October Newsletter
‘The five of us divided the watches, moving in progression in a system so complicated that an argument invariably arose every four hours’ – Edward H Dodd Jnr ‘Great Dipper’ to Southern Cross
It’s all happening now on the practical front as the season for this draws to a close. Indeed I have had to extend it into November and hope that weather conditions will be kind to sailors. Bookings for 2021 five day courses are at a high level and March is full already and April has only one space left on the Day Skipper and Competent Crew side, and the April Coastal Skipper has been full for a while.
At the foot of the page are two rather long reports but well worth a read. During the last 9 years I have brought Peter Millican from his Day Skipper up to Yachtmaster Coastal and it was flattering to receive this email of thanks; ‘I also wanted to thank you very much for all your support and enthusiasm over the last few years which has allowed me to get to the point where I was able to make the trip last week. I would never have made it without you. Just in case you did not realise I am very grateful.’ I have sailed with Peter several times and he, together with many others, have now become friends.
It’s advisable to check out my Covid-19 precautions here Terms & Conditions. For these I am guided by the RYA and the Government but have inserted some extra conditions to help us all stay safe whilst still being able to enjoy time on the water.
Covid Eddie
Eddie Redshaw has been infected with the virus and is only just recovering ‘I have beaten it only just. It’s a killer for our age group. I am still very weak and have a terrible chest infection + I think I have broken the side of foot thrashing about with a temperature of 38.9. PS don’t get it’. His daughter Donna commented on her Dad’s terrible cough and has kept me informed, as well as Facebook! Both Eddie and Donna took their RYA Day Skipper Practicals with myself and are successful and active sailors, this being my first instance of instructing two generations of Day Skippers.
Exclusive Pontoon F
Pontoon F at Royal Quays marina is rather exclusive and it’s even rumored that newcomers have to gain acceptance by the local committee before being allowed to berth! Northumbria Sailing is very proud to have so many of its home produced sailors here and all SIX have taken their RYA Day Skipper Practicals with myself. They are Ingela, Emre, Mark, Tony, Orang & John. One more has booked his place on the March practical which is full already.
September Successes
A most enjoyable five days and all successful Day Skippers seen here from L to R; Denis, Jo, Adrian & Ingela. Shown here is a screenshot from the AIS on Marine Traffic indicating the detour required to keep clear, or at least try to, of the pot markers. In the poor visibility they were hard to spot and it was left to the youngest member to see us through safely although we had some very near misses. Earlier we had an incident when the main halyard disappeared up to the top of the mast but was rescued later in the Course with a masthead climb!.
Late Autumn Sail
October 22 – 23rd. Planned is a sail from Royal Quays to Hartlepool, stay onboard overnight and return the following day. There’s room for a household to take the aft cabin overnight, two bunks, and others to day sail. A regular train service runs from Hartlepool station, within walking distance, to Newcastle. Prices are £175 per person for the overnight and £60 for the day sail. (Day sail only left)
Sailing Masterclass 2021
July 11 – 13th. A new Course for those who wish the nautical equivalent of a re-tune. Starting from 8pm on 11th July at Royal Quays you will spend two nights onboard Lian under the instruction and close supervision of an experienced Yachtmaster Instructor, Stephen Scott. The Course will end on 13th and during this time you can expect to visit a tidal port and sail just a bit harder than you would expect on a typical RYA Course. Sail trim will also be a feature. Cost £275. Preference will be given to RYA Yachtmasters and Coastal Skippers.
Northumbria Sailing Adventures
For these adventures we either charter a sailing yacht or take ‘Lian’ somewhere interesting and challenging. When weather and crew status permit we will do distances, often sailing through the night via the watch system. If this is not possible we will cruise looking for pleasant places to visit with good shoreside wining and dining facilities.
Trips in recent years have included the Orkneys, the Clyde, London Tower Bridge, Amsterdam, Skye circumnavigation and traditional sailing on the IJsselmeer. 2020 Adventures have, sadly, been postponed until 2021.
We will endeavour to have you fully involved in the sailing of the boat and to consider your preferences. Alcohol will often be enjoyed when we are no longer underway. At the end of the trip you will have a log book filled and plenty of nautical adventures to tell.
Mull Adventure 2021
June 9 – 16th 2021 a superb yacht has been reserved for our latest Adventure, a 2008 commissioned 13 metre yacht, Pollyanna, a Dufour 425, sailing out of Dunstaffnage, Oban, a marina with easy access and excellent facilities. There will be a maximum of 6 persons onboard. A larger yacht might be more glamorous and cheaper per head, but is less participatory. We aim to circumnavigate Mull, taking in; sheltered Loch Aline – 
picturesque Tobermory – Staffa & Mendelssohn’s Fingal’s Cave – Tinker’s Hole anchorage opposite Iona – lovely Colonsay Island – Corryvrechan (outside whirlpool time) & then finally Dunstaffnage.
Berth pricing ranges from £675 to £775, excluding a catering ‘kitty’
Meet the Team
I do consider myself fortunate to have such a large bank of experience to call upon
Melvyn Wallhead, Yachtmaster & RYA Instructor. I started this business in 2009 partly to justify keeping our rather nice Hallberg Rassy yacht, never expecting the school would grow to the present level. The North East has a long maritime tradition but potential mariners have had to go outside the area or deal with local colleges offering an inflexible ‘service’. I have sailed all over; UK, Med, Europe, Caribbean, Thailand, four continents in all and hope I can encourage others to do the same, without the ‘incidents’.
Stephen Scott, Yachtmaster & RYA Instructor now my Chief Instructor. Stephen has been sailing since childhood and has over 25,000 miles on the water to his name. His likes include; ‘snug remote anchorages and helping sailors improve their skills and increase their confidence.
