tome
New member
Planned a 6pm departure Thursday night subject to weather with Friday am departure as backstop. In the week leading up to the trip ignored all long range forecasts, but watched patterns. On the day of departure, saw winds up to F8 channel but forecasts converged on N-NW 4/5 overnight. Decided to go as planned but expected swell from earlier winds.
Depart Northney 18:10 after fuelling, destination St Vaast. Weather looked good for return trip.
All 5 crew donned lifejackets and harnesses, and set watches from 20:00. Motored until S of Bmbridge when the NW winds appeared clear of the land. Set full genoa only, engine off. Log not working despite clearing paddle-wheel. Moon appeared about 2100.
Steady sail over with occasional confused seas making steering difficult, but winds much as forecast. Crew all happy until about 03:00 when one of them was caught by a roll exiting heads, trapping 2 fingers in the door hinges. Cleaned up wounds and nothing broken so stopped blood and rested crew. He'll lose a finger nail, possibly two. Remaining crew increased watches to cover. Moon disappeared below horizon.
Took one big roll when 20M north St Vaast otherwise steady sailing with the occasional sideswipe. Heard that fleet was diverting Cherbourg and altered course to meet up. Tied up Cherbourg 06:30 and had showers followed by breakfast then sleep for all. A promising start.
Friday was a lazy day whilst we awaited the arrival of fleet (most were leaving Friday am). Saturday was better with visits to and from various boats, including BigLes on Yanez with whom we swapped passage plans beforehand. Loved the curved doors TK showed me on Irish Eyes (First 47.7), wondered afterwards if they were originally built this way (Benjebav joke). Glass of wine on Glen Rosa and great company.
Lunchtime, we decided on a quick beer in Le Skiff bar. Met crews of Clipper Rose and Yanez who had the sense to make it a brief visit. One of our crew took on a Frenchman at the dart board. The Frenchman was good, but my crew is like a terrier and doesn't give up. He's quite tasty at darts as well. The Frenchie trashed him over and again to the delight of the patron, but the terrier just wouldn't give up. Eventually, he took a game off him and the patron confessed that monsieur Shumacker-look-alike was aka the French darts champion. He then took us on a tour of his bar, pointing out trophies and photographs of Schumacker. We were showered with gifts including tee-shirts,key rings etc. The French promised us a return match in Emsworth. As we tried to leave the bar, we were brought more drinks by the friendly locals and eventually left amongst much emotional hugging. Two of the Frenchies were floor ridden, so we felt we had a result.
I went back to the boat and awaited our minstrel, who had gone missing. He eventually returned to tell me he was 'muppeted' but could still play the guitar. Joined by Yanez crew for oysters, a couple of quick tunes and photos. Returned to Le Skiff to hoover up remaining crew.
Pointed out to my reluctant crew that we had come to join a dinner. Only the terrier thought this a good idea and we made our way by taxi to the great hall of entertainment as most of the SB ensemble were leaving. I vaguely remember someone cheering our arrival, though this could have been myself. I wore the 'Call me Julie' badge I was awarded all the way home. Terrier lost a carrier bag with all his darts trophies and 200 fags whilst we were there.
Our first crew was up at 05:30 the following morning for our departure. He was able to adjust all the ships clocks to 09:30 and warn the crew that any delay would mean missing a pint the other end. As owner, I stayed in my berth whilst the relief skipper took her back to earn YM points. Crafty, or what?
Westerly winds built steadily on the way home giving us a great sail in flat seas and bright sunshine. Our speed crept up and our skipper notes in log 'at boat owners request overtaken all boats bar 1', which we believe was doms boat with the distorted doors followed by 'owner took the helm 10 mins'. By 17:00 we put our first reef in the main in building winds, and I took over the helm for a couple of hours of great sailing whilst our speed topped 10 knots. Such is the owners prerogative.
All tied up by 19:30 and I've been hearing reports of poor crew job performance ever since.
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Depart Northney 18:10 after fuelling, destination St Vaast. Weather looked good for return trip.
All 5 crew donned lifejackets and harnesses, and set watches from 20:00. Motored until S of Bmbridge when the NW winds appeared clear of the land. Set full genoa only, engine off. Log not working despite clearing paddle-wheel. Moon appeared about 2100.
Steady sail over with occasional confused seas making steering difficult, but winds much as forecast. Crew all happy until about 03:00 when one of them was caught by a roll exiting heads, trapping 2 fingers in the door hinges. Cleaned up wounds and nothing broken so stopped blood and rested crew. He'll lose a finger nail, possibly two. Remaining crew increased watches to cover. Moon disappeared below horizon.
Took one big roll when 20M north St Vaast otherwise steady sailing with the occasional sideswipe. Heard that fleet was diverting Cherbourg and altered course to meet up. Tied up Cherbourg 06:30 and had showers followed by breakfast then sleep for all. A promising start.
Friday was a lazy day whilst we awaited the arrival of fleet (most were leaving Friday am). Saturday was better with visits to and from various boats, including BigLes on Yanez with whom we swapped passage plans beforehand. Loved the curved doors TK showed me on Irish Eyes (First 47.7), wondered afterwards if they were originally built this way (Benjebav joke). Glass of wine on Glen Rosa and great company.
Lunchtime, we decided on a quick beer in Le Skiff bar. Met crews of Clipper Rose and Yanez who had the sense to make it a brief visit. One of our crew took on a Frenchman at the dart board. The Frenchman was good, but my crew is like a terrier and doesn't give up. He's quite tasty at darts as well. The Frenchie trashed him over and again to the delight of the patron, but the terrier just wouldn't give up. Eventually, he took a game off him and the patron confessed that monsieur Shumacker-look-alike was aka the French darts champion. He then took us on a tour of his bar, pointing out trophies and photographs of Schumacker. We were showered with gifts including tee-shirts,key rings etc. The French promised us a return match in Emsworth. As we tried to leave the bar, we were brought more drinks by the friendly locals and eventually left amongst much emotional hugging. Two of the Frenchies were floor ridden, so we felt we had a result.
I went back to the boat and awaited our minstrel, who had gone missing. He eventually returned to tell me he was 'muppeted' but could still play the guitar. Joined by Yanez crew for oysters, a couple of quick tunes and photos. Returned to Le Skiff to hoover up remaining crew.
Pointed out to my reluctant crew that we had come to join a dinner. Only the terrier thought this a good idea and we made our way by taxi to the great hall of entertainment as most of the SB ensemble were leaving. I vaguely remember someone cheering our arrival, though this could have been myself. I wore the 'Call me Julie' badge I was awarded all the way home. Terrier lost a carrier bag with all his darts trophies and 200 fags whilst we were there.
Our first crew was up at 05:30 the following morning for our departure. He was able to adjust all the ships clocks to 09:30 and warn the crew that any delay would mean missing a pint the other end. As owner, I stayed in my berth whilst the relief skipper took her back to earn YM points. Crafty, or what?
Westerly winds built steadily on the way home giving us a great sail in flat seas and bright sunshine. Our speed crept up and our skipper notes in log 'at boat owners request overtaken all boats bar 1', which we believe was doms boat with the distorted doors followed by 'owner took the helm 10 mins'. By 17:00 we put our first reef in the main in building winds, and I took over the helm for a couple of hours of great sailing whilst our speed topped 10 knots. Such is the owners prerogative.
All tied up by 19:30 and I've been hearing reports of poor crew job performance ever since.
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