"All Four Corners"

In the words of the crop-duster in Independence Day,

Hello Boys - I'm back........................................

I rounded Cape Wrath at 22:15 on Tuesday night (30th June), sailed/motor-sailed through the night and into the dawn down the enchanting Sutherland and Ross-shire coast, entering my home port, Loch Ewe at 11:00 on Wednesday.

The reception party on the Aultbea quay was tremendous, helped immensely by glorious weather.

1837 miles. 378 hours "at sea". 104 hours pure sailing. 76 days "door to door".

Thank you to all of you on YBW for advice, encouragement and support.

ALL FOUR CORNERS - Done it :encouragement:

PS Scrabster doesn't have much for yotties, but is very friendly, is the only "marina" on the north coast, has a great pub/restaurant "The Ferry Inn" and the fee for a night is £13.
Gets my vote!
 
Well done Robert, hope you decide it's worth doing again but at a much more leisurely pace.

Many thanks LJS. I would do it again, but not yet a while!
If I was to go again I would definitely take much much longer and enjoy the many place I felt I had to pass for the sake of making mileage.

I can thoroughly recommend it to anyone with enough sense of adventure to push themselves. If I as a novice long-distance sailor can do it, then it's a challenge worth meeting.
 
Great! Well done.
An achievement you can be proud of. It will give you lots of quiet satisfaction.
Now you can go on enjoying your fabulous home waters.
 
There are anchorages either side of Flamborough Head, marinas at Hartlepool and Sunderland (you can also anchor inside the North Pier at Sunderland), 2 marinas on the Tyne, the RNYC at Blyth, a marina at Amble, anchorages at Newbiggin Bay, Craster and Boulmer, Newton Haven is a very nice anchorage as is Beadnell then you are up to the Farnes. The anchorages are open to anything easterly by and large.

Bearing in mind I'll be going the other way I like the sound of anchoring at the Farnes and Holy Island (both in my old NE stamping ground, but not in a boat).
Whitby should be ok with the right wind and tide, and Amble is definitely on my list.
The leg from East Anglia is a worry being s/h. I'm beginning to think "non-stop" (with a local crew) may have to be the only way. Pity, as I would like to achieve the whole trip as s/h. But safety and prudence comes before accolade!

Robin Hoods Bay, Runswick and Staithes? Any thoughts; in calm conditions of course. And Bridlington (against the South Quay?

I may have to settle for a diversion to somewhere in the Humber if conditions demand.

Wells-next-the-sea, again in the safe conditions/good tide???

Thanks muchly,
RW
 
"
The leg from East Anglia is a worry being s/h. I'm beginning to think "non-stop" (with a local crew) may have to be the only way. Pity, as I would like to achieve the whole trip as s/h. But safety and prudence comes before accolade!

Robin Hoods Bay, Runswick and Staithes? Any thoughts; in calm conditions of course. And Bridlington (against the South Quay?

I may have to settle for a diversion to somewhere in the Humber if conditions demand.

Wells-next-the-sea, again in the safe conditions/good tide???

Thanks muchly,
RW
Read more at http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?422540-quot-All-Four-Corners-quot/page19#LDMbGqdq0jqYj3G0.99"

Brid now has pontoons with power and water. You dry to soft mud. They also do a three days for £20 deal-

You can anchor by the pilot pier at Spurn but Grimsby (google Humber Cruising Assoc) is convenient and friendly if behind a lock. Easier than going up to Hull.

Fins can stay afloat at Wells on the pontoon now and the HM will advise and lead you in in the launch. Lowestoft Hamilton is 24hr and plenty of space. Southwold is nice, pontoons available, check for fins, I'm a bilge keel.

Harwich has lots of Marinas. Shotley has baths! A gem is the free Halfpenny Pier pontoon. I jumped off for Ramsgate then.

http://britainbyrivendell.weebly.co...bookcomgroups287097314802170/archives/06-2015
 
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FANTASTIC!!! Well done. Much more difficult than crossing an ocean. :cool:
Thank you,
I never thought of it like that, but yes, I suppose there is a lot more procedure and planning!


How are the ribs?
Thank you.
The ribs are ok now, but still mighty painful if knocked. The bruising down my spine and pelvis were the bigger pain, although all are fine now.
There's a photo of Khamsin leaving Eastbourne Marina (on MarineTraffic (Antony Smith?) - it was taken 43 minutes before the gybe!

