine dropped revs. Called Liberty Yachts they suggested carrying on and to call lifeboat if in difficulty!!
Sails up, its a cracking day with a good wind and the tide in our favour. Super sail into Plymouth.Electrics went blank then came back on!!!
Anchored in Cawsands Bay for food and a zzzzzzzzzzzz.
Motored up The Hamoaz to look at the war ships.
0730 Moored Q.A.B. Run ashore for beer and chips.



Friday



Cleaned up boat and did hand over questioned cost of fuel. They are looking into it!

Sailing in Liver Bird

Double click on above to see all pictures.

The Great Island Adventure July 2010

The boat a 34' Beneteau "DRIFTER"















Crew. "Passage Crew" to the Guernsey Nigel Lambert (Skipper) Rob Harman, Ben Jones and Ben Readhead.

Crew. "Intermediate Crew" for Island hopping. Nigel Lambert, Mike Brown, Roy Burkill and Roger Bignell
The Skipper. A seasoned sailor with many sea miles under his belt. A late convert from Stink Pots. Sensibly married to a gorgeous girl who is also a Skipper. How lucky can one man get!
Roy, long time crew member having sailed hundreds of miles with Roger. How lucky can one.....
.
Roger, Yacht Master and Roys sleeping partner, How lucky can one ...........
Mike, Cabin Boy, Crew fitness Guru and Fisherman. Probably Shawns crime boss.


Crew. "Final Crew" for Island hopping and return passage. Becky Lambert and Nigel Lambert.



















Passage Plan. Queen Anne Battery Plymouth, Torquay Marina, Portland Marina, Cherbourgh, Aldernay, Guernsey, Jersey, St Malo, then return to from whence she came.

It should be noted for the record, that the above passage was a scaled down version of Nigels original intention to sail the whole coastline of Great Britain in six weeks. However after a number of telephone conversations this was modified to a more realistic journey.

I guess there have been a number of planning meetings about this adventure by all personnel involved but the only ones that I can report with any degree of accuracy are "The Intermediate Crew" ones. In total there were three. One at The Fox Inn, Old Down and the rest at The Three Brooks. Contributors to these meetings were not necessarily potential crew members, hence the presence of Dean and Shawn on a couple of occasions. However Shawns plans for the Great Tesco Till Robbery was an interesting, if somewhat alarming diversion.

The meeting at The Fox was probably the most valuable as actual charts and pilot books were examined. There, amongst the debris of the Faggots and Gammon the passage plan was outlined. It was debated that the Intermediate Crew (Us) would either fly or ferry to Guernsey. The principal objection to going by ferry was the ungodly hour of the departure time. However Roy undertook to research the options and subsequently reported that we could leave the booking of the ferry until two weeks before departure. This was misinformation by the ferry company as the price had risen by £30 a head and we had to pay for different return port.

The Great Island Hopping Voyage Begins.

Early June 2010

The first part of the voyage surprisingly went to plan as Nigel and Becky brought "Drifter" from Plymouth to Torquay in some fine sailing weather. I think having Becks as a crew member answers the incredulity posed in this paragraph. Because, with any other crew "Drifter" would have been wind-bound in Salcombe for at least a week!

23rd June 2010

1800 Traveled with Roy Burkill in his new huge Mercedes to The Three Brooks to meet Nigel, Mike, and Dean. Shawn could not attend as he was casing Liddle!
The meeting was very productive and centred around one crews members baggage allowance. It was felt that in line with "Virgin Airlines", who have reduced their allowance from two 50lb bags to one 50lb bag, this particular member would have to discard his double quilted, feather filled, folding mattress. All agreed and the beef burger, gammon, chicken and tortilla chips complemented the smug feeling of something achieved! Mike scarily stated that he intended to drive and navigate on the forthcoming voyage

30th June 2010

Delivered a Channel Island Brochure to Skippers house and received e mail of thanks he also said that the original first leg ( Torquay, Portland, Cherbourgh, Aldernay, Guernsey) was going to be modified to (Torquay, Guernsey) the reason being that there was bad weather predicted for Sunday the 4th July so a direct route on Saturday 3rd seemed prudent.To use the tides, it was decided that they would set off at 0400 assuming a 13 hours journey at 5 knots. The tides were at neaps so the E/W sets could almost be discounted. I think the course is 155T however this is from memory.

3rd July 2010 2000



Have watched "Seaside Rescue" on TV and no reports of vessels in distress so assume that all is going well and Drifter is in site of Guernsey.












Text from Skipper : He is moored in St Peters Port sucking a cold one! Presumably he means a bottle of beer.

Sunday 4th July 1100

Text from Nigel in answer to my request for passage details :

0400 Start Saturday morning!
Passage period 14 hours
Wind force 2 to 4
Course 158 degrees
2200 Mooring fun in Marina.

Plan for Sunday :
Sailing to Aldernay arriving about 1800
Tides : Look interesting!

Sunday 1800

Text from Skipper : Aldernay. Great sail sun, blue sky. Going ashore to impress locals and get pissed.

N.B. There are slightly more Forts on Aldernay than there are pubs and there are a lot of Forts! On a earlier sailing trip to Aldernay I was lucky enough to be introduced to the ex vicar of Bermuda who owned one of the Fisherman's Cottages overlooking the bay (Incidentally the town is called BRAY so he could be The Vicar of Bray! L.O.L.). He kindly took us for tour of the Island and his description of Aldernay was " 2,000 drunks clinging to a large rock".


