"All Four Corners"

[Daydream believer]

Phew! Newlyn to Milford! Single handed? That's a heck of a long trip, especially if Land's End played unfair.
Well done

I also did St peter Port to Falmouth
Milford haven to Dun Laghaire
Inverness to Peterhead
Peterhead to Eyemouth
Hartlepool to Grimsby
Grimsby to Lowestoft
Shorter ones included
Bradwell to Boulogne
Lehavre to Cherbourg

 

[Robert Wilson]

That's an impressive log! What sort/size boat were those stints in?

Encouraging for me, thanks.

 

[Daydream believer]

That's an impressive log! What sort/size boat were those stints in?

Encouraging for me, thanks.

31 ft. However, it is much easier for me than many of the small boat sailors that are all round the UK. I normally average 5.5 - 6kts
100 miles is 16-18 hours, unless on the nose - in which case I do not go if I can help it. A boat that averages 4Kts would be 25 hours. ( Note that for the thread on whether speed matters when cruising!!!!)
If I have to motor I can average 6knts if not too rough
I can stand up to bigger seas oK & keep the boat driving forward
I found South Bishops & Skomer - where you had bother- fairly rough with strong wind over tide chop. I would have been really concerned in a 22fter.
One has to be a better sailor to circumnavigate in a sub 24ft boat

 

[Seajet]

Might be going to Falmouth tomorrow. Anyone around for a bevvy?

Chichester is seven hops from here, and I intend to go in. Chichester Marina, or any other recommendations? I don't need highlife or smart life !

Robert,

top tip; keep going straight on as you enter Chichester, on down the main Emsworth Channel north from HISC.

Good anchorage to the west side anywhere say half way down, if you go into 4 metres you'll be off the bee line used by fishing boats.

Emsworth is a lovely little town with 2 chandlers, hardware store, bank cash machines, loads of pubs - the Bluebell just up from the harbour being my favourite - all sorts of restaurants and the best fish and chips on the planet, just head for the train station.

The marina is spiffing and has a good proper boatyard as well as chandlery, but is tidally restricted by a sill; binoculars are handy, there's a well marked tide guage just outside the sill.

 

[Tranona]

Might be going to Falmouth tomorrow. Anyone around for a bevvy?

Chichester is seven hops from here, and I intend to go in. Chichester Marina, or any other recommendations? I don't need highlife or smart life !

If you are stopping off in Poole, which I thoroughly recommend, you will be welcome in the marina at Poole Yacht Club (next to the ferry terminal. Easy access from main channel, good clubhouse, sheltered berths, 10 minutes walk from the fleshpots of Poole Quay.

PM me if you are likely to come in and will give you my contact details.

 

[Robert Wilson]

All good tips, thank you gentlemen. Especially about Emsworth. Poole may be a half-way stop if I have to do Bridport tomorrow. I'm in Dartmouth tonight, after motor-sailing from Fowey this morning.
What a beautiful place is Dartmouth.

Doesn't look like good winds for the Bank Holiday.

 

[Tranona]

Lyme Regis is better than Bridport (unless you are a Broadchurch fan!) although it should be quiet with the offshore winds forecast.

 

[Robert Wilson]

Went straight past, on my way to Yarmouth. In Chichester Marina now and leaving for Brighton tomorrow.

Haven't seen a single Forum Burgee yet in 890 miles!

Where are you all?

Gawd, The Solent is busy! And I'm not keen on the creek-crawl up to Chichester Marina......
Fascinating place though, myriads on dinghies racing about of Wittering, like Scottish Midgies on a damp day!

 

[Robert Wilson]

Update: Monday 1st June.
Weather-bound in Suffolk Yacht Harbour (Harwich). Chichester to Yarmouth over Bank Holiday weekend was uneventful, but extremely busy,
Yarmouth to Chichester was slow and extremely busy. Manic locking into Chichester Marina, with a queue of 20+ boats! Superb Marina.
Chichester to Eastbourne quiet and slow to start then a great sail from before Brighton. Beautiful weather.
Eastbourne to Dover fantastic sail, goosewinged all the way to Dungeness, then hairy reach into Dover. BIG following seas off Dover western approach! Got pooped!
Splendid sail from Dover, across the Thames Estuary and into Harwich.

Oh, I forgot, got caught by the main sheet in an uncontrolled gybe and slammed into the cockpit coaming - broken ribs!

Hopefully Lowestoft on Wednesday and Wells next the sea on Thursday.

 

[Champagne Murphy]

Update: Monday 1st June.
Weather-bound in Suffolk Yacht Harbour (Harwich). Chichester to Yarmouth over Bank Holiday weekend was uneventful, but extremely busy,
Yarmouth to Chichester was slow and extremely busy. Manic locking into Chichester Marina, with a queue of 20+ boats! Superb Marina.
Chichester to Eastbourne quiet and slow to start then a great sail from before Brighton. Beautiful weather.
Eastbourne to Dover fantastic sail, goosewinged all the way to Dungeness, then hairy reach into Dover. BIG following seas off Dover western approach! Got pooped!
Splendid sail from Dover, across the Thames Estuary and into Harwich.

Oh, I forgot, got caught by the main sheet in an uncontrolled gybe and slammed into the cockpit coaming - broken ribs!

Hopefully Lowestoft on Wednesday and Wells next the sea on Thursday.

Welcome to East Anglia! We don't break everyone's ribs! (your's or the boats BTW?)

 

[Seajet]

Robert,

having tried broken ribs a couple of times I urge caution, it doesn't feel too bad at first but can get seriously unpleasant, I had 2 broken and trying to get on & off my boat via the tender was zero fun !

There doesn't seem to be a real fix for it, other than ' wait 6 weeks ' but I did find reasonably tight bandage strapping helped, even though it's not trendy in medical circles.

Co-Drydramol ( prescription only ) helps too, but can cause constipation and more importantly for a singlehander, drowsiness - maybe a hot water bottle might be an idea ?

I don't fancy sailing long distances solo with busted ribs - take care.

Andy

 

[westhinder]

Are you in a hurry? At that rate you'll be home by the end of the month.
Plenty of nice places you seem to have skipped. You'll have to go round a second time to visit properly

 

[longjohnsilver]

All good tips, thank you gentlemen. Especially about Emsworth. Poole may be a half-way stop if I have to do Bridport tomorrow. I'm in Dartmouth tonight, after motor-sailing from Fowey this morning.
What a beautiful place is Dartmouth.

Doesn't look like good winds for the Bank Holiday.

I've only just picked up on this thread. I saw you in Dartmouth, would have called to say hi if I'd known.

Great progress, but why the hurry, you are missing some fabulous places!

 

[Robert Wilson]

Welcome to East Anglia! We don't break everyone's ribs! (your's or the boats BTW?)

 

[Robert Wilson]

Robert,

having tried broken ribs a couple of times I urge caution, it doesn't feel too bad at first but can get seriously unpleasant, I had 2 broken and trying to get on & off my boat via the tender was zero fun !

There doesn't seem to be a real fix for it, other than ' wait 6 weeks ' but I did find reasonably tight bandage strapping helped, even though it's not trendy in medical circles.

Co-Drydramol ( prescription only ) helps too, but can cause constipation and more importantly for a singlehander, drowsiness - maybe a hot water bottle might be an idea ?

I don't fancy sailing long distances solo with busted ribs - take care.

Andy

Thanks Andy, for the warning. And the advice.
I'm going to "give it a try" for the next few stages, but if I feel I'm deteriorating then I'll stop. I'm feeling ok around the boat, as long as I don't knock into anything (rarely happens on a boat, does it!). I'm only going to make moves up the east coast if tides and wind a favourable and safe, so I think I'll be having quite a few rest-days.

I know it sounds as if I'm in a hurry but I'm not. I am up on anticipated progress but would like to be back home as soon as reasonably and safely possible.
I know I'm missing places, but I can make-up for them next time; this time I want to prove to myself I can do it and I'm thoroughly enjoying the challenge - and meeting great people along the way.

If I were to be home by the end of June I'd be pleased but I've given myself til mid July. I just don't want to dawdle in port on good sailing days and then find I am forced to wait longer if the weather then goes bad.

I appreciate all your comments and advice, it shows what a caring community sailors inhabit.

Robert

 

[Robert Wilson]

Oh, what a pity. I wish I'd known and we could have had a "Beer 'n' Natter'!
Where abouts did you see me? And where were you?

I know I've missed a lot, but my mindset is that I want to keep going when the opportunity arises. It's very much a proving trip for me.
Next time (????) I'll take it easy and see the sights.

 

[longjohnsilver]

I would have been on my mooring just off Kingswear, on Eos our mobo. You must have gone past cos I remember the name Khamsin. Where did you moor in the Dart?

 

[Birdseye]

Keep it up Robert . I'm full of admiration. I've sailed all over the UK across Biscay , in the Med etc but the furthest I have ever dared to go single handed is Falmouth to Fowey. What you are doing is really BRAVE and thats something I am not.

 

[Robert Wilson]

I would have been on my mooring just off Kingswear, on Eos our mobo. You must have gone past cos I remember the name Khamsin. Where did you moor in the Dart?

I moored in Darthaven Marina (Berth B38). What a pity I missed seeing you sitting there, it's not as if there were a lot of boats about!!
Darthaven charged me £34 for the night, which had to include £7+ for Harbour Fees. Sore point all round, as the Marina has o pay them, and the berth holder, and then a visitor has to pay too. "Short and curlies" expression comes to mind!

 

[Robert Wilson]

Keep it up Robert . I'm full of admiration. I've sailed all over the UK across Biscay , in the Med etc but the furthest I have ever dared to go single handed is Falmouth to Fowey. What you are doing is really BRAVE and thats something I am not.

Thanks Birdseye, that's much appreciated. I gather I may be about to experience my first "thunderstorms at sea "on Friday (Lowestoft to Wells-next-the-sea). That'll test whether I'm brave!!

I would respond by PM if I could, but since arriving in Suffolk Yacht Harbour and logging on to their wi-fi my Outlook emails won't send/connect to something-or-other - and I am a numpty with computers!!

Don't think I'll be attempting a s/h across Biscay ever!!