Round Britain... Where would you choose to start

[ShinyShoe]

OK. So I've been pondering a slow plod round.

I might have found a boat.

It's currently on inland water so would need trucked out.

Where would you choose to truck it to, to start...

 

[chriss999]

My home port, so I can work on the boat and do sea trials to ensure that the boat, skipper and crew are up to the trip.

 

[lw395]

I think the whole 'Round Britain' bucket list phenomenon is grossly over rated.
I'd consider having it trucked wherever enabled a nice cruise which didn't involve 360deg of the UK.
Maybe see more of W Scotalnd and Ireland?

 

[Thistle]

I assume that after the trip you'll want to be based somewhere: I'd start - and finish - there.

 

[Skeffles]

OK. So I've been pondering a slow plod round.

I might have found a boat.

It's currently on inland water so would need trucked out.

Where would you choose to truck it to, to start...

Girvan in Scotland, on the Clyde. Because it is relatively cheap, certainly moreso than the Solent, and when sanity finally strikes and you realise that a round Britain trip is far more overrated than you originally thought, then you still have access to all the sailing grounds of the Clyde, Solway, and even NI and the nearer Inner Hebrides to enjoy yourself in. Sailing paradise. It also has fairly decent transport links, while still managing to be a little off the beaten path.

 

[Daydream believer]

, and when sanity finally strikes and you realise that a round Britain trip is far more overrated than you originally thought,.

Have you actually done it?
I ask because I find it somewhat addictive. I have done it single handed (albeit via the Cally canal, but I did go Jersey & Guernsey, both times, to make up for the top bit) twice now. After each trip I really wanted to keep going & go round again.
Somehow I think that I may end up doing it again inspite of being 73 years of age.
It is great fun & well worth the effort. The only thing I miss, is being away from home & friends for so long. But no way would I want a crew (other than family of course) to come along & spoil the pleasure.

 

[ShinyShoe]

I think the whole 'Round Britain' bucket list phenomenon is grossly over rated.

I think it is a bit marmite...
My plan is to do it in bits. Abandoning the boat somehow along the way.

Have you actually done it?
I ask because I find it somewhat addictive. I have done it single handed

Lots of people say similar. Some say glad they did it once but wouldn't do it again. I'm not 100% sure I've seen someone say they referred it.

Perhaps it's not marmite..perhaps it's Haggis.

Girvan in Scotland, on the Clyde. Because it is relatively cheap, certainly moreso than the Solent, and when sanity finally strikes and you realise that a round Britain trip is far more overrated than you originally thought, then you still have access to all the sailing grounds of the Clyde, Solway, and even NI and the nearer Inner Hebrides to enjoy yourself in. Sailing paradise. It also has fairly decent transport links, while still managing to be a little off the beaten path.

Well, that's an interesting suggestion. Ignoring the dismissive bit. It means west coast would be last which might be good because it's leaving best to end. While not technically the most complex to sail, it may also be more challenging so may be better having ironed out the boat.

Girvan isn't a completely inconvenient location like Falmouth might be for me.

I'd consider having it trucked wherever enabled a nice cruise which didn't involve 360deg of the UK.
Maybe see more of W Scotalnd and Ireland?

Girvan might tick that box then

My home port, so I can work on the boat and do sea trials to ensure that the boat, skipper and crew are up to the trip.

Well there is likely no crew. It could be sea trialed before movement. There is no ideal home port - I could sail straight to the North Sea. Or I could travel a cross country to have a port on the west but horizontally none are great... Clyde, NWales, Forth all reasonable but none 'home'.

I assume that after the trip you'll want to be based somewhere: I'd start - and finish - there.

Sometimes the forum says sensible things!!

It's a very good point. I dunno what I may or may not want to do with the boat afterwards! But round Ireland not impossible. More West Coast not impossible. So Girvan not a bad idea!

Someone tell be why not Girvan now... Or the forum is officially broken!

 

[White_Belle]

I'd be very interested to hear why those who think it's over-rated didn't enjoy their trip round?

 

[Kukri]

I’m thinking of doing it. But I want to do it fast.

I want to do Orwell - Inverness - Caledonian Canal - holiday on the west coast of Scotland, home.

 

[Kurrawong_Kid]

I’m thinking of doing it. But I want to do it fast.

I want to do Orwell - Inverness - Caledonian Canal - holiday on the west coast of Scotland, home.

I’ve done Orwell round via Orkney, Land’s End and the Forelands. Why miss out Orkney and the North West Coast? Do that and come back via the Caley or vice versa.

