Round Britain day 3

[Concerto]

Guess where I am? Still in Lowestoft. The shipping forecast and weather apps were all showing NW 5 to 6, possibly 7. That makes the Norfolk coast a lee shore and Wells has access only 2 hours either side of HW. It is 54 miles from Lowestoft and most of this would be a close fetch with an odd tack. However there is no other port of refuge along this coast and would have meant if I missed the tidal gate either beating another 50+ miles to the Humber or return 40 miles to Great Yarmouth. So prudently I decided to stay put until the wind direction changes (probaly Monday) and do some jobs onboard. The main one today was trying the portable washing machine. Washes fine and rinses OK, but the spinner is poor. Also used a lot of water, so not that practicable if not having a ready means to refill the tank. Virtually everything dried in the breeze today, just a few bits to finish tomorrow.

Had a long chat with a Westerly 33 owner and later a Westerly Storm tied alongside. I was greated with "Hello Roger". It transpires I have chatted online to the crew member about a Fulmar he is renovating in Gillingham that has been left neglected ashore for about 18 years, but he lives in N Wales. The owner and his wife said we had spoken about 3 months ago when he visited Chatham, despite berthing in Gillingham Marina. Such a small world. Ended up having a meal with them and tomorrow they are coming aboard Concerto to see some of the work I have done. She would love pressurised hot and cold water with a shower and a nicer sprayhood.

In Lowestoft there are more Dutch boats than British boats, which has surprised me. Chatting with the marina staff, they know of several more due to arrive tomorrow. Come on, get sailing, the weather is lovely - well not that good today for me. I will not post again until I reach Wells.

 

[Frogmogman]

Never mind. It’s an opportunity to enjoy a few pints of Adnams.

 

[Bru]

Guess where I am? Still in Lowestoft. The shipping forecast and weather apps were all showing NW 5 to 6, possibly 7. That makes the Norfolk coast a lee shore and Wells has access only 2 hours either side of HW. It is 54 miles from Lowestoft and most of this would be a close fetch with an odd tack. However there is no other port of refuge along this coast and would have meant if I missed the tidal gate either beating another 50+ miles to the Humber or return 40 miles to Great Yarmouth.

A wise decision to stay put I think. Trying to get into Wells in anything above a 4 with North in it is, according to my pilot books, not at all advisable

We once set out from Lowestoft to Wells with a favourable forecast only to end up turning back roughly off Sheringham to head all the way back to Lowestoft because the wind went to Nor-westerly F5 to F6 and we were struggling to make it in time, even if we could then have got over the bar. After about 18 hours in total there and back to see how far it was, I was mightly miffed on arrival back in Lowestoft to find the bar closed!!!!

 

[capnsensible]

Thanks Captain C for a most enjoyable thread.

Happy voyaging!

 

[Neeves]

Thanks Roger,

I'm following you with interest.

The weather will dictate everything you do - get used to it . By all means make plans but as you have found, be flexible, and enjoy the delays.

Don't give up, yet, on the washing machine. Just programme the laundry to be completed every time you are in a marina (and the weather goes against you) - then the water issues disappear - but, sadly, not the spin ability. If you thought to save weight by restricting the towels, bedlinen etc - then go and buy some spares tomorrow - you were wondering how to usefully use the enforced stopover ..... but maybe you will be ironing.


We were once in Honfleur about 5 years ago - it was packed full of UK yachts, all wearing the correct flags - how else would I know. They were all rafted up. I was most impressed. I spoke to a couple of owners - It turned out to be the annual sail in company for a UK yacht club - not that the Brits were sailing more than anyone else. No need to chastise your fellow countrymen there may be an 'innocent' explanation for the number of Europeans.

Jonathan

 

[Halo]

If you have a moment find the club in the old lifeboat station. Membership was 5p last time I was there. Drinks are cheap and folk friendly. If you ring the bell you have to buy everyone a drink but it’s dead cheap. Depending on the wind it may be worth looking at Fossdyke for a change of scenery!