Many congratulations, Robert. I've been following the thread with a certain amount of awe!
Thank you,
I have been sending emails to a group "on shore". These went out nearly every time I reached a port (with wi-fi).
If anyone would like me to forward them let me know. There's about forty in all.

Great! Well done.
An achievement you can be proud of. It will give you lots of quiet satisfaction.
Now you can go on enjoying your fabulous home waters.
Thank you.
Yes, without any doubt or fear of contradiction, the waters up here are matchless.
Once I have scrubbed off the huge amount of fouling I'll be enjoying my sailing with a rather different perspective and sense of adventure
Well done Robert.
Thank you.
I suppose you know it was all your fault that I undertook the voyage - you started it all by giving me your charts of the Clyde area three years ago!!!!!!:encouragement:

Congratulations! I agree with you about missing exploring as you pass. I'm on day 33, blogging in Dartmouth, instead of catching the ferry across to town!
Thank you.
Day 33 (at sea) saw me into Blyth; but day 33 overall had me partying still in St. Mawes!
Good luck, whichever way you're going. Drop me a line/or post to let us know how you're getting on, and if you're passing Loch Ewe/Gruinard Bay contact me - home-facilities and a welcome available:encouragement:
 
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There are anchorages either side of Flamborough Head, marinas at Hartlepool and Sunderland (you can also anchor inside the North Pier at Sunderland), 2 marinas on the Tyne, the RNYC at Blyth, a marina at Amble, anchorages at Newbiggin Bay, Craster and Boulmer, Newton Haven is a very nice anchorage as is Beadnell then you are up to the Farnes. The anchorages are open to anything easterly by and large.

Yes, I found lots of anchorages on my way, especially those you mention. Sadly the weather each time, or my time of reaching them meant I had to push on and miss them.
Next time.........................................;)
 
"
The leg from East Anglia is a worry being s/h. I'm beginning to think "non-stop" (with a local crew) may have to be the only way. Pity, as I would like to achieve the whole trip as s/h. But safety and prudence comes before accolade!

Robin Hoods Bay, Runswick and Staithes? Any thoughts; in calm conditions of course. And Bridlington (against the South Quay?

I may have to settle for a diversion to somewhere in the Humber if conditions demand.

Wells-next-the-sea, again in the safe conditions/good tide???

Thanks muchly,
RW
Read more at http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?422540-quot-All-Four-Corners-quot/page19#LDMbGqdq0jqYj3G0.99"

Brid now has pontoons with power and water. You dry to soft mud. They also do a three days for £20 deal-

Nearly went into Brid, nice sounding place, but Scarborough won-out with deeper water.
You can anchor by the pilot pier at Spurn but Grimsby (google Humber Cruising Assoc) is convenient and friendly if behind a lock. Easier than going up to Hull.
Anchored (in quite a breeze from NE at Spurn. Fearful tide meant I'd have taken nearly three hours to get back out from Grimsby the next morning. Very useful, in the right conditions

Fins can stay afloat at Wells on the pontoon now and the HM will advise and lead you in in the launch. Lowestoft Hamilton is 24hr and plenty of space. Southwold is nice, pontoons available, check for fins, I'm a bilge keel.
Wells was great. Really helpful and friendly people and a charming village. A "must do" , even if by motorcar!
The river entrance/exit is a challenge!!

Harwich has lots of Marinas. Shotley has baths! A gem is the free Halfpenny Pier pontoon. I jumped off for Ramsgate then.
I was in Levington (Royal suffolk YC). Excellent. I had to divert to Halfpenny on my way out for emergency attention to a leaking fuel filter. Useful, if messy, haven.
http://britainbyrivendell.weebly.co...bookcomgroups287097314802170/archives/06-2015
 
Many congratulations Robert! - from one (of the seemingly few ) Javelin 30 owners to another :-)

It must have been an amazing experience, and far too adventurous for the likes of me! I'm sorry that I wasn't in the Solent when you were so we could meet up, but we will, I hope, get to chat about these marvellous boats one day.

Paul
 
Good morning Paul,
Yes, it was a shame we couldn't have met up.

Never say never; you may one day do what I did - suddenly decide that it was time I had an attempt at a UKCircum. I always called it an "attempt" until I threw my lines ashore for the final time. Then it became a reality..
So, let the dream nurture itself within.
Good luck.

When the dust settles, I 'll contact you and we can chat.

Thanks for your best wishes.

R
 
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