Going their way?

Seakindly

Seakindly

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Two friendly italians have pitched up in Whitstable in what looks like a 15 ft open boat with a lug sail and oars. They plan to take the fresh water route to Istanbul but the next hurdle is the channel (and the passage round to Ramsgate I suppose). Their project is ecological -around water systems - and you can read about their experiences and plans here:


They'll set off from Wbubble Wed or Thursday. They haven't asked, but I wondered if anyone was going their way this week. They might need a watchful eye. I'm not entirely sure they've bargained for the amount of traffic there'll be going over. I'm meeting up tonight socially so any news, tips etc welcome. Also - I don't know if they have river permit for France. I've not done that myself -so any ideas about how to get those papers also welcome incase they haven't already done so. They have a pleasantly relaxed approach but at least I think they know one end of a boat from the other ( the skipper should have a sticker saying 'my other boat is an Alan Buchanan ketch').
 
piloti

I just lent them my copy of East Coast Pilot for homework! Great attitude - "We like to navigate by meeting local sailors. That way we don't have to carry a library of books". Do try to look them up -they may be here for a bit longer than planned til papers sorted and weather at weekend, they say, might be better for them. This morning the boat was on the yacht-club hard and they're pottering to get proper lifejackets and so on tomorrow. I'm certain they'd love to meet anyone with interest/local knowledge. Just had a great evening. Very nice people. If you'd like to pm email/mobile or whatever, I can pass it on. Jacamo, the skipper, is a big fan of Maurice Griffiths. The boat is rather nice.
 
I dropped by just now, had a quick chat but one of the locals turned up to carry him off to a hardware shop.
Interesting boat, it seems all the old Whitstable boat-builders are turning up to drool over it.
He said they would probably be there until Monday now so I'll try and go back there another day before then.
 
About 10 years ago was coming in Dover Western and overtook a gondola. Turned out it was two Italians who had come up from the Med and crossed Channel that day - they had the full Venetian striped shirt and hat rig ; were yours dressed appropriately?
 
From the gentlemen's website:

REQUEST
We are looking for a skipper willing to sail our support boat, a Seawych, from Faversham to Calais in the next few days. We're prepared to pay the return trip from France to England. We don't need an expert but someone experienced and possibly "wise". We would sail together.
Please contact info@manontheriver.com

They're currently in Oare Creek. I understand the Seawytch is in good nick but it's too tender for me; I like a somewhat bigger boat. On the other hand, some of you may be used to handling a boat like that.
 
Ought to be something that our club (Hollowshore) could help with but the timing is very unfortunate - almost the entire club is off towards the Medway and London at the end of the week.
 
Seakindly said:
Two friendly italians have pitched up in Whitstable in what looks like a 15 ft open boat with a lug sail and oars. They plan to take the fresh water route to Istanbul but the next hurdle is the channel (and the passage round to Ramsgate I suppose). Their project is ecological -around water systems - and you can read about their experiences and plans here:


They'll set off from Wbubble Wed or Thursday. They haven't asked, but I wondered if anyone was going their way this week. They might need a watchful eye. I'm not entirely sure they've bargained for the amount of traffic there'll be going over. I'm meeting up tonight socially so any news, tips etc welcome. Also - I don't know if they have river permit for France. I've not done that myself -so any ideas about how to get those papers also welcome incase they haven't already done so. They have a pleasantly relaxed approach but at least I think they know one end of a boat from the other ( the skipper should have a sticker saying 'my other boat is an Alan Buchanan ketch').
Click to expand...


French canal license can be obtained online from www.vnf.fr

good luck!
 
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