Run Away!

[tome]

My Certificate of British Registry was faxed through to me at last! I've laminated this to make it look more official (paper copy will follow by post) in case I get controlled by Duanes, but am taking a chance and going to France this evening.

I've been confined to South Coast for the past 2 months whilst they've been sorting this out and I just can't take another weekend in the Solent!

In deference to the forum I'm taking 4 motoring cones (1 for each cylinder and 1 for the prop) and will hang my rope cutter in the rigging where it belongs. I'm fully charging my batteries before I go as my new 'charging with prop disengaged' signal hasn't arrived. I'm also preparing hot water in a thermos as my previous attempts at lighting a fire in the rigging to signal that my engine was only heating my water ended in a melted snuffer.

So, Amaya will be sneaking out of Northney later on this afternoon just as soon as I think my boss isn't looking.

Have a good weekend all!

 

[Guest]

Don't forget the crew suffering from flatulence signal (black ball with a hole in the middle in the shape of a polo mint)!

Happy sailing and fair winds.

 

[Twister_Ken]

Was that your boss I saw clinging onto Chichester Bar Beacon with a pair of 12x50s?

 

[jimi]

Nah it was Simonc, he thought he was motoring!

Jim

 

[Ohdrat]

Re: Signals

Don't forget to order your black egg shaped signal for foul smelling heads...

 

[jimi]

Thought it was a tin of beans hanging from the port spreader!

Jim

 

[Bergman]

Have a good trip

Watch out for ships doing laundry - might be sailing

Wish I was going

 

[chippie]

Keep your funnel up old chap!

 

[jimi]

Did you get back?

What's the odds on TOME being stuck the other side of the channel?

Jim

 

[tome]

Bloody boats!

Had to pick the weekend when the Atlantic lows finally started to roll. Arrived Saturday morning in lively F7 and gale bound Sunday. Left Monday morning to be greeted by UKSA boat turning back with reports of imminent 70+ knots Jersey radio, so we bottled out and followed them back in. Wish we hadn't - it was a lively W'ly and bright sunshine, nothing more than 5/6 and we'd have flown back.

Then phoned boss who was not at all amused (why go sailing if you're not sure you can get back?). Tuesday was a corker of a blow - we had to tack up the pontoon and all the way to the Cafe de Paris. Eventually left Wed morning in NE wind with promises of NW to come. It stayed NE all the way home, and we ended up way to the west of course hanging on to a stbd tack in anticipation of the wind change - sailed 96 miles to cover a 70 mile crossing.

It was cold on deck, but the eberspacher kept the boat lovely and warm below.

I see the prices in Cherbourg are rising - 20 euros a night and can only use the toilets at designated opening times, which didn't always coincide with bowel movements.

The new port manager has ambitious plans to extend all the pontoons (they're tiddly little things with no cleats) and is apparently negotiating with the ferry companies to offer a mooring package with free ferry crossings for UK sailors wishing to base there.

Anyway, good to be back and had better keep my head down for a few days