Monday 5th July

E mailed and rang Mike to get his address. It would appear that on Mikes mobile I come up as his sister. Memo to self : Check on boat sleeping arrangements. Mike said "Should he bring his fishing rod?" I said "Have you got one?" He said "No!"
Roy called in to check final journey arrangements.

Tuesday 6th July

Skipper rang from Jersey where they are staying for a couple of days. He said that they found Aldernay very quiet.Good Tai meal but no life in the pubs, so Monday morning at 0430 caught the tide down to Jersey. The weather has been perfect for sailing and they want to Go Foreign, St Malo, before returning to Guernsey on Friday.

1200

Just had an e mail from Nigel Bright who has been cruising the Channel Islands and will be heading home Wednesday.

Wenesday 7th July

Text message from skipper "Arrived in St Malo, Interesting experience negotiating lock gates. Weather great. Not much wind Force 2. Heading back to Guernsey on Friday or earlier if weather changes".

Friday 9th July

Text message from Skipper they should be back in Guernsey by 1700.

Skipper rang from Guernsey. It seems that the "Passage Crew" have an early plane to catch and we may cross them. Skipper wants us to ring him when we land on Saturday morning, he says he will be up.

Rang Mike (Answer phone) and Roy and updated them.

Saturday 10th July 2010

The Intermediate Team set off. Roy and Rog check that the Condor leaves the dock successfully ....



......Whilst Mike checks out the galley! He recons stewardess are like B.A. but fatter.

The Skipper welcomes his crack team to St Peters Port Guernsey!

Nigel welcomes the crew and passage plans are discussed. Mike suggests Brixham. Nigel says that later on in the year they are taking Shawn to Butlins as he needs to get experience with the older women. Is this a sailing plan?


Had breakfast in a Greasy Spoon near Marina which is popular with locals. V Good. Mike has salt and a full English! Noted a Lobster salad was £11.

Gathering intelligence Part 1 Found out that Wednesday was Bastille Day in St Malo. It will be very crowded in the marinas and you cannot book in advance.

1130 weather hot with a breeze.

Shopping for fishing tackle and food in M&S. Nigel says that when Becks comes he will use the boat as a caravan. Roy reckons this will wear the keel down.

Lunch on board: Wine, Bulls Dick, Humus Dip then sleep.

Supper at the Ship restaurant on the Marina. Served by Latvian waitresses. Moules Frites and 2 bottles of wine gets Nigel rambling.

Roy fell out of bed.

Sunday 11th September 2010. 0600

Off to Jersey. Weather warm with some drizzle. Under engine. Fishing. Felt queasy trying to make VHF work.

1400 Rafted on waiting pontoon with about 70 other boats. Some rafting eight deep with no shore lines. There is going to be tears! Mike making Spam sandwiches.

1600 Entrance to Marina open. 50 boats heading for 12 foot gap to get in before leaving boats join the fray. Chaos!

Nigel moored "Drifter" on finger pontoon. Distance today 34NM

1900 In town watched football on TV! boring. Roy slips into a coma with excitement. Fish and Chips back on the boat.

Monday 12th July 2010. 0900

Heavy rain in the night. No wind. VHF, no sound on receive. Nigel contacting suppliers.

Forecast strong winds for middle of week which stops us heading further south.

1000 Locked out, sun shining. Anchored in St Aubins Bay. Rubber duck out and Roy and I go ashore and Nigel takes a dip. Mike still fishing.

1700 Following bacon and egg sandwiches locked in. Moored next to couple from Harwich.

2000 Mike had trouble climbing off boat. Decided he is going to donate his body to medical science.

Chinese meal in The Diamond. £90 I will have to die on Thursday at this rate of spend.

Nigel's tells us that a former girl friend used to collect and Analise foreskins as they contain information about the body. The mind boggles!

Mike gets ready for bed.

Tuesday 13th July 2010. 0740

Nigel on deck as he slept badly. Doctor Roy recons that Mike snoring is caused by reflux!

Mike gets bombed by Herring gulls.

0950

Waiting for VHF fitter to come and replace set. Weather overcast with some rain. Mike goes shopping for beer and Roy and I shop for victuals. I am going to make a Spag Bol tonight.

The girls in the town are expensively dressed, great shoes! Roy recons I have a shoe fetish!

Gathering Intelligence Part 2. Found a bike hire place and decided to cycle the 15 mile round trip to Corbier Lighthouse.

Mike stops for breath!

Found a monument to life saving following a ship hitting a rock in a force 5. Apparently 307 passengers were saved with the help of God and many strong arms! Whats God got to do with it he put the bloody rock there in the first place!!!!

Spag Bol for supper, played cards then bed.

Wednesday 14th July 2010 0750

Roy bought some very cheap sailing shoes and delighted in telling us that they were sold with two pairs of laces and wondered why! The clue is in the outer lace holes Roy!

Mike recons the second laces are for tying the shoes together then throwing the shoes over telephone lines,this will mark the edge of his territory. There are not that many turf wars in Duckhol. Roy has yet to wear the shoes.

Gathering Intelligence Part 3. As bad conditions until week end, suggested that we jump ship and head for home. Nige was quite relaxed about this and said it gave him the opportunity to do all the little jobs that have been accumulating. I think he means clean the boat up before inspection by Becky.

0915 Changed booking to 1300 this afternoon.

1030 Said goodbye to Nigel and left for home.


More Pics? Double Click

2010-07-15 Sailing Guernsey and Jersey

Hell! What was that?

Sunday 13th September 2009

Boat: "Blue Lady" a Halbergh Rassy 345

Crew: Self , Roy Burkill, Jim Hoyle and Doug Collett.

Weather forecast for the week: Light North Easterly winds... Hah!!!

Intended passage: France and all points south...Bah!!!

Calories in 50,000
Calories used 10





1030
Tried to persuade Mary not to decorate front bedroom when I was away. Knowing her I would be unsuccessful. Picked blackberries in drive. Roy is going to pick up Doug and wait at Falfield for Jim and I to join them.
1230
Arrived in Marina too early, walked into Hamble and had an ice cream then Sunday lunch in The Ketchrigger.
1400 Boat will not be available until 1900. Hell, more drinking.
1900 Took over boat, wind N.E 3 motored to Yarmouth.
2130 Wind increased to a N.E.6 straight into Yarmouth entrance. Inside marina its very difficult, no pontoon space, pitch black and very windy. Moored near entrance then saw "No mooring sign" Tried again...Loud bang (What the hell was that?) Backed boat into piling and damaged transom!! Bollocks, first time I have touched a boat in 65 charters. Moored in "No mooring area"




Very noisy night.
Monday 14th September. 0730
Have crushed fiberglass lip at the bottom of the stern. If last claim is anything to go by, £40 for a fender, then this will cost!
Very strong N.E.winds forecast, we must be on the cusp of the high pressure that is dominating the U.K. Will it move?
Decided to stay at mooring until wind drops a tad. Jim cooking a full English so no hope of dieting this week.
1030 Wind dropped to a 5 so full main and reefed genoa set and a brisk sail East having decided that the new forecast, as told to us by guys on the Marina, promises strong NE winds for a couple of days. It is windy but also sunny! is this England?
1430 Dropped sails and motored up to The Folly at East Cowes. Salad lunch (Salad???) on boat followed by a long zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.


1845 Woke to find Doug doing the washing up. Sun shining but still very windy.
Motored to "Shepherds Marina" shower then drinks in the pup where the large chested maid was last seen. No maids only Germans! Fish and chips, Jim having an Indian, he has a delicate digestive system which restricts him to only eating saturated fats and curry.
Tuesday 15th September
0730 Hellish night with wind up to a 7. Up three times to add mooring lines as even the pontoon rocking and rolling. Sleeping in aft cabin is like being in a washing machine tied onto a bucking bronco. When I looked in the morning I had 10 mooring lines connecting boat to pontoon. Wherever the pontoon was going so were we!
1030 Another full breakfast prepared by Doug, I'm glad he came! Complicated but safe
slip from the pontoon in strong wind, no damage. Some blue sky.Sea choppy heading East for Portsmouth. Entered Portsmouth using the war memorial/doughnut passage. Moored Halsar Marina near Lighthouse, in a sheltered berth.
Forecast force 8 Dover, Wight and Plymouth. Hmmmmm
Lunch on board then a siesta. Ferry to Portsmouth, cash machine swallowed my debit card again. Walked to shopping centre, Doug and Jims rolling gait makes look like whalers back home after two years before tha mast, all they needed was a couple of parrots. Then up The Spinnaker Tower with transparent floor. Very impressive.
Realised it was a bit early to go into a pub and walking was not an option so decided to kill time at a movie. Skipper persuaded crew that Julie, Julia starring Meryl Streep was the film to watch. Wrong!! At it was too early for film went into Slug and Lettuce and had wine and aperitifs. Film was about two cooks and was v boring. We should have seen "The Portrait of Julian Gray. Jim reckoned that in his case it was the other way around for him as he has a handsome portrait of himself in the attic.
2100 Too late to eat at The Lighthouse so drinks and supper on board.
Calm start to the night then strong winds returned. Woke midnight scratching found rash over thighs and bum. Porstmouth Pox? Allied copious quantities of Savalon. Will this mean a visit to side door of the B.R.I.!
Wednesday 16th September
1030 following yet another fried breakfast Roy walked into town to get more sausages, milk and bacon. Perhaps my rash is caused by this high fat diet, memo to self, eat some lettuce this year.
1100 Slip was easy, motored over to the warships on Portsmouth side then noticed a police boat near them so changed plans. Heading west under furled jib making 6 knots with ebbing tide. Good sailing westward.
1300 Doug motored up Beaulieu river. Talked to Berth master he warned us off from mooring as there had been a number of incidents that morning with boats trying to moor in strong wind and tide. Decided to moor on mid river pontoon for lunch.
Following yet another doze headed for Lymington. Wind still strong. Called ahead for a sheltered berth and was given F21. Jim took her in but the pontoon fender was secured or not! by a protruding screw. This left a 400mm scratch down S/B side. It was heaping up to be and expensive week.
1900 Walked into town, its a long way, following a pint in the Marina bar and advice on where to eat. Meal in the Kings Head, not bad.
Thursday 17th September
Wind still in the NE forecast Thames, Dover, Wight, Plymouth Gale force 8 NE.
Motored and sailed to The Folly again Lunch in The Folly. Jim pulled a blonde divorcee who came from Rugby and played Boule. Stayed until 1700. Did a deal with the ferry man and decided to extend the lunchtime stop to an over night. Returned to boat for a period to have a zzzzzzzz then back to The Folly for supper. Walked up river with Doug and Roy, Jim resting his ankle. Contemplated a refurbishment of a paddle steamer but Doug felt it would take more than one can of filler. Beautiful evening,no wind and a glorious sunset. Supper listening to music. Undisturbed sleep at last, except for the itching pox! Scurvy?
Friday,
1000 Another fried breakfast eaten on the pretext that we must use things up! Have had so much bacon and sausage have noticed a tendency to drop on all fours and start aimlessly chewing.
Weather overcast and a slight drizzle. Motored to Cowes then attempted to sail to Hamble. Noticed that each tack we lost at least 50 yards as THERE WAS NO WIND!!!!!
Motor on fueled up and received call from office "Where are we as boat was due back an hour ago. Moored "Blue Lady" and cleaned her. Lunch in the Ketch Rigger, vegetable soup? well it was green.
Journey back, Idiot Boards, those that tell you there is a traffic jam on the M4 after you have been sitting in it for at least and hour, informs us that there is a jam on the M5 so deviated at A48.
Home, Mary had decorated the bedroom. Showed her my rash!
No pictures as camera left on bloody boat and it has sailed with new crew after being cleaned by charterers!

