Plymouth to Scotland, an update

[oldbilbo]

"Are we there yet...?"

 

[kyleview]

"Are we there yet...?"

I would think so as they passed Toward Point at 11.00, but wind was from NE at F4/5 so maybe 14.00 before they made Rhu.

 

[john_morris_uk]

Take it that was you flying along off Bute with a reefed main and putting in a tack off Toward Point Lighthouse at 11.00 this morning. You looked to be really motoring and enjoying your sail up the Clyde. Nice way to finish a trip, abet a bit cool and drizzle. Next week is looking up weather wise, that said March / April have been good up here, May so far disappointing.

Yes, that was us. With the mate navigating and running the boat and me trying not to interfere!

We had another cracking sail and arrived at Rhu about 1430. Now in the marina overnight and off to the pub for a bite to eat. It was a bit cold but nice to see some other boats out on the water.

 

[OGITD]

John! … your timings impeccable!

Because.

And looking forward to seeing you for more of the same during the season.

OG

 

[IanH]

Hi John,

gutted I missed the opportunity to say hello to you in Douglas. My office is in the sea terminal so popping down to say hello is very easy. Maybe if you return to explore you could let me know and I could say hello.

Glad you met the helpful harbour keeper - can you remember his name?

Cheers

Ian

 

[john_morris_uk]

Hi John,

gutted I missed the opportunity to say hello to you in Douglas. My office is in the sea terminal so popping down to say hello is very easy. Maybe if you return to explore you could let me know and I could say hello.

Glad you met the helpful harbour keeper - can you remember his name?

Cheers

Ian

Doubly unfortunate as I was in the terminal building twice! I went up to the port control/harbour masters main cabouche where the man (sorry I didn't get his name) couldn't have been more helpful. He got the latest XC weather up on the Internet and explained that one of the other harbour staff was out in the harbour looking for me. I paid my dues and met up with Neil from the staff on the quayside. New to the job, very warm and friendly and on hearing my questions about fuel and chandlery etc personally drove me round to the chandlers while he went to sort out shower prepaid cards and then came and found me in the chandlers to hand them over.

We will certainly try to come back and look forward to saying hello. We noted that the RNLI flag was at half mast in St Mary's in memory of their ex second coxswain whose funeral it was the day afterwards. It made me wonder how many lifeboats an island such as the Isle of Man gets allocated?

 

[IanH]

We will certainly try to come back and look forward to saying hello. We noted that the RNLI flag was at half mast in St Mary's in memory of their ex second coxswain whose funeral it was the day afterwards. It made me wonder how many lifeboats an island such as the Isle of Man gets allocated?

I've had a quick think about that and think that I am right to say four of the big offshore jobbies (I am sorry that I am so rubbish that I don't know the names of the classes) at Douglas, PSM, Peel and Ramsey and one RIB at Port Erin.

So, quite a few but I think it's because of our position exactly half way between Scotland and Ireland.

I.

 

[A1Sailor]

He got the latest XC weather up on the Internet and explained that one of the other harbour staff was out in the harbour looking for me. I paid my dues and met up with Neil from the staff on the quayside. New to the job, very warm and friendly and on hearing my questions about fuel and chandlery etc personally drove me round to the chandlers while he went to sort out shower prepaid cards and then came and found me in the chandlers to hand them over.

Exactly the welcome and courtesy that you would expect from a well run marina or harbour office.
Many years ago, before we became berth holders, my wife and I were going in to Largs Yacht Haven; not quite in the dark, but gathering gloom. Imagine my surprise and appreciation when the duty guy appeared unannounced at the berth he'd just allocated us to take our warps...

 

[earlybird]

Exactly the welcome and courtesy that you would expect from a well run marina or harbour office.
.QUOTE]
Nice to hear, but it hasn't always been like that in IOM.
IIRC, some years ago, after re-organisation and complaints from visitors, the authorities actually sent harbour staff to a charm school.
Must have been a good course!

 

[john_morris_uk]

Exactly the welcome and courtesy that you would expect from a well run marina or harbour office.
Many years ago, before we became berth holders, my wife and I were going in to Largs Yacht Haven; not quite in the dark, but gathering gloom. Imagine my surprise and appreciation when the duty guy appeared unannounced at the berth he'd just allocated us to take our warps...

Perhaps I have been made cynical by some of the receptions/attitudes one comes across on the S Coast? Too many places keen to take your money first before any service is offered!

 

[A1Sailor]

Perhaps I have been made cynical by some of the receptions/attitudes one comes across on the S Coast? Too many places keen to take your money first before any service is offered!

Can't promise that everybody will be as nice - but welcome to Clyde/Caledonia, John.

 

[john_morris_uk]

some pictures

Three crew feeding the fish first day out.

Leaving Falmouth day 2

Landsend before the fine sailing wind died and we motored across to Milford Haven

New crew being sick - note the previously sick crew now a salty seadog and caring for the new sick one! They joined up on the same day less than a year ago.

Brisk conditions in Canaerfon Bay

Serendipity in Douglas Harbour inner basin.

Sailing towards the Calf of Man

Into the Clyde - motoring past Ailsa Craig

Serendipity on her new mooring.