Ready for an epic journey ?

Petrolia

Petrolia

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I recently read the article about the guy who took his inflatible from UK all the way to Varna on the Black Sea.

It was a great story and parts of it had me in stitches. It also made me feel pretty pathetic. I thought we were intrepid explorers going solo to Paris in a 40ft boat.

It seems most of us are scaredy cats. Having said that, crossing the channel alone in 4m seas the man was also slightly lacking in judgement. Must have been force 8 !

I'm lucky in that I get a lot of time off work. Also the kids are now pretty much self sufficient so anything is possible.

So the question is, is it time for an epic ? I fancy one. Black sea would be a good one but I don't fancy all that paperwork. I'm wondering if it would be possible to just wing it, sod the paperwork.

I think I'll try somewhere else instead. I may just aim for west Sweden / Norway next season and see where I end up. Perfectly happy to just leave the boat wherever it ends up. Then cruise back after the next season, or just go somewhere else.

Nipping accross the channel is OK but I think an epic is definitely required. A bit of the unknown. While we have health and can still afford the deisel.

Never mind slipping under the radar. Maybe it's time to move out of range completely.

All suggestions wellcome.
 
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I recently read the article about the guy who took his inflatible from UK all the way to Varna on the Black Sea.

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Where is this article?

I want to read it!
 
I sold my Nimbus 345 to a Hungarian chap who intended doing this same journey. Not sure he ever made it.
He gave me a book, that had been his inspiration, called "the voyage of Jack de Crow" (or similar).
About a school teacher who took a Mirror dinghy (very 2nd hand) from the Worcester area via Kennet and Avon canal and Thames to the Black Sea. Wonderful book, well written and amusing. An inspiration (in the extreme) for dreaming cruisers.
 
Middle of the season I met a solitary German guy on a 21 or 23 foot Hardy (can't remember) who was visiting Haslar. He had come solo from Berlin! Every year he does an epic trip - the previous year had been round the Baltic and Norway. By no means a numpty - the boat, although old had radar, Sea-Me and was immaculate. He looked after himself as well. I was chatting whilst he prepared dinner - a full meal, nicely presented on the plate, proper cutlery and table linen and a good glass of wine. If I ever end up on my own I would love to do what he did
 
Sweden and the noth coast of Germany were superb when we were up there last year. Northern Holland lloked good for exploring. Problems aside, we had a good time and I would like to go back up that way sometime.
 
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Sweden and the North coast of Germany were superb when we were up there last year.quote]

Did I miss your pics then??
 
Paul, often the journey to somewhere interesting has to be endured rather than enjoyed. Which is why some peeps ship their boat out by truck of course.
Just stick a pin in the map and go for it - unless you're contemplating a whole new lifestyle, a very different issue.

I just hope you'll continue to entertain and inform us with your accounts.
 
It was in last months motorboat monthy. I'll drop a copy off on your boat next time I'm down. Farther and two boys, great story but you have to wonder about their planning.
/forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif
Bob
 
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Must have done, pics are here [ QUOTE ]


Thanks, can't afford to stay away from this place!
Good write-up Rick. But going boating without a competent engineer on board is obviously foolhardy.
P'raps SWMBO is right after all . . .
 
Yes, it ws in November MBM. I'm looking at it again now.

Across the channel. Up the Belgium coast. Through Holland, Germany & Austria. Between Slovakia & Hungary. Across Hungary. Along border Croatia & Serbia. Across Serbia. Along Serbian/Romanian border. Then along Romanian / Bulgarian border. Through part of Romainia, touching Moldavia & Ukraine before arriving in Black sea. Then 200nm to Varna.

Father & two sons in an inflatible ! They wanted as small a 'boat' as possible to keep it challenging !!!

It took 41 days, throught 14 countries, 2694 miles & 73 locks.
Now that's what I call epic.
 
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It was in last months motorboat monthy. I'll drop a copy off on your boat next time I'm down. Farther and two boys, great story but you have to wonder about their planning.
/forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif
Bob

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Thanks, I'll go and buy a copy as it is in the current issue.

I like off the wall adventure stories.
 
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But going boating without a competent engineer on board is obviously foolhardy.[ QUOTE ]

Not sure I understand that comment?

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It's what I do all the time, like following Petrolia up the Seine recently - but singlehanded.
No wonder the Missus frets while I'm away!
 
coincidently I spoke with a friend last week he goes every year from Holland to Denmark and southcoats of Sweden in a 2 months trip with his Grand Banks. (42ft)
The area around Helsingborg, Kopenhagen, and final destination island Bornholm must be Very beautifull.
Usually he makes the trip allong Cuxhaven and the Kieler canal, but last year he went all along Jutland Limfjorden, and that was very nice. He was there in may / June period, and had only one day that the weather was really bad.
 
You know I think I might just do it.

Got several months to plan. Not that I do much planning. I planned the Paris trip the evening before we left Le Havre !

Denmark / Sweden here we come !

That's it I've said it. I'll have to do it now.
 
Here's a fabulous read

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Unlikely-Voyage-...0212&sr=8-1

This isnt the same story but was an amaizing adventure.
Its the story of a teacher of a school in Shropshire who is given a beaten up old Mirror dinghy from the school's sailing club. After a little reffiting, he decides to take some time off work and see how far the little Mirror Dinghy will take him. Starting off from the Shropshire Union Canal he travels down to the River Serern and works his way through England and then out into Europe - he finally makes it to the Black Sea. Absolutely no knowledge of boats, navigation or sailing - in fact the only map/chart he had was a large scale outline of Europe.

It makes for a fascinating read - Some of the things he did were beyond belief. All written down truthfully in this book. I'm not one for reading books but I couldnt put this one down.

Co-incidently, it was the school that I went to and I was particularly involved in the sailing club - It was here that I learned to sail - in fact it was in Mirror Dinghy sail no 29 and could have even been "Jack der Crow" that is featured in this book.

If you get a chance, read this book.

Just a little taster - upon reaching Sharpness on the River Severn, he was advised that the outboard motor on his dinghy wouldnt cope with the strong tides down to Avonmouth. "Outboard Motor" he replied "whats that" - he set off anyway with just his sail and oars.

Fab story.
 
When you have made the Journey to Sweden, it will be a shame to miss out on the most scenic part of Scandinavia .... Norway is just a short hop away ..... and when you are there go the South to SouthWest part and up to Bergen... then Shetland and Orkneys is just a hop & skip away... and by the time you have done the West Coast down,you will have covered more than the average boater...

Planning tools for the journey (have provided to other forumites who may elect to coment on suitability), advise on winter storage, or nice places to leave boat for a week or so in Norway/Scotland, regulations for EU vessels in Norway etc., available FOC from your local Noggie forumite ..... just a PM away /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
 
Hi, I wonder if anyone there did it to Sevastopol or Balaclava, Crimea? I know some guys did it in 1854 for sure:) We are thinking about doing it in 2012. Route for now is through Paris, Vienna, down Danube into Black Sea. Any advise?
 
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