 

[LONG_KEELER]

A wise decision to stay put I think. Trying to get into Wells in anything above a 4 with North in it is, according to my pilot books, not at all advisable

We once set out from Lowestoft to Wells with a favourable forecast only to end up turning back roughly off Sheringham to head all the way back to Lowestoft because the wind went to Nor-westerly F5 to F6 and we were struggling to make it in time, even if we could then have got over the bar. After about 18 hours in total there and back to see how far it was, I was mightly miffed on arrival back in Lowestoft to find the bar closed!!!!

Wise decision.
If Shackleton can turn back after about being 90 miles short of the South Pole and glory so can we.

 

[Yealm]

Cheekily, please may we have a screenshot with a map of your daily route too

 

[Sandy]

Do you transmit AIS and we can all follow you on Marine Traffic?

 

[Concerto]

Cheekily, please may we have a screenshot with a map of your daily route too

Too much work late at night to be able do that. Sorry. It will be bad enough doing that for the video. I am not a tech expert, so just look at Google maps and enter the start and end places to show you.

 

[Concerto]

Do you transmit AIS and we can all follow you on Marine Traffic?

Sailed since 1965 and used to basic sailing on minimal instruments rather than being high tech. AIS has not been installed, so you will just have to wait for a post.

 

[magicol]

Thanks for another interesting post and enjoyable read. I am sure your decision to stay was a good one.

 

[PetiteFleur]

Another possible port after Lowestoft could be King's Lynn, we visited last year on return from Whitby. Important to follow the buoys rather than the plotter as the buoys are frequently moved. Good luck with your trip and look forward to your next post.

 

[DJE]

Sailed since 1965 and used to basic sailing on minimal instruments rather than being high tech. AIS has not been installed, so you will just have to wait for a post.

Now what was that flag signal for "please report my position to Lloyd's of London"? ?

 

[LadyInBed]

The weather isn't being kind to you.
. . . . You could always turn around and go clockwise ?

 

[Daydream believer]

Why do you not just go Lowestoft / Grimsby. Forget Wells You can nip up there in your car one day & get some fish & chips if that is your want. It is only 106 miles to Grim Grimsby, which took me <18 hours both times. I did it in a smaller boat than yours. Have to be carefull of lobster pots. .The first time there were thousands in the wash , but very well marked. I hit 3 in the night off Blakney ( I was going clockwise). Watch out for the firing range just S, before the Humber. I got a sharaking The culture shock of Grimsby often does one good .The yacht club makes up for it in exceptional friendliness
You could then nip up to Hull to get some normality back into your life, then Hartlepool, or Scarborough. Entering the Humber at night is great because it is quite a challenging bit of navigation. The hardest of the whole trip in my opinion, as an east coast sailor.
What would be ideal, would be to get to Grimsby when the lock is on free flow. If you do go there instead of Hull try not to arrive at the end of work day, as the lock keeper will make you wait for wind farm boats to enter exit first. That being said i believe that most work is complete, so there should not be as many as when I went both times.
If you get a SW wind & arrive at the Humber in the dark you may well decide to motor into the wind for the last few miles, as you get tired & have to dodge shipping, so a SW wind would give you a great sailing wind. 6kts should be an easy average.

 

[chrishscorp]

Some long stretches on that coast, stay safe.

 

[johnalison]

Don't go to Wetherspoons, whatever you do.

 

[Concerto]

With a NW to N wind I did not fancy a 100 mile beat from Lowestoft to the Humber entrance. Also I have never visited Wells and I want to go. Should be leaving tomorrow as the wind should be more suitable and I will be in company of a Westerly Storm, who is tied alongside, heading the same direction. Bet it turns into a race.

For the past few days I have had a problem with transfering videos from my iPhone to a Windows laptop. Today I had a computer specialist onboard and even he could not solve it. Just before he left, I tried something different and managed to transfer them one by one, except for two that were forwarded by a friend who used an android phone. He had taken 3 videos, one transfered but the others appear to be corrupted even though I can watch them on my phone. This afternoon I am starting to edit the videos to create the first part of a Round Britain for YouTube.

 

[RJJ]

It's where Robinson Crusoe had his first shipwreck!!