Some way off the North Coast of France

Some way off the north coast of France, there's an island that's surrounded by fierce tides. It's rolling hills and chalk cliffs look down upon it's wrecks, and hide its secrets. On the Downs, and by the shoreline, the Autumn leaves turn golden, rusty, and red. Some drop, to be blown around by the wind, then crunched under foot by the marauding hoards arriving by boat, blown in on that same wind.

Politely the Harbour Master at Yarmouth, Isle of Wight, tells us the harbour's full. Our Rally is split. The boats that arrived early are rafted-up inside. We leave to anchor outside.

Two weeks later we try again, and drift into the quiet seclusion of Bembridge at the eastern end of the island. Avocette is the party boat. Then it a hike across the causeway to the local yacht club for a warm welcome, victuals, and beer.

It has been a kind autumn so far. Blue skies and warm breezes, have seen Avocette dropping her hook in her old haunts, and the Beaulieu River in the New Forest, and most often of all, in Newtown Creek. It's migration time. Butterflies, Swallows, Martins, Ospreys and Peregrins all flying south. My favourites, the Swifts, are long gone, having left, as usual, during the first week of August. In their place are the winter visitors, waders and the geese - thousands of them! I must get up the marshes...

Avocette - A New Role

It's the end of September, and finally the English summer arrives. The winds go light and variable. The sun comes out. Even the water is warm - well "warm" that is for the UK.

Sailing in tides again brings an extra dimension too. Returning from the Needles I was surprised to see the Shingles bank, like a new island, rising a full meter or more from the sea - and it wasn't yet low tide. The shallow patches in one of my favourite creeks had moved too (glad it was mid-week and empty of other boats!!).

Why is it that any piece of rope, and my mooring strop with pick-up line, when left alone for any length of time will contrive to prove that at 3,854 knots the Ashley Book of Knots is one short! Thanks for the photo Robin.

Avocette and I have found a new role as Committee Boat for a few local regattas. Race boats have varied from the fast and powerful Farr 45's, through Beneteau 40.7's, to the pretty Westmacott designed Victory Class and Bembridge One Designs. The Victories are my local One Design Classics and it was great to see my old boat Z50 winning the regatta, with Z54 that I have raced on so often coming second. Catherine's photos are worth a look too http://web.me.com/catherineking/Victory/Victory_Class.html

Immediate plans include an overdue scrub-off, local and channel sailing, and the inevitable round of maintenance, and polishing (volunteers welcome). Next year the plan is the Baltic, Finland and Sweden, and I am actively looking for crew. The plan is to leave in April and transit the Kiel Canal, returning late August/September. Actual ports and Countries to be visited are yet to be decided. If you would like to join for all, or part, of the cruise please do get in touch.

Trojans Maiden Voyage

It was dark at 3am. Half a moon lit the withies as we threaded our way down the shallow creek, into the main channel, then out across the bar. Chichester Harbour soon disappeared into the darkness astern, and we headed for the Owers - the rocks at the southern end of Selsey Bill. The sun rose, a crimson ball, heralding the dawn as we turned east.

Launched a month ago, this was Trojans maiden voyage. The owners had built her on the harbours edge, and now I was delivering her to the French Canals.

You don't see many Dutch motor barges making passage in the Channel, and we drew quizzical looks from all who passed us by. A stop over in Sovereign Harbour, then up early to catch the forecast, the 0430hr lock, and off to Dungeness. Dover Coastguard "tagged" us as we crossed the shipping lanes, and entered Calais.

Re-built after the war, much of the city is that chunky, uninspired architecture of the 50's and 60's, but the Hotel De Ville is fabulous, and its ornamental gardens make a fine setting for Rodin's famous sculpture of the Burghers of Calais.

Newtown Creek - A favourite Anchorage

Finally the sun has come out, not a lot of wind, but the sky is blue(ish), and it's much warmer.

Cowes week looms and the local classics, the Portsmouth Victory Class, are readying themselves for a hectic week. It will be a memorable week of racing as this Cowes Week also celebrates the XOD's 100 Anniversary. The top helms from the Victory's have "jumped ship" to race in XOD's. Word has it that it has made their top boats sit up and take note.

Me, I'm sitting in the sun at Newtown Creek, cow's chew the cud here! Will I race in the Victory's.....

Boat Mending for the next trip

Arriving home was great - good to see family and friends, good to have an English beer, but the English summer!!!!!! This weekend has been the only two blue sky days since I got home. It's warmer, but summer?

I'm catching up with all those jobs that I nearly got round too over the last year.

In the short term I'm sailing locally, the Solent, and aim to cross to France in a couple of weeks time for a spell. The plan, at the moment seems to be to head east next April, for the Baltic, and then on up to Sweden and Finland to catch-up with friends from this years cruise in their home waters. If you fancy joining me, either on my boat, or to sail in company, let me know.

My home sailing club welcomes visitors and has its own pontoon, so if you are in the area, drop in and give me a call.

Sei Whale, and Homeward Bound

Issued at 0717 Friday 8th July, sea area Wight: Gale force 8 imminent. Inshore forecast for Selsey Bill to Lyme Regis: South or south west 5-7 becoming west or southwest 4-5 later, sea moderate or rough, showers, becoming fair later, visibility moderate or good. We sailed! Coming down the Lymington River, on the last leg of the voyage, it was blowing. I eased out a tiny area of headsail, and we charged off at 7kts, then 8. then 8.4kts. Almost 12000 miles of sailing and the worst conditions were in the Solent!

It was emotional sailing through home waters, knowing family would be there, on the quay, to take my lines. Already though, the thoughts were there - Where next?

I have made so many friends, and had so many invitations - Will it be the Mediterranean and Israel, or maybe the Baltic and Scandinavia, or maybe the States. One thing is certain, this was Chapter 1, the preparation for Chapter 2 has begun.

I will need crew ...... are you coming?

Warm Beer and Soggy Summers

We knew we were reaching the end of our crossing. The first signs were the fulmars searching the waves, their powerful wing beats and stocky bodies unmistakeable. Then gannets - how similar they are to boobies - diving for their supper.

Crossing the continental shelf, into the western approaches to the English Channel, dolphins came leaping across the waves. Soon dozens were jousting for pole position on the bow wave. More queued up alongside, twisting and turning, darting under the boat, only to re-appear and leap clear of the water as they too enjoyed our arrival. Inside the boat, it echoed to their calls and clicks, and, from far away, others answered. Soon dozens surrounded the boat. The party lasted into the night - it was a full three hours before the last of the revellers left.

Our last night watches were the busiest since leaving Morocco. Deep-sea trawlers criss-crossed our path, and merchant ships headed out to destinations around the globe. The loom of the Scilly's lighthouse, a sign post in the ocean, confirmed our position, then, as dawn broke the heavy grey clouds slowly lifted and revealed the craggy cliffs of the Lizard.

Falmouth is a great landfall. It's retained its charm and character, its picture-postcard good looks, and its friendly natives. The streets are narrow, the pace of life slow. The buildings hang over the harbours side. Old gaffers, and fishing boats, hang off the quays. The Helford - unspoilt and quiet with woods rolling down the hillside till their branches dangle inches from the water, and cast near perfect reflections. Fowey has changed little over the years, but its quiet winding streets are now the showroom for trendy sailing gear - a bit like Cowes really.

Devon too has its jewels - the River Yealm, carved through the hills, great houses and old fisherman's cottages cling to the hillside, linked by narrow paths - the walk rewarded by a great pint in the sailing club. Were in Dartmouth now, Portland next.

The winds have been great, but, warm beer and soggy summers?

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