 

[Kukri]

I’ve done Orwell round via Orkney, Land’s End and the Forelands. Why miss out Orkney and the North West Coast? Do that and come back via the Caley or vice versa.

Thanks; good thought. I am time limited at the moment.

 

[capnsensible]

I think the whole 'Round Britain' bucket list phenomenon is grossly over rated.

Why?

 

[westhinder]

I’m thinking of doing it. But I want to do it fast.

I want to do Orwell - Inverness - Caledonian Canal - holiday on the west coast of Scotland, home.

Do not rush it, you’ll regret skipping all those nice places.
I did it in 4 months and did not regret a single day of it. 7 weeks on the West Coast of Scotland alone and it felt like having barely scratched the surface.
I am convinced I’ll visit the West coast again, and as it is 180° round from where I start, I might as well go full circle again.
A circuit of Ireland is another to-do.

 

[Phildorset]

I'm currently doing it, very slowly and it week at a time chunks mostly, home port is Poole so I set off just after Easter, day sailing (solo), and leaving Zigzag in places with convenient transport links at the end of each leg. So far we are only as far as Milford Haven as family commitments only gave me four slots this season & weather since early September stopped me crossing to Ireland. I'd recommend it, even though I do sometimes miss my boat not being here close to home.
As to where to start... wherever is closest to home I reckon, it's all about the journey so I'd be just as happy setting off towards the 'best' bits (but there are glorious places everywhere I think) as to starting there and leaving them behind...

 

[ShinyShoe]

Phil

That's my basic plan too. If it took 10yrs to go round... That's fine.

Gotta pluck up the courage to buy the boat. (I know what I want!)

 

[LittleSister]

I’m thinking of doing it. But I want to do it fast.

I want to do Orwell - Inverness - Caledonian Canal - holiday on the west coast of Scotland, home.

You'll miss those jewels of the East Coast, Great Yarmouth and Grimsby!

 

[[70521]]

I'm planning to do it when I retire. Anticlockwise from Plymouth, but I am adding a wee hop to the Faroe Islands and the west coast of Ireland.

 

[LittleSister]

I'm planning to do it when I retire. Anticlockwise from Plymouth, but I am adding a wee hop to the Faroe Islands and the west coast of Ireland.

Sounds great. But why anti-clockwise?

 

[Uricanejack]

Well it’s on my list of possibilities. I almost put an offer on a boat the other day. Common sense prevails so far.
I still have sailed to Alaska yet. So far I’ve only gotten as far as Campbell River. So buying anther boat in the UK really is a bit silly and my wife wasn’t pleased.
Still my options, by a boat Clyde or west Coast, probabilities based on my usual achievements, it might take me 10 years to get past Ardnamurachan if I ever do.
Or by a boat on the South Coast, probability I would sail it to the west of Scotland. Where I might get stuck. In,do like sailing alone, I prefer sailing with company, she is not a long distance voyage enthusiast. I am lucky she joins me to putter about for a few days.
Still I’d like to do it. Possibly when I retire and I can devote some time to the project.

My plan is visit some of the best pubs around the coast, and take my time. I’ve actually been round the UK. And from the Solent to the Shetlands on a sailing vessel but it was 35 years ago, if I do it again I should probably go anti clockwise. But I think the west might be more interesting. Flip a coin?

The thing stopping me right now is the cost of keeping a boat somewhere while I am not in the country.

Where to start, as far away from where I want to end up in my case. Some of my best trips have been buying a boat and delivering it home.
Why sail, around the Uk, it depends on why you want to. For me it would be to stop and visit interesting places, have a pint and fish and chips.
Which makes the anti clockwise more attractive.

There’s a pub near London on the North Side of the Thames in the middle of a tank farm. It’s ancient. Low beams thatched worn floors and real ale.
I think it was nice pint I’ve ever had.
Start down on the South West with some local Scrumpy then head for the South East coast for some ales up to the North East for Some Best Bitter. Belhaven or the likes when I get to the Forth.
A highland pint is best avoided. But I do like a nice Malt so I will be fine.

I have an old bourbon cask waiting for me in Arnamurachan. I got about 7 years to get there. Before it’s ready.

Of course I could by a boat on the Clyde and start by sailing south.

 

[Daydream believer]

You'll miss those jewels of the East Coast, Great Yarmouth and Grimsby!

You have to go to Grimsby,--- It is where you take people suffering with depression & feelings of defeat & who complain about their surroundings, to show them how good they really have it, compared to some:ambivalence: