Circumnavigation of Britain & Ireland : 2021 to 2024

Bristolfashion

Well-known member
Joined
19 May 2018
Messages
6,131
Visit site
My description of "marina" or "pontoon" is a bit random - the associated services ranged from zero to luxurious (and not necessarily following price!) - but with either, there's a pontoon!

Frankly, we were usually just happy to tie up somewhere and toddle off the boat.
 

Concerto

Well-known member
Joined
16 Jul 2014
Messages
6,131
Location
Chatham Maritime Marina
Visit site
Very interesting thread, we’re planning to do circumnavigation next year and just starting looking at route etc. most will be single handed with starting from Hull and probably going anti clockwise as well.
Do you have your list on a spreadsheet by any chance?
You may find my list of threads I wrote on my anti clockwise single handed Round Britain trip starting from Chatham. They are all in my About Me page, along with the associated YouTube videos.
 

Greg2

Well-known member
Joined
24 Jun 2002
Messages
4,427
Visit site
Some very interesting and helpful information here so thanks for sharing.

I would like to do a leisurely circumnavigation, taking time to go inland on rivers and in particular going up the Shannon in Ireland as SWMBO is from the north of Ireland, but I have not entirely convinced her that it is a good plan for retirement. I suspect she finds the inland waters of Europe and possibly a trip down to the Med via canals and rivers more alluring.

As an east coast boater was I wasn’t surprised to see the Butt and Oyster your list of notable pubs but I didn’t expect to see the Kings Head at Tollesbury included. We love Tollesbury but rarely frequent the pub, are we missing a trick?!
 

Bristolfashion

Well-known member
Joined
19 May 2018
Messages
6,131
Visit site
Some very interesting and helpful information here so thanks for sharing.

I would like to do a leisurely circumnavigation, taking time to go inland on rivers and in particular going up the Shannon in Ireland as SWMBO is from the north of Ireland, but I have not entirely convinced her that it is a good plan for retirement. I suspect she finds the inland waters of Europe and possibly a trip down to the Med via canals and rivers more alluring.

As an east coast boater was I wasn’t surprised to see the Butt and Oyster your list of notable pubs but I didn’t expect to see the Kings Head at Tollesbury included. We love Tollesbury but rarely frequent the pub, are we missing a trick?!
Well, on pubs, as I have said on everything else, these preferences are 100% personal bias. We strolled past the pub, they were advertising roast lunch the next day, they were friendly and had the superb Colleys Dog from Tring Brewery on pump. The lunch was excellent.

Can't guarantee that you'll have the same experience, but worth a go.
 

benjenbav

Well-known member
Joined
12 Aug 2004
Messages
15,207
Visit site
Very well done. It sounds as though you enjoyed it thoroughly.

Did your plans change significantly as you progressed or did you more or less reach your intended destinations throughout - other than retracing your steps to accommodate friends as you have explained?
 

Bristolfashion

Well-known member
Joined
19 May 2018
Messages
6,131
Visit site
Very well done. It sounds as though you enjoyed it thoroughly.

Did your plans change significantly as you progressed or did you more or less reach your intended destinations throughout - other than retracing your steps to accommodate friends as you have explained?
Well, we didn't make a detailed plan - little more than : 3 seasons, around UK, including "over the top" of Scotland.

We then planned sensible passages bearing in mind weather, tides, access and places we simply fancied going.

Both Orkney & Shetland came about because we saw highly suitable weather windows to go with plenty of time for a return passage.

In year 3, the big change was that we realised that we had time to include Ireland.

We were very fortunate that we had no time constraints and could also leave the boat at any suitable location.

I'm sure that some people like to research every location and make a detailed itinerary - we were less structured.
 

Concerto

Well-known member
Joined
16 Jul 2014
Messages
6,131
Location
Chatham Maritime Marina
Visit site
Being too structured does not allow you to go to places other sailors suggest when nearby or change plans if the weather is not suitable. Only select the most important places you want to visit and then plan enroute, you may find some absolute gems that detailed pre-planning miss. A number of places I visited on my circumnavigation were purely on local recommendations.
 

Daverw

Well-known member
Joined
2 Nov 2016
Messages
2,834
Location
Humber
Visit site
Being too structured does not allow you to go to places other sailors suggest when nearby or change plans if the weather is not suitable. Only select the most important places you want to visit and then plan enroute, you may find some absolute gems that detailed pre-planning miss. A number of places I visited on my circumnavigation were purely on local recommendations.
This is exactly what we are just starting to do, we are doing it as two boats mostly single handed without real time constraints, been wanting to do this for a few years but only retired this January so now have the chance, my mate is the same
 

Bristolfashion

Well-known member
Joined
19 May 2018
Messages
6,131
Visit site
And once you read the pilot guide carefully, there are a good few "oooh, look, we could go THERE" moments! Newry Canal comes to mind.
 

Daverw

Well-known member
Joined
2 Nov 2016
Messages
2,834
Location
Humber
Visit site
This is exactly what we are just starting to do, we are doing it as two boats mostly single handed without real time constraints, been wanting to do this for a few years but only retired this January so now have the chance, my mate is the same
Just to also add, we are starting to look for cruising guides for east coast of Scotland and lower west coast of Scotland if anyone has anything usefull they want to sell, and guides for Caledonian canal
 

Bristolfashion

Well-known member
Joined
19 May 2018
Messages
6,131
Visit site
Just to also add, we are starting to look for cruising guides for east coast of Scotland and lower west coast of Scotland if anyone has anything usefull they want to sell, and guides for Caledonian canal
I think that I just read in the CA magazine that there's a new CCC guide to the Outer Hebrides just published.

I'd happily sell our range of guides - but the admiral wants to keep 'em as souvenirs!
 

dunedin

Well-known member
Joined
3 Feb 2004
Messages
13,506
Location
Boat (over winters in) the Clyde
Visit site
I think that I just read in the CA magazine that there's a new CCC guide to the Outer Hebrides just published.

I'd happily sell our range of guides - but the admiral wants to keep 'em as souvenirs!
Yes new CCC Guide for Outer Hebrides was published in 2024 (though with weather this year I never managed to use it!). And another update planned for 2025, but can't remember which volume(s) that covers.

But yes, they are fantastic books with lots of lovely pictures and a great memento to keep. I have our superseded sets in the boating bookcase just an arms reach away,
 

dunedin

Well-known member
Joined
3 Feb 2004
Messages
13,506
Location
Boat (over winters in) the Clyde
Visit site
Well, we didn't make a detailed plan - little more than : 3 seasons, around UK, including "over the top" of Scotland.

We then planned sensible passages bearing in mind weather, tides, access and places we simply fancied going.

Both Orkney & Shetland came about because we saw highly suitable weather windows to go with plenty of time for a return passage.

.........
That is indeed the best "plan" to be flexible and go with what the weather enables.
As ever, fixed plans and fixed timetables do not make a comfortable cruise.
 

Bristolfashion

Well-known member
Joined
19 May 2018
Messages
6,131
Visit site
Whilst I realise that many here will have achieved WAY more epic adventures, it has been a big thing for us ...... but, the big question is "what next"? Should we back off sailing for a while and tick off a few other things or press on?

It's a dilemma!
 
Top