My first cross channel

[Geoffs]

Did my first cross channel run last Friday with Duncan showing me the way

Left Poole about 12:30 with perfect conditions, half'ish accross looked like this,

Duncan stopped off at The Casquettes for a bit of fishing, so I had to press on to St. Peter Port on my own, got there.

Staurday turned out very foggy, the fishermen went off, but I staid safe in SPP>

Fog cleared a bit in the afternoon, but banks kept rolling in, the Condor came in in one of the clearer patches.

Sunday nice and clear and bright, met with fishers on the Schole Bank, but had to wait for this.

Off to Braye for a while, while the fishers depleted the CI stocks.

Then off back to Poole, thanks to Duncan for seeing me accross for the first time.

 

[B175Chris]

great pics, thanks!

What is that you have on the front? Some kind of Halogen?

 

[Geoffs]

Yeh, just a halogen spotlight that swivels and goes up and down. Never really used it, it's about 100 watt and would dazzle anyone at night, I think. Might come in handy one day.

 

[B175Chris]

Looks like a good bit of kit, you wouldnt be able to keep me in at night with that thing on, probably a good job I dotn have one /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I'm dangerous enough in broad daylight /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[makkers]

Great pictures and I guess that congratulations are in order, I am aiming to do my first x-channel later this year as last years attempt was called off due to a poor weather forecast for the return leg.

Must admit I was a bit tempted on Sunday morning en-route to Swanage by hanging a left past the needles but swmbo wanted to be home before dark! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

How long did the trip take?

 

[Sneds]

Great pics! My inlaws were on that Condor! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
They said the sea was as flat as they'd ever seen.

 

[longjohnsilver]

What did you think of Alderney. One of my favourite places but not been for a few years.

No doubt you'll be doing many more trips across now!

 

[jhr]

[ QUOTE ]
Yeh, just a halogen spotlight that swivels and goes up and down. Never really used it, it's about 100 watt and would dazzle anyone at night, I think. Might come in handy one day.

[/ QUOTE ] Wasn't fitted by the previous owner by any chance, was it? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[big_si]

Nice one, glad there were no dramas for you, i have sent this little post on to Shelley, just to calm her fears a bit.

We're off to the CIs in July if any one wants to go across the channel in company?

 

[Whitelighter]

How long are you going for? Could be tempted to join you if you're going over at a weekend.

 

[MedDreamer]

How? Swimming? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Whitelighter]

New boat arrives at the end of the month. Yippee

 

[MedDreamer]

Oooo, I wonder what it is /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Whitelighter]

I'm not biting today /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[big_si]

we plan on spending about 5 or 6 days down there, we've booked the week of the 23rd July off work.

 

[Geoffs]

Only spent a couple of hours there, but lovely place. Fascinated by the little trains. Appeared to be old London underground carrieages pushed nd pulled by little industrial diesel shunter. Sort of InterVilliage 10 /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[Geoffs]

No by builders actually /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[Whitelighter]

Would you be going out on the Weekend? If so I could join you on the way out, but I would have to come back on the Monday

 

[duncan]

a pleasure to have you along Geoff............

the weather window looked good

the planning was extensive

Phaeton was loaded up for the trip (trays of Stella and extra old Mountgay..... /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif)

rendevous agreed

launch Phaeton after extensive winter refit, including polish which I think Geoffs pics show so well!), and promptly hit a submerged object in Poole Harbour 8 mins out........... /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Here the influence of tcm and others came in.....serious vibration/ obvious damage to underwater gear....ring boatyard, limp back and get lifted straight away.

Picture poor - duo props mangled, skeg gone walkabout. Call to Holes bay marine in CObbs....'got any props....B3 22p?'...no! coming over anyway............

get there - you can have these, customers but.....top dogs only had to pay full retail and they were mine!

refit props, stellas alround (except me) and relaunched!

fueled

met Geoff

left harbour chased out by Barfleur

good run over - interupted only by a call from Geoff..............what's the route plan......turn right at Old Harry, past Peveril and straight on I said - silence the response...

mid channel and I spot mackerel on the sounder so we stop

geoff plays with his toys

all told at this point I am getting peeved about questions like
'what's going on over there?' - we were dancing to the beachboys........

anyhow Geoff has covered the CI bit so here he is on the way back (I left the sun bit in for SWMBOs wanting to understand just how beautifull it can be out there.............)

another grat trip I wouldn't have missed for the world

 

[Geoffs]

Thanks Duncan, some great shots, apart from the fat old git on my boat. Dreadful seeing yourself as other do. No more McDonalds for me. Yeh, right!

Didn't think Barfleur was that close, or is that just the camera angle?

Off to Poole now to give the tub a clean up, didn't get a chance when we got back on Sunday. I think that blue gel coat needs a bit more polish, looking decididly dull /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif