Pretty much completed washing all of my kit. Soaked my boots for 3 hours to remove the salt, great sunshine for everything to dry. A couple of nights sleeping has done wonders, although it feels strange to wake up in a bedroom in the morning and not be sharing a cabin with Brian! The land has just about stopped swaying.
We had a great team for sailing around Britain. I'd like to thank Peter as skipper and Stella who were fabulous hosts for our voyage; I'm grateful to the crew too for coping with a sailing vicar! Brian, aka Debbie, Jill and Mike: it was good to meet you and sail with you all. In all it was a wonderful experience facing so many emotions and challenges, learning and experiencing so much under the banner of Cornish Cruising who made it all possible.
On the circumnavigation I mentioned the 'Pass The Port' sponsorships, where friends chose their favourite port or part of the coastline and supported me in favour of the CofE 'Climate Justice Fund'; thank you. www.climatejusticefund.org
Others chose to sponsor miles of the voyage from which I am able to support the new solar panels on St.Mary's Church Hall in Warsash. Having mentioned the christian names from 'Pass the Port' in the blog, I'll list those others I know of who've sponsored a mile or supported me in other ways below; thank you all for your kindness. Both the types of sponsorship have helped me offset something of the carbon footprint involved in sailing around Britain.
I would not be able to undertake this ministerial development leave without the support of my colleagues in the church, a great team to whom I'm grateful and principally among them Philippa, my assistant curate, who is continuing to work hard in my absence. I'm sure the parish won't even notice I'm away! My development leave sailing mentor is Nigel off whom I've bounced my crazy ideas and who is kindly guiding my training through to passing the Yachtmaster Offshore Exam. Then of course, my prinicipal support has come from my family, Libby and my boys, for whom my appreciation and love has grown through my absence.
I value the corporate support which has been afforded to my development leave by the Ecclesiastical Insurance Company (Ministry Bursary Award) www.ecclesiasatical.com , the Diocese of Portsmouth www.portsmouth.anglican.org and by Hook with Warsash Parochial Church Council www.stmarywarsash.org.uk
Finally, I thank you for following this voyage on the blog. You've been very patient with me, I hope you've learned a little about sailing and maybe something about me too! Perhaps it's whetted your appetite to venture on to the seas of our magnificant and wild coast?
Next I must reflect on the themes that stand out for me beyond the sailing. The ways the voyage has added to my personal and ministerial development. I'm pondering a principal theme of '40 days and Liberty', how it gives time to break free and appreciate what is really important for future life and ministry. This followed closely by Trust, Steadfastness /Perseverance, and Navigating Life! Send me your thoughts!
I'll sign off with my thanks to God and to you all, and with my appreciation for the kind support and sponsorship of those below: Pat, Michael, Jenny, Miranda, Pat, Glenda, Carol, John, June, Roger, Margaret, Pam, Rosemary, Gill, David, Paul, Kay, Barbara, Lawrence, Roger, Sally, Caroline, Dave, Rose, Mike, Felicity, Brenda, Nick, Mike, Pat, Marion, Peter, Jim, Marion, Anon, Martyn, Jeff, Eileen, Anon, Bob, Brenda, Heather, Miranda, Rital, David, Gill, Bryan, Pam, Tony, Jan, Sian, Bruce, Anon, Rosemary, Pam, Anon, Anon, Richard, Nigel, Ian, Jen; and of course Christopher RIP whom I remember with affection. Not forgetting the young people of the church Pathfinders with Suzi and Ian and Roz.
So that's it, the circumnavigation is complete. As we'd say on the VHF: 40 Days Around Britain... Out!
Tuesday, 22 May 2012
Saturday, 19 May 2012
Soon be home!
80+ knots, I'm only used to 8kts!
It's good to see the chart of the whole UK, it's a stunning island with a rich diversity and many warm hearted people live on its fringes. It has been a great pleasure and blessing to discover it all by the power of the wind. A bit slower than the pace of this train whisking me home!
It's good to see the chart of the whole UK, it's a stunning island with a rich diversity and many warm hearted people live on its fringes. It has been a great pleasure and blessing to discover it all by the power of the wind. A bit slower than the pace of this train whisking me home!
Vital Statistics...
The trip has been fantastic but I'm glad to be on the train going home now. Last night's fireworks were to celebrate the Olympic Flame; Falmouth and Truro were buzzing with it this morning. I'll write a final blog after recovering over the weekend!
For now you might enjoy a few voyage statistics:
1838 logged miles.
115 hours of sailing.
171 hours of motoring.
4 litres diesel per hour.
8 shore days: Amble. Whitby. Stromness 2. Gosport. Scrabster 3.
14 nights at anchor.
15 nights in marina or on pontoon.
5 nights harbour walls.
3 nights on buoys.
4 nights on passage.
2 times up the mast.
2 visits to the laundry.
15 islands visited.
1 swim in the sea!
For now you might enjoy a few voyage statistics:
1838 logged miles.
115 hours of sailing.
171 hours of motoring.
4 litres diesel per hour.
8 shore days: Amble. Whitby. Stromness 2. Gosport. Scrabster 3.
14 nights at anchor.
15 nights in marina or on pontoon.
5 nights harbour walls.
3 nights on buoys.
4 nights on passage.
2 times up the mast.
2 visits to the laundry.
15 islands visited.
1 swim in the sea!
Day 40+1: Isles of Scilly to Falmouth
18th May
ETD 0815; CTS East; 65nm
Will this be the day we complete our circumnavigation of Britain? The prospect of motoring all that way against the tide and wind was not appealing, though the morning forecast had improved somewhat. Slipping the mooring in New Grimsby Sound we put up a tiny piece of mainsail below the spreaders.
At first the swell was uncomfortable and some slamming didn't ease of concern for the rigging, and we wern't used to just 3kts over ground as we were headed by the tide. But progress was made, Wolf Rock Light a good mark (photo with me; other light is Round Island by St.Martin's), and conditions steadily improved. We were on the way home!
Across Mounts Bay with Penzance on a heading for The Lizzard (chart shot). We crossed The Lizzard on a good day; it was only rough!
Turning north east we headed up for Falmouth. Navigating the ships anchored off, the birthday Viking Helmet came out for the entry to Carrick Roads (photo and chart shot).
On the way to the town quay to drop aka Debbie off early for a family do, we first stopped to look at one of the most famous racing yachts in the world. The J's are gathering for a rare regatta: the vintage Valsheda was in the harbour (perhaps the most beautiful of yachts ever!).
After the drop off we took a mooring buoy in the bay in anticipation of our welcome home at 2200. The crowds filled the town quay and the cheers started with the first explosion of the fireworks. We felt we'd truly been welcomed by Falmouth following our voyage with the 20 minute spectacle; we had a grandstand view.
1830 miles beneath the keel in 41 days; we'd returned to the celebrations and colours cascading through the night sky as the fireworks exploded above. A great end to the voyage.
Just half mile from the marina we'd slept on the buoy to return early in the morning, pack and clean the boat, say our farewells and I'd be catching the train home.
ETD 0815; CTS East; 65nm
Will this be the day we complete our circumnavigation of Britain? The prospect of motoring all that way against the tide and wind was not appealing, though the morning forecast had improved somewhat. Slipping the mooring in New Grimsby Sound we put up a tiny piece of mainsail below the spreaders.
At first the swell was uncomfortable and some slamming didn't ease of concern for the rigging, and we wern't used to just 3kts over ground as we were headed by the tide. But progress was made, Wolf Rock Light a good mark (photo with me; other light is Round Island by St.Martin's), and conditions steadily improved. We were on the way home!
Across Mounts Bay with Penzance on a heading for The Lizzard (chart shot). We crossed The Lizzard on a good day; it was only rough!
Turning north east we headed up for Falmouth. Navigating the ships anchored off, the birthday Viking Helmet came out for the entry to Carrick Roads (photo and chart shot).
On the way to the town quay to drop aka Debbie off early for a family do, we first stopped to look at one of the most famous racing yachts in the world. The J's are gathering for a rare regatta: the vintage Valsheda was in the harbour (perhaps the most beautiful of yachts ever!).
After the drop off we took a mooring buoy in the bay in anticipation of our welcome home at 2200. The crowds filled the town quay and the cheers started with the first explosion of the fireworks. We felt we'd truly been welcomed by Falmouth following our voyage with the 20 minute spectacle; we had a grandstand view.
1830 miles beneath the keel in 41 days; we'd returned to the celebrations and colours cascading through the night sky as the fireworks exploded above. A great end to the voyage.
Just half mile from the marina we'd slept on the buoy to return early in the morning, pack and clean the boat, say our farewells and I'd be catching the train home.
Thursday, 17 May 2012
Day 40: St.Martin's Sound to ...
ETD 0930, CTS East, 35nm
A pleasure to be asked to navigate us back to the mainland on day 40. 40 days and tonight, 40 nights to be back in Falmouth tomorrow.
Winds have built again for a brisk sail, except we'd be beating to wind in Easterly 4's to 6's. 0930 and we made our way north out of Tean Sound, piloting the pitfalls of the now to be expected and plentiful Scillonian rocks. Mainsail up, headed NE as close to wind as possible. Given half a chance the tide stream would be pushing us back to Ireland!
A couple of miles out and tracking towards Seven Stones rocks I popped down to the chart table. Why do things always happen when I pop down to the charts? 'Ping' it went from down below; when I say ping I don't mean ping but rather PING. Topsides they described it as a bang or a twang making it a TWBANG!
Casually popping my head up to find part of the starboard rigging had snapped; the V2 section between the end of the spreader and the upper mast, designed to stop the top section bending. A quick change of tack put the pressure on the port side giving a moment to take stock. We were beating to strong and increasing winds, it was clear we couldn't sail on. The main sail down and under a reduced genoa (first outing since repair!) we turned and headed west for the shelter of New Grimsby Sound, Tresco. It would seem that we just cannot get away from the Isles of Scilly!
Picking up a mooring buoy we had lunch whilst the skipper called his mates. Unfortunately the island's riggers needed the replacement to be assembled on the mainland and sent out for fitting. We needed to get the cable down to measure the various dimensions. But, as on the Orkney's, we still have no Bosun's Chair. Peter called Phil who we met on Alycone yesterday for petrol. They were not far off and so again sailed to see us, coming alongside for a second time, on this occasion they lent us their Bosun's Chair.
Yours truly fitted up this nappy device and was attached to a halyard for the second time on the trip. The chair was in fact much better and less physically demanding than climbing the jury rigged steps as before. It also meant I had hands free to work the rigging which was still attached at the outer end of the spreader. There was a bolt through the joint fixed by a split pin. All, parts plus me, descended merrily and the work of assessment, measuring and ordering started. The end of the stainless rig had a swaged on piece of 8mm stainless rod attached; it was this rod that had sheared!
Peter spoke to Wheal Go's rigger, Mel at A2 Rigging in Falmouth who was happy we could motor but not sail home, a bit of our repaired genoa out to steady the boat. So our plans were revised to mean that we would stay here for the evening and then motor 60 miles back to Falmouth tomorrow in slighty better conditions.
A shore party to Bryher with a good walk around the island. A good time for prayer, reflection and thanksgiving to the Lord.
I thought that the Isles of Scilly would be a quiet end to the 40 days, as it is the sailing adventure continues up to the last!
A pleasure to be asked to navigate us back to the mainland on day 40. 40 days and tonight, 40 nights to be back in Falmouth tomorrow.
Winds have built again for a brisk sail, except we'd be beating to wind in Easterly 4's to 6's. 0930 and we made our way north out of Tean Sound, piloting the pitfalls of the now to be expected and plentiful Scillonian rocks. Mainsail up, headed NE as close to wind as possible. Given half a chance the tide stream would be pushing us back to Ireland!
A couple of miles out and tracking towards Seven Stones rocks I popped down to the chart table. Why do things always happen when I pop down to the charts? 'Ping' it went from down below; when I say ping I don't mean ping but rather PING. Topsides they described it as a bang or a twang making it a TWBANG!
Casually popping my head up to find part of the starboard rigging had snapped; the V2 section between the end of the spreader and the upper mast, designed to stop the top section bending. A quick change of tack put the pressure on the port side giving a moment to take stock. We were beating to strong and increasing winds, it was clear we couldn't sail on. The main sail down and under a reduced genoa (first outing since repair!) we turned and headed west for the shelter of New Grimsby Sound, Tresco. It would seem that we just cannot get away from the Isles of Scilly!
Picking up a mooring buoy we had lunch whilst the skipper called his mates. Unfortunately the island's riggers needed the replacement to be assembled on the mainland and sent out for fitting. We needed to get the cable down to measure the various dimensions. But, as on the Orkney's, we still have no Bosun's Chair. Peter called Phil who we met on Alycone yesterday for petrol. They were not far off and so again sailed to see us, coming alongside for a second time, on this occasion they lent us their Bosun's Chair.
Yours truly fitted up this nappy device and was attached to a halyard for the second time on the trip. The chair was in fact much better and less physically demanding than climbing the jury rigged steps as before. It also meant I had hands free to work the rigging which was still attached at the outer end of the spreader. There was a bolt through the joint fixed by a split pin. All, parts plus me, descended merrily and the work of assessment, measuring and ordering started. The end of the stainless rig had a swaged on piece of 8mm stainless rod attached; it was this rod that had sheared!
Peter spoke to Wheal Go's rigger, Mel at A2 Rigging in Falmouth who was happy we could motor but not sail home, a bit of our repaired genoa out to steady the boat. So our plans were revised to mean that we would stay here for the evening and then motor 60 miles back to Falmouth tomorrow in slighty better conditions.
A shore party to Bryher with a good walk around the island. A good time for prayer, reflection and thanksgiving to the Lord.
I thought that the Isles of Scilly would be a quiet end to the 40 days, as it is the sailing adventure continues up to the last!
Wednesday, 16 May 2012
Day 39: Porth Cressa, St.Mary's to St.Martins.
8nm
A great sleep, trunks on and straight off the back of the boat and in to the sea. Good Morning the Isles of Scilly! Duly invigorated I couldn't resist diving in again: positively chilling at 11 centigrade; that'll shower me until Falmouth.
Next job of the day: the good exercise of hoisting the repaired genoa back up the mast. Beautifully calm conditions, all repaired an in good order to sail home.
Motored around the west of St.Mary's to drop anchor in a bay within tender reach of the town quay. Emtied the 3 spare water cams into the rear freshwater tank and took a group to the town. Filled up the cams with fresh water and back to the boat to empty them in the tank. It was on the third such trip that the engine caught fire! Although we were approaching the pontoon Brian and I were alarmed to see how much smoke was billowing out from the engine hood. I turned off, closed off the petrol supply, tied up the boat and stood back. Approaching I heard a bizarre crackling from the engine which was more than overheated. Stella arrived from the town as we let the engine cool down. Took the canopy off to check and cool further. Stella phoned Peter on the yacht and we arranged to row out and rendezvous in the bay.
Back on board and I enjoyed the pleasure of steaming the yacht from St.Mary's up New Grimsby Sound (where we removed the outboard engine in the calm) around the top of Tresco, east and then south down Old Grimsby before heading east again to a mooring off St.Martin's Hotel. We're having our end of voyage dinner there this evening because Falmouth is full of Olympic Flame celebrations and fireworks on Friday.
Checking the 4-stroke outboard over we found, or rather, didn't find any oil in her at all. We believe this accounted for the unusual overheating although one might have expected more noise and awkward behaviour from the engine before now. So, just need to give it some oil and... Ah! No 4-stroke oil! No probs, Peter has a sailing mate Dave on St.Martin's who kindly brought some oil to the quay; Mike and Jill rowed over, oil in the engine and it works like new.
Bizarrely, at the same time, Peter took a call from another Cornish Cruising yacht in the isles that had seen us motor up Old Grimsby Sound. Had we any fuel to spare for their outboard? When later, Alcyon came up alongside us (pic) they offered us oil in exchange - but we were sorted by then.
It is such a lovely spot on a sunny day we decided to take a team photo with our Cornish Cruising circumnavigation T-shirts and caps on. Pic below excludes Stella, but in future she'll be there when I can get timed shot off my camera.
A great sleep, trunks on and straight off the back of the boat and in to the sea. Good Morning the Isles of Scilly! Duly invigorated I couldn't resist diving in again: positively chilling at 11 centigrade; that'll shower me until Falmouth.