Doing a Bartlett

Hamble Point Marina 16th to 19th July
"Blue Lady" Halberg Rassy 34'
Crew, Graham Bartlett, Roy Burkill, Chris Hucker, Steve Pinder.

Thursday
1200 Roy and I stop off at Tescos at Hamble and spend a fortune, mostly on sausages and beer.
1300 Arrive Hamble Point, Blue Lady is not ready as she is having a new water pump fitted. This is ominus, but I didnt tell the lads, as the last time I picked up a Halberg Rassey from here, it was being worked on for a water problem! and it nearly sunk in Poole Bay. Hey Ho!
Rest of team arrive and we decide to walk to Hamble and have lunch. Chris had some rolls he brought with him.
Ate in The ? served by and Italian looking lady who had a harrased husband who cooked. Meal good.
1600 Backed B.L. from berth, she has a feathering prop and did not kick to S/Brd like "Aeolus"

Weather looked threatening, original plan was to go to Yarmouth but decided to divert to Cowes. Cowes Marina full so went to next one and crash landed on an inside berth.
2000 Heavy rain, meal in Cowes, It rained heavily, we had a meal in a pub can't remember what or name of pub.


Friday, This was supposed to be the bad day with strong winds and rain. Motored up the river and showed the crew The Ferry Inn.
Winds favourable so sails up an intended destination Poole.
Good sailing tacking west in The Solent but headed when we exited The Needles for the North Passage. Engine on and full main.
Wind increasing some rain showers.
About half way across Poole Bay now blowing a six. Decided to get main down, lot of shouting and had to go to the mast to free up reefing lines. Did not wear a life jacket! thought about this after and realised "What a prick"!

Chris returned his breakfast to the briney with me steering and holding on to his jacket to stop him joining it.
Entered Poole fairway with wind blowing a 7.
No room at Poole Marina, despite my lying that we had boat problems, so had to raft on harbour wall.
Leading seaman Bartlett, at the helm, decides to do a "U Turn" at speed as all the crew were leaning over the gaurd rail tying on fenders, sharply spoken to by skipper!
Rafted against a German boat, Ranted about bloody Germans being everywher only to find that the guy was very pleasant and he was Belgium.
Went into town to eat at a Chain restaurant, ? , good food I think but was mesmerised by a blond on the next table so cant be sure. Started drinking Corona for some reason. Classic car rally on the habour road.

Saturday,
Became very popular as last night I suggested that we leave at 0400 to catch the tide and avoid being caught in wind over tide at The Needles.

Woke at 0300 by noise of two lads jumping naked into the harbour. Decide not to join them. Crew very sullen! Did not pay any hartbour dues, yipee! thats the first time I have left Poole without a huge hole in my purse. However, I think we lost a fender. Some of the crew have not mastered the clove hitch!!! Im too soft more lash is needed!
Weather calm but cold, nice sunrise so lots of pictures taken.
Wind, as predicted started to blow from the west and boat motion unpleasant. Cooked sausages, decide that was not one of my better ideas. Tossed sausages over the side much to the chagrin of rest of crew. Chris overcome by this and goes below to sleep.
Entered Beauleigh River with the weather improving. Moored on fueling berth.
Went up to Bucklers Hard for drinks when we came back found boat had been moved and we were boxed in. Had lunch and snooze then with assistance slipped.
Headed for The Hamble as forcast not good. Motored up to the strains of "All our yesterdays" as Bartlett relived his misspent youth.

Motored up Itchen river but chickened out at passing under Motorway bridge as could not find mast height in spec. Steve kindly texed me with the height 2 days later which was very helpful!!
Moored at home berth and walked into Hable for supper.
Most pubs full so sat outside The Bugle and viewed a crappy menu. Decided to try the Italian but called in The Victoria on way and booked table, just in case. Lamb shank was delicious.

Sunday
SW wind strong so decided to sail up the Southampton river. Good sail accompanied by three bloody great cruisers. I may have this bit out of sequence.
Force 6 blowing us on to fuel berth, so it was a bit fraught getting B.L. off but Grahams muscular thighs saved the day.
Told Doug about the fender and buggered off home.

