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nathanlee

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from Lowestoft!

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Was a bit dubious about going out in a Northerly, and had major butterflies as I left my mooring (I always feel nervous when I leave for some reason, but this time it was quite severe). As soon as I was out of the bar I relaxed, aided by the sight of other yachts out there.
They soon turned off in their own directions and I was on my own up the coast.

I headed 60 degrees, because of the wind, and set out on a massive tack. I got about 8 miles offshore, then decided I should take a tack back in, albeit loosing ground) so I was closer to the coast should anything go wrong (the ballast in the keels was slamming about!).

Eventually got to Soutwold, and though, sod it, so continued to Lowestoft.
Departed 0900, arrived 2100. 12 hours sailing... ok, I admit, I was trying to get as far north as I could, so I motor sailed all the way. With the tide I was getting 7 knots. For the last hour, not wanting to come in at night I dropped the sails so I didn't have to lay out these tacks, and motored.

Good Day. I'm happy I've made progress. I've got the the end of my first pilot book!

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Fantastic effort Nathan, great news and well done. Sorry haven't been in touch for a while - work work work etc. How is Sinbad getting on - behaving yet ??
 
Congrats, it must feel good to have got a big trip done. I get butterflies for an hour or so every time we are due to cast off, don't know why, wish I didn't, but it makes me plan I suppose.
 
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I would think that the next bit might be the hardest bit of the trip. Good luck from here on.

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Oh nice, cheers for that! hahah.

No, the next bit is only a small concern, although it is one. The biggets, hardest, most bastardy bit of the trip is from Wells to Whitby. Three days, two nights, perhaps a little more. Gulp!
 
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How is Sinbad getting on - behaving yet ??

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YES! I moved the whole affair back 5" on the tiller and it worked wonderfully. Not one moment of worry. It did some slightly too close to the wind a couple of times, and then slightly too far from it, but nothing to worry about. He pretty much steered all the way apart from a couple of hours when I got bored and wanted a go on the tiller.

Wind over tide for half the trip was fun, since it left a sea behind well after the tide turned. In fact, it didn't abate until about three hours before I got in. I like the heavy rollers, but the short choppy stuff is tedious.

I tried out my egg timer too. haha. I had a few snoozes in the cockpit, wrapped up in waterproofs and warm stuff with my back to the weather.

I didn't actually fall asleep but was close to it, completely relaxed until we got slammed hard on an angry wave now and then.

I'm glad I've got here anyway. I set off this morning in a mood that was shameful. It was the closest I've been to giving up. I mean, I was a LONG way from actually taking that thought seriously, but it was the first time I had thought, what the hell am I doing.

It's lucky I'm a stubborn little **** I guess, because although today was long, I enjoyed it. I'm back in the game now. I do have a few things I need to sort out before I set off again though, as always. I need to glass in the ballast since it was slamming around in the keels and making me nervous. Lead pig vs GRP keel is a one way fight.
 
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[ QUOTE ]
How is Sinbad getting on - behaving yet ??

[/ QUOTE ]

YES! I moved the whole affair back 5" on the tiller and it worked wonderfully. Not one moment of worry. It did some slightly too close to the wind a couple of times, and then slightly too far from it, but nothing to worry about. He pretty much steered all the way apart from a couple of hours when I got bored and wanted a go on the tiller.



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I claim that one.

Well done mate, its a lot easier with Sinbad helping out.
 
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I claim that one.

Well done mate, its a lot easier with Sinbad helping out.

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Absolutely.

Oh, I went mad an thought of a song while I was sailing along...

Ready?

I saw a mermaid on my bow and she said Hi to me
She had two great big cardinals and flashed her lights at me
Six plus one is what they said, and so I headed south.
I altered course and went down there, and thanked her with my mouth.

hahah.
 
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Well done again Nathan, you'll have to watch out now - "Here be Dragons" is on the charts from there to Whitby! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

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Not forgetting the famous Lambton Worm when you get to Northumberland! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
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Well done again Nathan, you'll have to watch out now - "Here be Dragons" is on the charts from there to Whitby! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Not forgetting the famous Lambton Worm when you get to Northumberland! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

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You guys are not helping!

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Really though, I am worried about this leg. I'm thinking about hopping to yarmouth for an overnight ti knock a few hours off the trip to wells.

Waddaya reckon?
 
Nathan.
there really is little in Yarmouth for you...

IIRC they frequently discourage yachts from entering....its a very busy commercial port.
and there is nowhere nice to tie up....town quay is not a pleasant place most of the time...

Well done on getting to my old home base, though i am pleased i dived south /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

D3B
 
I've been there and wouldn't bother!

You'll spend far more time dodging big ships in the river before organising a mooring against a steel pile wall surrounded by commercial stuff which isn't too choosy about bouncing off little boats (one did it to us by mooring badly).
If the river is running when the tide goes out you'll be bouncing like a roller coaster.

All that before heading back down the same river next morning between thousands of tons of shipping!

You'll make Wells easily and it's a far nicer place to stay.....
 
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