Next job of the day: the good exercise of hoisting the repaired genoa back up the mast. Beautifully calm conditions, all repaired an in good order to sail home.
Motored around the west of St.Mary's to drop anchor in a bay within tender reach of the town quay. Emtied the 3 spare water cams into the rear freshwater tank and took a group to the town. Filled up the cams with fresh water and back to the boat to empty them in the tank. It was on the third such trip that the engine caught fire! Although we were approaching the pontoon Brian and I were alarmed to see how much smoke was billowing out from the engine hood. I turned off, closed off the petrol supply, tied up the boat and stood back. Approaching I heard a bizarre crackling from the engine which was more than overheated. Stella arrived from the town as we let the engine cool down. Took the canopy off to check and cool further. Stella phoned Peter on the yacht and we arranged to row out and rendezvous in the bay.
Back on board and I enjoyed the pleasure of steaming the yacht from St.Mary's up New Grimsby Sound (where we removed the outboard engine in the calm) around the top of Tresco, east and then south down Old Grimsby before heading east again to a mooring off St.Martin's Hotel. We're having our end of voyage dinner there this evening because Falmouth is full of Olympic Flame celebrations and fireworks on Friday.
Checking the 4-stroke outboard over we found, or rather, didn't find any oil in her at all. We believe this accounted for the unusual overheating although one might have expected more noise and awkward behaviour from the engine before now. So, just need to give it some oil and... Ah! No 4-stroke oil! No probs, Peter has a sailing mate Dave on St.Martin's who kindly brought some oil to the quay; Mike and Jill rowed over, oil in the engine and it works like new.
Bizarrely, at the same time, Peter took a call from another Cornish Cruising yacht in the isles that had seen us motor up Old Grimsby Sound. Had we any fuel to spare for their outboard? When later, Alcyon came up alongside us (pic) they offered us oil in exchange - but we were sorted by then.
It is such a lovely spot on a sunny day we decided to take a team photo with our Cornish Cruising circumnavigation T-shirts and caps on. Pic below excludes Stella, but in future she'll be there when I can get timed shot off my camera.
Day 38: Old Grimsby,Tresco to Porth Cressa, St.Mary's
Tuesday 15th May
7nm
A few of us were sleepless through the night as the F6 blew through, though Brian, next to me, slept like a log. A sterling job laying the anchor saw us through to the morning with the winds still howling.
Plan was to collect the repaired sail from Hugh Town at the end of the day after lunch time anchorage between Puffin Island and Samson.
The rocks and shallows around the Scillies are pronounced and many, navigation uses many transits and is tide critical. With high tide we left Old Grimsby Sound motoring south towards St.Mary's before turning west to loop round and a wigley north towards Samson near the entrance to New Grimsby Sound west of Tresco. Lunch off a lovely beach, but no shore party, so weighed anchor to head for the south side of St.Mary's to anchor in the bay behind Hugh Town.
All ashore to the town or walks. Got a call from Peter to meet at the sailmaker on the harbour side (photo) to carry sail back across town to the beach and on the tender to the boat. Started to prepare the veg and get ready the dinner. The wind had dropped, all was calm for a quiet night.
7nm
A few of us were sleepless through the night as the F6 blew through, though Brian, next to me, slept like a log. A sterling job laying the anchor saw us through to the morning with the winds still howling.
Plan was to collect the repaired sail from Hugh Town at the end of the day after lunch time anchorage between Puffin Island and Samson.
The rocks and shallows around the Scillies are pronounced and many, navigation uses many transits and is tide critical. With high tide we left Old Grimsby Sound motoring south towards St.Mary's before turning west to loop round and a wigley north towards Samson near the entrance to New Grimsby Sound west of Tresco. Lunch off a lovely beach, but no shore party, so weighed anchor to head for the south side of St.Mary's to anchor in the bay behind Hugh Town.
All ashore to the town or walks. Got a call from Peter to meet at the sailmaker on the harbour side (photo) to carry sail back across town to the beach and on the tender to the boat. Started to prepare the veg and get ready the dinner. The wind had dropped, all was calm for a quiet night.
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