Captain Biggars Sailing Logs

Summer 1976
"Pipkee" Golden Hind 30'
Crew Geoff, Wendy, Simon and James Barrett and Roger, Mary, Peter, James Bignell. Pool to Weymouth. Weather: Foggy and warm, no wind.
4 days
140 miles


Summer 1978
"Bold Venture" Coribee 22'
Crew : Alan and Maggs Williams. Out of Salcombe. Weather: ?
2 days
63 miles



Summer 1985
Moody 31"Saradon"
Crew:Alan and Maggs Williams and Mary and Self. Out of Plymouth. Weather: Wet and gusting. My first hearing of Jethro on a tape. Brilliant!
1 day
25 miles


Summer 1986
"Maestro"
Crew: Rob and Gerry Davies and Mary and myself. Out of Dartmouth. Weather: ?
1 day
20 miles



Summer 1991
"Distain" Westerly Consort 31'
Crew: George Turpin, Martin Faux, Nigel Lambert and self. Dartmouth to Guernsey.Weather E4/5
4 days
160 miles




Friday, May 01, 1992
"Distain" Westerly Consort
Crew: George Turpin,Unknown, Martin Faux and self. Intended passage Dartmouth to Geurnsey, abandoned due to sea sickness and contrary winds went to Salcombe. Weather: S4/5 heavy rain and mist.
4 days
80 miles




13th to 14th April 1992
"Distain" Westerly Consort
Crew: Self and Martin Faux
4 days
80 miles


4 to 6 June 1993
"Compensation" Sun Oddesy Jeanneau 40'
Crew: All friends of Doug Watsons and all spirtualists also a badly crippled lad with a foul mouth. Lymington and around Solent. Weather hot no wind.
3 days
60 miles




9 to 11 July 1993
"Redskin" Oyster 40'
Crew: Self, George Turpin, Chris Hucker, Nigel Lambert, Greg Chippet, Mike Brown, Keirnan, Trevor Davies. Passage: Dartmouth,Salcombe, Plymouth and return. SW/4/ Tore main sail leaving Dartmouth. Heavy squalls
3 days
90 miles




"Eau Claire" Kelt 39
Crew: Self, Mike Brown, Nigel Lambert, Gordon Robbins, George Ford, ?????




"Hadajar" Kelt 9 metre
Crew: Irvine and Kay Gale, John and Brenda Broad, Mary.First charter out of Dittisham. To Salcombe. Weather NE" sunny.
3 days
70 miles


16 to 20 Aug 1993
"Neuvelle" Cobra
From Teinmouth with a friend of Guy Lewis. Mean bugger.
5 days
170 miles




3 to 5 September 1993
"Booper" Westerly Ketch
Crew: Dave Baines (dressed as Nelson) Jim Hoyle, Peter Bignell, Geoff Greet, Brian Simms, Trevor Postle. Salcombe Plymouth, Eddystone, Dartmouth
3 days
90 miles




17 to 19 Sept 1993
"Presto" Sigma 33
Crew: Graham Bartlet, James,Jago, Gavin and George.Highest tide of the century.Boys dumped me out of bed during afternoon ZZZZ Dart, Brixham, Teignmouth
3 days
74 miles




1 to 3 October 1993
"Redskin" Oyster 40'
Crew: George Turpin, Chris Hucker, John Inker, Greg Chippet, Paul Davies Bounced boat on stern of moored boats when leaving Darthaven. Tried to exit Dart but big seas forced us back. Then Salcombe and back to Dartmouth. Sw5-6
3 days
70 miles




22 April to 24th 1994
Jasmine Moody 31'
Crew: Mike Neale, Jim Hoyle, Rog Perrin, Richard Hiscocks and Rob Cole Morgan.Rogers birthday present. Weather Showers SW4-5 Drinks @ The Cherub, met attractive locals, Had Chinese drank whiskey that tasted like iodine! Sea rough crew sick motored to Dittisham. Motored to Totnes.
2 days
20 miles




30 to 2 April/May 1994
"Ocean Light"
Crew; James, James Johnson, Justin Lunny, Gavin Quick and Matt Day. Boat in poor order lots missing. Jon said charge replacements to Portway. 3-4 E Saw Dolphins. Roller reefing jammed. Thick fog.
3 days
51 miles




9 to 12 June 1994
"Redskin"
Crew : N.Lambert, C.Hucker, M.Brown, Peter, N.Stolliday, G.Turpin. Passage Dartmouth to Gurnsey. Wind 3/4 full main and No 1 Genoa. Chris sick. Redskin grounded in Victoria Marina. Bus ride around island. S.Africa v England 20-9
4 days
169 miles


13 to 15 Aug 1994
"Arisaig" Nauticat 33'
Crew: R Perrin M Perrin M Bignell T. Postle and Julia Postle.Kingswear to Brixham and Dartmouth. NE 4-5 fog.
3 days
43 miles



27 to 30 May 1994
"Simanifique"
Crew : Arron, James, Mike, Jago, Gavin. Out of Torquay. Drunken Captain of rusting hulk "Woolacombe" going to India. Spotted shark 10' long. Boys almost swept out to sea in rubber duck in Salcombe. Weather E3 to 4.
3 days
130 miles




1 to 3 july 1994
"Arisaig"
Crew: Elaine, Mike, Mary, Chris and Jim.Passage Dartmouth, Newton Ferrers. Rubber duck to Noss Mayo. Carnival at Dartmouth. Anchored off Broad Sands for lunch.Dead seal sighted.
3 days
105 miles



10 to 13 July 1994
"Arisaig"
Crew Janet Arrowsmith, Doug Watson, Evan Hughes, Sally, Mary, Lynda Heath. Off Start point Doug and Jan looked white. Off Salcombe Doug groaning at my feet, took pity and went into Salcombe. Saw Gerry and Rob on "Escapade" Anchored Hall Sands
3 days
?

