Round Britain day 9

Concerto

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At 7.30 I lifted the anchor at Spurn Head, with arrival in Scarborough at 16.15 covering about 59 miles. For most of the trip the tide was favourable, which made a nice change.

Today can be summed as boring, boring, boring. The wind was too light on a run to sail very much, so old faithful was used for about 80% of the way from Spurn Head to Scarborough. Even under engine, I could not relax as along the whole journey there were hundereds of fishing floats. I had to dodge quite a few. Glad I was not sailing at night as none were lit and many were in dark colours. I did see one cluster of about 20, then I looked again and it was a flock of seagulls. :ROFLMAO:

I did spend an hour and a half on mainenance, unjamming the spinnaker pole plungers. It looked like a combination of old waterproof grease, salt and alloy corrosion as the ends are alloy and the plungers and springs are stainless steel. Also spent some time reading on exactly which places I am planning to visit heading up into Scotland. Nothing is set in stone, so staying flexible.

Tomorrow I am not moving as I am feeling very tired, but the wind is looking fairly good for Saturday to move to Whitby and then on to Hartlepool. Certainly heading further north than I have every sailed and realising how few boats are sailing. There are certainly fewer choices of places to stop on this section of the East Coast compared the section in Essex and Suffolk. Still quite a long way to get to Shetland but in reality it is a series of day sails. Although today was not as enjoyable as I would have liked, the trip is certainly challenging and very possible.

RB Map 5.jpg

Today I remembered to take some photos as well as video. Here are a few.

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Flamborough Head

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Scarborough harbour from the town.

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A view within the harbour.

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Concerto looks smart but could do with a good clean - maybe tomorrow.

The first video is taking shape well and is nearly 2½ minutes long already and that is just going down river and day 1 to Harwich. The sea looks quite rough and Concerto was certainly moving - fast and on the waves. I will try and get some more done shortly, but it is very time consuming as every clip has to be watched multiple times and assess which bit is or bits are worth using. So, there is probably about 1½ hours of clips to make 2½ minutes. It will all be worth it when it is finished.
 

Sandy

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Good to hear you are safe and sound in Scarborough and that Flamborough Head is still as terrifying with pot markers a last year. Every time in needed to do something, tack, pee or adjust something another pot would be just off the bow.

I felt that Scarborough had not changed since my last visit in 1970, apart from the number of people sporting their tattoos. The fish and chips were mediocre and the harbour staff were brilliant.

Looking forward to your next leg, I headed for Hartlepool then Amble. Both were really sheltered. The scenery and wildlife start to change now and the journey really starts.
 

Blueboatman

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Thanks
Good progress, no?

I think you will settle in to the trip as the winds become more ‘normal’ and favourable and you can really let the boat fly on a broad spinnaker whizz. Here’s hoping ?
The coming out of Wells thing is interesting . Getting a good heading and vmg into a chop with an unfavourable tide is tricky isn’t it?
I used to ease the boat up to speed and it could take a few minutes to get her going and create her own momentum enough to push through the chop and enough wind working across the sails , then nose up and up to the best heading possible . Sometimes a few rpm of donk makes it all come together until a few more knots of wind fill in or the wind, tide angles change a little.
But you know all this cos you raced and raced.
Just enjoying the blog really
 

johnalison

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Thanks for the reminder. I haven’t checked my spinnaker pole for a couple of years. It used to be a yearly maintenance job along with the winches, but it is only the lower end that gets salty, with the pole stowed vertically on the mast.
 

Neeves

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The pots will be coastal - is there any reason why you are not further offshore.

Chastise me for my ignorance - but I'm no longer a local.

I've mentioned I am not a vid fan but I do have immense respect for those that put interesting vids together - its, almost, a thankless task. More so for you as you appear to have a schedule to keep.


and a request:

If you are passing a RNLI alongside a pier, or what ever, I would value for my album a HiRes pic picture of a Shannon Class lifeboat with e Spade on the foredeck. If I ever use the picture - you will be credited.

I caught a line off a series of pots. I could see the floats, white polystyrene and 300mm diameter and I steered to clear them which I did with success. The next thing I knew was the AP going berserk. There was a long line, floating from the row of pots with a knot in the end and the line had caught on the top of the rudder and the knot stopped the rope running though freely. The row of pots held Josepheline securely. I had a big headsail up and I had to furl the sail to get enough pressure off the line to allow me to catch it with a boat hook - and cut it free. I give buoys an even wider berth now.

Fair winds

Take care, stay safe

Jonathan
 
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Sandy

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The pots will be coastal - is there any reason why you are not further offshore.
That might be an insurance issue @Neeves. In the UK most coastal policies are limited to 12 nm offshore when I passed Flamborough there were pots 4 nm offshore. An issue with the North Sea is its so shallow. I passed a pot 30 nm offshore in 50 metres of water, goodness knows what was at the bottom.
 

chrishscorp

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Thanks gir sharing. An interesting trip so far. A recommendation for Whitby.

Pah Twaddle........ ? ex east yorks lad here

Trenchards is where you wish to be, hopefully a table in the window and a nice view over the harbour and you must visit the facilities in Trenchards what they cost I dread to think.
There are still some fish smoke houses but much less than when I was a nipper, sign of the times I guess. Captain Cook Memorial and of course the Abbey if you want to stretch your legs
 

Supertramp

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Really important to rest - singlehanding passages is always far more tiring than with a crew.

I enjoy your words and the detail of real sailing and decisions without unnecessary attention grabbing descriptions.

Videos are good but words can paint a thousand pictures - enjoy it and don't rush.
 

dunedin

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That might be an insurance issue @Neeves. In the UK most coastal policies are limited to 12 nm offshore when I passed Flamborough there were pots 4 nm offshore. An issue with the North Sea is its so shallow. I passed a pot 30 nm offshore in 50 metres of water, goodness knows what was at the bottom.
I have seen pots in 180m depth - and managed to hit one 12 miles out, invisible amongst Atlantic swell. Even found a couple 25 miles out (but still inside UK waters, as St Kilda and Rockall well offshore).
 

Concerto

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Last night I slept well and according to my FitBit I had 5 hours 42minutes, which is better than my average for last week of 4 Hours 32 minutes. Before you all shout, it is generally an average of just under 6 hours. Usually I sleep a lot deeper on the boat than at home, but for less time. This is has been like this for years and I rarely use an alarm, except to catch a tide.

Re fishing pots, I came across one in the middle of Lyme Bay, some 25 miles off the Dorest coast, in 60 metres of water. By comparison there are very few in my home waters of the Thames Estuary as there is lttle commercial fishing activity.

This morning I climbed up to Scarborough Castle. Here are a few photos.

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Just below the castle walls looking at the harbour.

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It was really busy, but patience pays off for a better photo.

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The view of the other side of Scarborough.
 

DFL1010

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I hope you take this comment in the spirit it's intended, but I'm not sure a new thread each (sailing) day is the best option here. Not only does it mean a lot of new threads, but also it'll make searching for details after the fact a bit harder.

Perhaps either one thread for the entire journey or (better) a blog might be better.

Again, not intended as a dig.
 

capnsensible

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That might be an insurance issue @Neeves. In the UK most coastal policies are limited to 12 nm offshore when I passed Flamborough there were pots 4 nm offshore. An issue with the North Sea is its so shallow. I passed a pot 30 nm offshore in 50 metres of water, goodness knows what was at the bottom.
Off Atlantic Spain and Portugal you get pots in up to 120 or more metres. Whatever they catch might be a bit.....chewy?
 

SaltyC

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Concerto, please take this tongue in cheek comment, in the spirit intended. The pictures of Scarborough could be used by the tourist board, can I please ask only poor quality pictures in pouring rain and howling winds be used North of the Wash?
After the B word and Covid there have been many postings of glorious northern sailing (admittedly mainly West Coast of Scotland) however, we do not want to encourage too many to forsake France and head North driving our 'Good Value' berthing prices higher. :):);)
Stay safe, fair winds and Blue Skies.
 

LONG_KEELER

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I hope you take this comment in the spirit it's intended, but I'm not sure a new thread each (sailing) day is the best option here. Not only does it mean a lot of new threads, but also it'll make searching for details after the fact a bit harder.

Perhaps either one thread for the entire journey or (better) a blog might be better.

Again, not intended as a dig.
I find the day numbers really helpful. Can quickly see the highest number and work back if required. :)
 
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