How has your season been

Seastoke

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Ours has been shite because we both hve had hip replacements with first mate waiting for second , she blames me can’t think why. Spent time on boat but been far. We are starting to plan next season so would love to hear you cruising stories .
 
Excellent. Only a few days I have not been on the water. Had August off work, France several days, guernsey, sark, herm, Les Ecrehous, fishing and diving.

A weeks diving in Egypt then end of October to pack the RIB away for winter so hopefully a few more moules frites to be had. Have the fishing boat to use all winter, takes about 5 mins to crane in from storage shoreside.

The joys of living on a rock in the English Channel 😉
 
Just back on Tuesday from 6 weeks on the boat so the kids can go to school. Weather was overall good this year in SoF... quite sweaty at times, but not very windy. Unfortunately loads of bloody jellyfish, so had to keep our eyes peeled. Back a couple more times before end October, then hunkering down for the winter. A few of my summer pics... 20250814_085147 (1).jpg

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Mines been shite for health reasons also...the dog has prostate cancer.... I think we used the boat a couple of times in the beginning of the season before he became incontinent and we can no longer use a pet sitter
 
My legs are now so bad that walking is very difficult & I use a rolator. I launched the boat in June but was unable to get aboard. My son agreed to deliver me to Ostend on 10 Aug But weed was so horrendous I bit the bullet & paid Bradwell £400 to lift & jetwash 2 days before we left. Weather was foul & I was seasick from the Longsand head all the way to Ostend. My son motored the boat as he felt it unsafe with my condition & the pain I was suffering in legs & feet.
But we arrived in 13 hours which is good for 88 miles We travelled overnight in F5-6 . We found a temporary berth & moved in to the mercator lock mid day
So I had my first target, Shrimp salad. Second target Steak meal with my son & then I became ill due to excesses.
He then left me and came back to work
The Paulusfeesten was one of the best for years & the last 2 bands were brilliant. One being a Dire Straits Tribute Band & the final one being the Belgian Quo Tribute band. . So I have a fantastic memory after 22 years of the Paulusfeesten final song of Status Quo's Whatever You want at Full volume.
A few days cycling round Ostend- I cannot walk 50 Metres but I can cycle 5 KM !! Doctor says this is not unusual
Afternoonsdrinking Stella in the RNSYC every day. The chef even made me his special tomatoe soup.
Then at the end of the holiday, to my surprise, one of my friends turned up in his boat with an extra 20 litres of fuel. Another turned up to help my son get me home
So I treated the 3 of them to an evening meal in the RNSYC. Laced with cognacs bottles of wine & irish brandy
I went to pay the bill in cash 577 euros. I found I only had E560 but before I had left the boat I had grabbed a handfull of 2 euro coins I had saved for the launderette
I put them on the table & believe it or not I had just 18 Eu in coins. So I did not have to wash any dishes
At that point they chucked us out as the staff wanted to go home
I said my goodbyes to the staff & Simon the HM. He worked me a big discount on the fee & it was hugs all round as I will never be going back after 80 visits to a place with which I have fantastic memories since 1972. It has changed a lot & perhaps that is a good thing. But the night clubs had an attraction for a 20+ year old in the 70,s.racing in the EOARA & Stellas
They decided that due to my condition we would split the trip into 2 so motored in F5-6 head wind to Ramsgate Then hoped to sail to Bradwel as my last ever sail in my boat. But it was not to be. First I was in too much pain and it was too windy for me so more motoring Back home on 31 August
But I achieved my major points, apart from my last sail in my beloved boat, Daydream Believer will soon be on the market
 
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My legs are now so bad that walking is very difficult & I use a rolator. I launched the boat in June but was unable to get aboard. My sone agreed to deliver me to Ostend on 10 Aug But weed was so horrendous I bit the bullet & paid Bradwell £00 to lift & jetwash 2 days befor we left. Weather was foul & I was seasick from the Longsand head all the way to Ostend. My som motored the boat as he felt it unsafe with my condition & the pain I was suffering in legs & feet.
But we arrived in 13 hours which is good for 88 miles We travelled overnight . We found a temporary berth & moved in to the mercator lock mid day
So I had my first target, Shrimp salad. Second target Steak meal with my son & then became ill due to excesses.
He then left me and came back to work
The Paulusfeesten was one of the best for years & the last 2 bands were brillian One being a dire Straits Tribute Band & the final one being the Belgian Quo tribute band. . So I have a fantastic memory after 22 years of the Paulusfeesten of Status Quo's Whatever You want at Full volume.
few days cycling round Ostend- I cannot walk 50 Metres but I can cycle 5 KM !! Doctor says this is not unusual
After noons in the RNSYC every day. The chef even made me his special tomatoe soup
Then to my surprise one of my friends turned up in his boat with an extra 20 litres of fuel & another turned up to help my sone get me home
So I treated the 3 of them to an evening meal in the RNSYC. Laced with cognacs bottles of wine & irish brandy
I went to pay the bill in cash 577 euros. I found I only had 560 but before I had left the boat I had grabbed a handfull of 2 euro coins I had saved for the launderette
I put them on the table & believe it or not I had just 18 Eu in coins So I did not have to wash any dishes
At that point they chucked us out as the staff wanted to go home
They decided that due to my condition we would split the trip into 2 so motored in F5-6 head wind to Ramsgate Then hoped to sail to Bradwel as my last ever sail in my boat. But it was not to be. First I was in too much pain and it was too windy for me so more motoring
But I achieved my major points apart from my last sail & the boat will soon be on the market
Sorry to hear that DB….are you swallowing the anchor ?
 
Sorry to hear that DB….are you swallowing the anchor ?
Yes , That is the end of it. My Squib is up for sale & i have half share in a 20 ft open launch. I shall help to keep it maintained as it is used to place moorings. It is quite smart & I intend to keep it that way if I can. We have just had a new launching trailer built so it can be launched or recovered in under 30 mins. But I cannot go on it as I cannot get in & out of the dinghy & walk down the beach. My fellow owner & our HM will operate it. It is lovely to drive & does about 8 kts So I will be jealous
 
We have not had as much activity on the boat this season, still we managed to clock up over 375NM on the canals, had some great times and a disastrous end to our summer, which has curtailed the cruising and had to cancel a couple of cruises with friends. Boat is mostly ok, not going into details here just now until things are sorted, just saying we encountered an not very professional person that put us in jeopardy, we did have to call the police and the Waterweg.

So up until 1 week ago life was great, now we are awaiting insurance and surveyors and it has put a damper on our trip to Scotland shortly.

A few days cycling round Ostend- I cannot walk 50 Metres but I can cycle 5 KM !! Doctor says this is not unusual
Sorry to hear about your pain, cycling has really helped my knees, though I use an electric bike it helps build the muscles that stabilise the knees, just started using my son's rowing machine too, that has been helping my shoulders and back, feeling much better for it, discovered it when I had to row our dingy 2km back to the boat after the engine failed, darn weed in the canal!
 
We have not had as much activity on the boat this season, still we managed to clock up over 375NM on the canals, had some great times and a disastrous end to our summer, which has curtailed the cruising and had to cancel a couple of cruises with friends. Boat is mostly ok, not going into details here just now until things are sorted, just saying we encountered an not very professional person that put us in jeopardy, we did have to call the police and the Waterweg.

So up until 1 week ago life was great, now we are awaiting insurance and surveyors and it has put a damper on our trip to Scotland shortly.


Sorry to hear about your pain, cycling has really helped my knees, though I use an electric bike it helps build the muscles that stabilise the knees, just started using my son's rowing machine too, that has been helping my shoulders and back, feeling much better for it, discovered it when I had to row our dingy 2km back to the boat after the engine failed, darn weed in the canal!
Sounds serious.....are you going to tell us what happened ?
 
Sorry to hear your sad tales and hope all is as well as can be - feel I know you all - perhaps there is a place in the market for a level access boat about 25-35ft long with electrically controlled sails etc - might not need too much adaption of something basically suitable - don't give up completely though - there are ways.
 
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Great.

I had to leave for a long trip in may (still underway) 1 day before I got my new boat.
So no summer boating activities for me.

The old boat I had put up for sale sank due to a torn overboard fitting in heavy rain. The engine is a goner. There goes my electronics/fittings budget for the new boat.
 
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