22 to 24 July 1994
"Arisaig" 32. Nauticat
Crew : Chris, Roy and ? Murder hunt at Bolt Head. Met Gerry and Rob for supper. Back to Datmouth to meet crew. Met Pete and Gill at Salcombe. Sat pm lifeboat out searching for MOB 5 sharks spotted near Bolt Tail.
3 days
120 miles




14 to 20 Aug 1994
"Rondo" 32' Sadler
Crew Self and Mary. James and Kate joined us part time.Dartmouth Dittisham, Newton Ferrers. Weather interesting when we left N.F. crossed bar at LW wind 22 knots. Run to Sacombe then on to Dartmouth.
118 miles


30 to 2 September 1994
"Jasmine" 31' Moody
J.Wilkins cried off, Martin Page, James, Hucker.Passage Dartmouth to Plymouth via Newton Ferrers watched wooden Gig race from Ship Inn Noss Mayo
4 days
67 miles




25 to 28 May 1995
"Olympus of St Maws" Jeanneau Sunfizz 40
Crew : Gavin, Mick, John, Jon, Robert, Martin. 1st charter from Plain Sailing, Georges new Charter Company. Racing in Torbay then Dartmouth watched World cup Scotland v Ivory Coast, Drinks in The Ship Kingswear. Broke stantion.
4 days
42 miles




8 to 11 June 1995
"Arisaig"
Crew: Gavin, Lee Martin, Gregory McHardy, Lorna Waddle, Creig Ashall, Morgan Sloan. Moored near "Pepper" she is up for sale £11,000 "Booper" is sold.Gavin gives safety talk. Basking sharks spotted of Sacombe bar, Moored Q.A.B Plymouth. Great sailing.
4 days
82 miles




30 June to ( July 1995
"Jackaranda" Westerly Consort
Crew ; Elaine, Mike, Mary and Rob, Steph, Rog and Menia part time.Lisa Clayton, around the world sailor in Dartmouth. Met Mike and Deena Bun they offered us their flat for Rob and rest. Salcombe, Newton Ferrers, Q.A.B. Plymouth then Fowey back To Mayflower Marina Plymouth Into N.F girls drunk on gin and martini. Salcombe saw Robs Catalina 32. Met team at Darthaven went to flat, excellent. To Dittisham for rare steak (Just take off its horns and wipe its ass!)
10 days
186 miles




21 July 23 1995
"Glenmhor" Nicholson 32
Crew:Guy Lewis, Marigold, Justin Hucker, Brian Thomas. Boat owned by David Dimblby and moored outside his house at Dittisham.Into Salcombe met Rob Davies he had wrong boat delivered from states. Motored to Plymouth then Q.A.B. moored next to Suhaili Robin Knox Johnsons boat. Difficult berth to get out of with a long keel.
3 days
90 miles





29 Aug to 3/9 1995
"Pepper" Verl 900
Crew: Mary then M.Neale, R.C.Morgan,J.Hoyle.Mary coming from Dartmouth? Missed The Bunns in The Ship. Torquay, had to retrieve halyard from top of mast. Back to Darthaven moored KT20 Geoff Cullums berth.Mary home. Met Jim. Bought sea bass from landlady of Ferry Inn £7.50 ate it at Blackpool Sands. Met Robin and Mike in The Ship Salcombe. Met Lorna Perrin and friends in Fortesque. Good sailing back.
6 days
86 miles





9 to 12 May 1996
Arisaig"
Crew D Bulley, R Low, M Hillier, E Hughes, P Davies, H Newton Will pick up Hills at Salcombe. 2 metre waves of Start and Prawl. Richard Low offering comforting words to Ev and Dunc during their bouts of Mal de Mere.Harry demonstrates rowing technique. Pick up Hills. Newton Ferrers then Plymouth. Low assists Boris ? A Whitbread around the world skipper with his knots! Into "Dolphin" met Plymouth Porn Star. She was told I was crews Dad. Dropped Hills off at Salcombe.
4 days
90 miles


30 to 2 June 1996
"Rondo" 32' Sadler
Crew Kevin Rivers, Tom Gracey, Ian Roberts and two other lads! Tom has written the log which is very detailed. Essentially Darmouth Brixham and Salcombe. Tom gets wet disembarking from a rubber duck . Ian is a "Wave Eater"?
4 days
?


