Harwich to Eastbourne next week

After dark taking the inside route will mean taking on the lobster and crab pots down to Medusa which I don't want to entertain really. Always prefer to see them which isn't always possible even when it is light!
 
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Departed RHYC @0215 today. Land guard to Dover just over 8 hrs . Interesting conditions out by LSH. Had a swim by by some porpoises which cheered up the crew. My dear wife has suffered the obligatory mal de mer and I suggested if we had had full sail we could have surfed 3sets in one and they would have cancelled out the rolling with northerlys. Tried to persuade crew to cross over tonight but one has to choose the right time for such suggestions!
A tad interesting for the young ones as their first day summer sail! Mind you better than yesterday with 7's and 8 in forecast. The cheese and wine will have to wait one more day.
Thanks all for input, as usual we are making it up as we go!
 
It appears that the passage out of Harwich which was lumpy was a tad too much for the diesel tank. Had to have it repaired when we discovered a leak two years ago. Having arrived in Dieppe on Weds after the engine appearing to have air in the fuel lines, discovered diesel in bilge in fact about 50 litres! Luckily I had kept the little 12v pump etc and with assistance from the marina emptied the bilge and remaining 50 or so litres from the tank into a can for reuse.
The sinking feeling of impending doom struck and the children who were anticipating a meal ashore were diverted to shop for bread and cheese whilst the mess was being cleared.
Luckily we were in Dieppe where we found Mega Offshore who agreed at short notice to inspect the tank. I made contact with tek tanks who were very quick to respond with quotes for a new tank. This could be advanced to us by the end of the following week. But the quickest way to get us back on trip was a repair. In fact the tank was completely re welded to avoid any repetitions and peace of mind.
The tank was refitted the next day after Lionel had worked on it through the evening. The mood in camp was more buoyant and after a hefty but fair repair bill was settled we were off again.
We made for St Valery en Caux which is charming. Interesting to have met sailing yacht Keppel - Richard Hare who has been making his way from the Med who we have berthed next to.
 
A result given every weld including fittings was re welded. The tank itself was ok but the seams apparently shot. He found 3 separate lengths of 20cm where it was leaking. In fact it was leaking 1.5 litre per he we estimated at the end.
Given the 12 hrs labour including welding and refitting etc it was a fair price to pay. The relief it is all sorted is huge and the energy spent on plan b c de yc can now be directed to enjoying the boat again.
We are certainly getting to replace pretty much everything on Orcana!
The new autohelm is brilliant this we had fitted just before leaving. Another week to go before planning the return to RHYC. Fecamp, Le Havre to hop to Honfleur then Probably Cherbourg before crossing to Sth coast.
Can recommend St V en C.
 
Well sorted. Is the tank mild steel or 304 stainless? They need to be kept fully topped up as the water in the fuel can cause condensation in the tank and eat away at the steel. Unfortunately you can never be sure what a previous owner has done.
 
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