20th June to 30 June 1996
"Pepper" Verl 900
Crew; Brian Thomas Brian Chaney Chris Hucker Guy Lewis. Mary joined me later after boys gone home.Dartmouth, Sacombe, Newton Ferrers, Plymouth, Fowey, Falmouth. Dolphins off Salcombe, fouled anchor in Cawsands Bay
10 days
211 miles





1st Aug to 4th Aug 1996
"Olympus of St Maws" Jeanneau Sunfizz 40
Crew N.Lambert, M.Brown, C.Hucker, B.Hayes, P.Johnson, B. Alcock, P.Smith. Cord wrapped around prop for all the passage making manouvering diffcult. Dartmouth to Plymouth, Newton Ferrers, Salcombe.Wind up to 22 knots. Beaten up by a mad women in The Dolphin, Nite Club "The Yacht Club" met Whittemer Fatbread! Chris and Paul J seasick.
4 days
82 miles



30th Aug to 1 Sept 1996
"Merlin of Clyde". Concrete hull boat. R.R. Crew. Firth of Clyde, Kip, Inchmarnoch, Tabert, Isle of Bute. N.Lambert, Bob Alcock, ?





8th May to 11th May 1997
"Arisaig" Dart and Salcombe. Force 5 to 7



12th June to 15th June 1997
"Bonny Kate" Catalan 30 foot
Crew, Chris H, Justin H, Brian Chaney, Paul Christmas, Paul Davies,
Hamble Point Marina
Seat fell overboard and was expertly rescued practising MOB techniques.
Beulieu, Yarmouth, Poole, Hamble
Weather S4
Log 93NM


20th June to 22nd June 1997
"Arisaig" 32 foot motor sailer,
Crew, Muir, Trich, Mary, Mike and Elaine.
Dartmouth
Weather awful. French yacht brought in by life boat, Husband went overboard at Start Point heard wifes screams over VHF. Just motered to Dittisham and sailed in bay.


11th July to 13th July 1997
"Redwood Shores" Feelling 30'
Crew ; G.Lewis, N.Lambert, N.Stolliday, I.Roberts. Dead fisherman brought onto Events Pontoon.Salcombe, Newton Ferrers. Guy gets the Swan Pub to open.Plymouth, got drunk on the Rowan" a Loch Fyne Skiff. Back to Salcombe for more rejection in The Fortesque"


26th August to 27th 1997
"Seamoon" Brittania Airways boat run by Nigel Parry. Northney Marina haling Island to Cowes.


28th August to 31st August 1997
"Eye of Horus"
Crew, Bob Alcock, Peter Bignell, Bob Hayes, Paul Johnson
Eye of Horus has radar and Navtex. Sprained ankle jumping off boat. Habour Festival in Dartmouth. Could not see Red Arrows. Great meal by Paul. Torquay, Princess Dianna killed in car crash.
50 NM Weather overcast and wind from the SW.


24th My to 7th June. 1998
"Selene" Benteau 345. First flotilla charter to Greece. Lefkas, Kefalonia, Ithica, Mainland. Brilliant !


11th June to 12th June 1998
"Sunfizz" Torbay teambuilding for R.R.11th 12th June 1998
Arranged a walking sailing 2 day trip.
Crews/Walkers Self, Nigel Cooper, Paul Christmas,Andy Ettle Isles, Simon Powell Pat Best, Doug Watson, Roy Pentecost, Paul Davies, and Mad Dog?
Picked up boat at Brixham, cant remeber what it was, sailed to Dartmouth some stayed in Brixham B&B. Company funded.


8th May to 11th May 1998
Arisaig
Crew, Jim Hoyle, Harry Newton, Richard Low, Paul Davies, Evan Hughes, Dincan Bulley.
Forcast 3/4 SW Gusting 5/6
Brixham. Whiskey and Liar dice bad news. At Start Harry feeds the fishes. Then Phil talks to the fishes. Saw basking sharks, Evan feeds the fishes. Dicky Low full of concern and tries to comfort them!!!!! Salcombe, dismasted yacht brought in. Met Carl Stenning. Off Prawl Evan sick.
Arrive Dart and have breakfast. Motored to Totnes.
Weather, Mixed
Log 64Nm


30th July to 2 Aug 1998
"Vega B" Gibsea 304
Crew Chris Hucker, Jim Hoyle, Bob Hayes, Roy Burkill
Dittisham, Salcombe, Newton Ferrers, Plymouth,Salcombe, Dart
Drinks in Ferry Inn waiting for boat, she is in Noss Marina.
Weather 6/7 NW beer in Dartmouth.Good sail to Salcombe, Chris sick. Left Salcombe and sailed to Plymouth. Chris below. Run ashore, in The Dolphin great fun. Good Chinese, Jims fortune cooky promises Chinese experience. Newton Ferrers on a buoy. Salcombe rafted off Yacht Club. Meal in Shipwrights, poor.


7th September to 13th September 1998.
"Cats Whiskers" Bob A, Nigel L, Nigel S, Ian. Strong winds. motoring up the Dart.


18th March 19th March 1999
"?" San Francisco Bay.



10th June to 13th June 1999


"Plain sailing" Brixham, Salcombe.



15th July to 18th July 1999
"Wychway" Plymouth, Fowey, Falmouth, Helford, Mevagissey, Polperro. Blocked intake.



18th August to 20th August 1999
Yachtmasters Exam
"Enya" Delher 34 Brixham Dartmouth. Bloody terrifying. Passed!



27th September to 29th September 1999
"Endeavor" Beneteau. R.R. Team building. I was payed by R.R. and George just to go sailing! Heaven.


3rd June to 18th June 2000
"Korchula" Flotilla sailing Croatia.





22nd June to 25th June 200


"Inspiration" Brixham, Salcombe. Winds WNW 5-6








13th July to 16th July 2000


"Watermark" Brixham, Plymouth. NNW 5-6








20th July to 23rd July 2000


"Eye of Horus" Weather bound in Salcombe. Exciting sailing!








Sept 2000


"Endeavour" Team building for R.R. SW 6-7








14th June to 17th June 2001


"Endeavour" Nigel Bright organised this trip. Crew abandoned before start of trip.








5th to 8th July 2001


"Arisaig" Dartmouth, Salcombe SW 3-4








12th July to 15th July 2001


"Endeavour" Brixham, Guernsey. SSW 4-5








16th July to 22nd July 2001


"Arisaig" Brixham, Plymouth. SSW 6








24th September to 26th Setember 2001


"Landobear" Island Packet 40. Crew form Derby on team building exercise. 6 boats 35 people. Salcombe.





12th May to 25th May 2002

"Tucana" Beneteau 36 Flotilla

Aeolus

Captains Log Stardate 17th July 2008

1200

Arrived at The Hamble checked in with charter office and was given very detailed instructions about what I was signing up for! Boat not ready, it has a water leak. If only I knew then!!!

Steve and I went to Safeway to buy the boats victuals. Forgot list so had to do shopping by memory. Announcement promised a free kitchen tool being given away up stairs.

Bought £80 worth of cholesterol and booze. Lunch in cafeteria then picked up free gift.

1500

Met Chris and Bob in Hamble village for a pint then back to take over Aeolus, a 36' Halberg Rassey

Long takeover counting spoons. Paul Chessman turns up, Paul Johnson has gone to the wrong Marina. Don't think I will let him navigate.

1700

Slipped and went up river to practise reefing as force 6 westerly winds promised. Aeolis has a pronounced kick to starboard in reverse. Boat is impressive, very stable.

Motored sailed to Cowes, Marina it was full, some rally on. Moored on outer pontoon in Sheppards Marina.

1900

Into Cowes for drinks and a Chinese meal in China China. Great food "Hen How" and Tsingsao beer.

Back on board to have a conversation about golf, caravan, ISA's and farting.

Friday 16th July 2008

Log reading 25829

Weather, overcast wind SW 2-3

12 miles to Needles

26 miles to Poole

Tide west going 1100
One of the crack team.

1100

Large home cooked fried breakfast, Bob anointed the cabin sole with bacon fat. Sailed to Needles wind increasing to a force 6. Fender overboard recovery. Engine on. Slamming into waves and water over the bow. About 5 miles out of Poole Steve noticed carpet wet in main cabin and then the oil warning buzzer sounded. Shut down engine and hoisted sail. Checked bilges and boat was awash to cabin sole level, why hadn't the automatic bilge pump kicked in? Tried manual bilge pump and mercifully it reduced water level. However pumping it made crew feel sick and boats violent motion would not allow close investigation for leak. Steve turns green and Chris feeds the fishes. Pumped until we reached the Marina "Rip off by the sea" £34.00 for one night exasibated by P.J. using shore power to charge his phone!

Lifted floors and P.C. found log sender unit dislodged and water coming in at a rapid rate. There are 13 through hull fittings on this boat decided not to check the rest for fear of what we would find.
Called Hamble and they said they would send someone. SeaStart turned up and fixed sender unit and tried to fix automatic bilge pump but failed.

This was skin fitting after Paul C managed to reduce the flow.

Run ashore Classic Cars on show on the front. Chris stays on board on leak watch. Fish and chips in a pub.

Prepared myself for another sleepless night listening to Steve snorting, borrowed P.J. wax balls and stuffed them in my ears. Have given up all ideas of smothering Steve and makeing it look like an accident. Paul J. stuffs his ears with similar then fits his Haniball Lecter mouthpiece which keeps him breathing when he is asleep and snoreing! Hmmmmmm.

Saturday 19th July Log 25862 later found sender now fixed not sending.

Early start with full breakfast after manageing to block out the sounds of the walrus on an iceberg in the next bead.
Complaints from Hannibal about the presentation of his Earl Grey in the morning.
Discussion about where we were when Princess Di died and did we care.

1900

Bob did a difficult manoeuvre out of the Marina, taking the boat with him of course.

Running on Genoa took north passage to Needles. Eyes very sore from sun tan lotion. Spoke to Mum and wished her Happy 85th birthday.

1450

Arrived Yarmouth moored on piling by Paul, Chris, P.J. and Bob ashore to watch cricket. Got some eyewash and my own wax balls from the chemist. Steve and self decide to take a bus tour around the west end of island. Trip takes 40 minutes and costs £9.00. It was the trip from hell, a bus built in 1950 and roads rejected by the Roman roads quality control officers. Within minutes spine was working its way through skull and kidneys swapped places with liver. I have no idea what the views were like as my eyeballs did not stop bouncing until 20 minutes after I got off of the bus. P.J. went back to the boat early to prepare his usual gourmet feast.

1900

Boys playing pool had a beer then back to the boat pass a vision in a black dress. Splendid 3 course meal prepared by P.J. Cheese and tomato starter, Chicken Pasta and Rattatoie main,Topped by Blackbury and Apple Pie. Outstanding.

Sunday 20th July

Chris took Aeolus off the mooring. Decided to use the tide to East until 1100 then beat back to The Hamble. Solent very busy an weather sunny with a strengthening west wind. Cracking beat back to The Hamble, boat sails like a dream.

1400

Packed up contacted Charterers by phone then home..............................................

More pics

http://picasaweb.google.com/biggars39/SolentJuly2008