Steve Lovett, Yachtmaster & RYA Instructor has a wealth of experience, including sailing with us up to the Shetlands in 2016. Steve lives in Durham and has some 50 years experience on the water ranging from dinghies to cruising yachts in the UK and abroad, including the UK to Rio leg of the Clipper Race in 2013.
Don Gunton, Yachtmaster has extensive sailing experience primarily on the west coast of Scotland. Other trips have included a scary one to Norway with myself onboard. Note ‘scary’ due to the weather. This image is a little old, as is Don, but he’s still willing and able to pass on his knowledge – if I ask nicely!
Update on Courses & Trips
‘Keeping your brain active protects against dementia, probably because it increases the quality of your cognitive reserve – the connections within the brain network’
THEORY COURSES
Northumbria Sailing on Zoom
Following my demonstration to the RYA I am pleased to be able to launch Online Courses via Zoom. Two months ago I received authorisation and only a few days later two wanted to go ahead and had completed their FREE trial. In order that anyone thinking of this form of Course can see what it involves I will offer the first hour FREE so a decision can be made whether the format is appropriate. Thus I won’t take any money until after this FREE hour has been completed. The Course cannot be as good as with human contact but, in my opinion, this is better than a full online course where little or no direct contact is made with the instructor. Online information
RYA OCEAN YACHTMASTER Explore the wonders of a sextant with Celestial Navigation and Ocean Passage Planning. This ‘top of the range’ RYA theory course can lead to the coveted ‘Ocean Yachtmaster’ ticket. I have four sextants, one new lightweight metal, one plastic & two old brass, for you to handle. A practical session is included. Cost £495 or £750 on tailored tuition. It’s possible to come for the Celestial Navigation only. The US Navy are teaching sailors Celestial Navigation again as a precaution against cyber attack. US Navy.
RYA COASTAL YACHTMASTER The advanced Course, a must for those proceeding to Yachtmaster level. Cost £475 for class & £675 tailored tuition. You need a good knowledge of this Course before being tested by the RYA Examiner. Since the Course was re-written by Chris Slade, one of my RYA Inspectors, it’s a lot more challenging, but relevant. Winter class dates, subject to Covid permissions and restrictions, for Thursday evenings & Saturdays; January 7, 14, 21, 28 & 30th February 4, 11, 25 & 27th March 4, 11, 18, 30 & 31st. There will be a Zoom alternative, if possible. Phil from 2018 says; ‘Although I knew the YM Theory would be a step up and a challenge the hard work and effort was worth it once I got out there on the boat. That extra depth of knowledge really helped me understand the dynamics of sailing, sea conditions, anticipated weather looming on the horizon and, of course, it’s likely impact on boat handling and the crew’.
RYA DAY SKIPPER A popular starting point for many. Same Course for Sail or Power. This is a Course where early booking is essential. Classes take place in a modern building in Heaton, Newcastle upon Tyne. Included is a half day visit to the School boat. Cost £425. Winter class dates, subject to Covid permissions and restrictions, for Monday evenings & Saturdays; January 11, 16, 18 & 25th February 1, 8, 22nd March 1, 8, 13, 15 & 17th. There will be a Zoom alternative, if possible.
I can’t do these times and am in a hurry!
Then a Tailored Timetable with one to one tuition could be for you. Costs £650 (Zoom £525) for Day Skipper, £675 for Coastal/Yachtmaster™ (Zoom £575) and £750 (Zoom £650) for the Ocean. Available when the diary permits
Whilst I would not wish to encourage missing sessions, it’s a fact of life in todays world and time can be made up through private sessions or, sometimes, within the class timetable
TIDES In response to demand I’m offering this Course on tides, not RYA Tides, but real UK tides, especially on our North East Coast. Learn how to calculate tidal heights and streams. You will be using Reed’s Almanac and the first session will be for assumed beginners leading to more advanced stuff on the second. Joining is possible for both sessions or just the first and will be at Heaton or The Lock café at Royal Quays, depending on numbers. 0930 – 1400hrs, cost £45 for the first session only or £85 for both.
PRACTICAL COURSES
All local courses take place on the school boat, a quality 36 foot (11.1 metre) Hallberg Rassy, well known for its comfort and steadiness afloat. Properly equipped with modern electronics, the preferred wheel steering and comfortable, recently replaced, bunk cushions you will be well set up to handle whatever may come your way. Courses are fully inclusive, except for a kitty contribution towards drinks onshore. (for 2020 temporary adjustments are necessary)
PRACTICAL CREWING My version of RYA Competent Crew. Three days, 0930-1700hrs onboard for up to four. 4:1 private tuition and you will be up to the Comp Crew standard. No experience necessary and no need to stay onboard overnight. Cost £295, weekday only. Next availability; November 3, 5 & 9th
DAY TRIPS. ‘Taster’ days run throughout the season with the aim of having a pleasant day out on the water. You can see whether yachting is for you at modest cost. Trips operate out of Royal Quays 0930 – 1700hrs. Cost £60 weekday & £75 weekend. Next availability; October 9th (FULL) Also at a reduced rate of £40 a very late season trip; November 2nd. Yes, describing it as a “taster” is an understatement. It was a practical and thoroughly excellent training day. It’s a credit to your skill and confidence to take two complete novices to sailing at sea out into force 7+ and make it feel so easy. Your training plan and instruction was just right and delivered with clarity and a sense of humour which quickly removed any tension. I know Peter had as much fun as I did and we both came away with a heightened enthusiasm. – David
RYA COMPETENT CREW A 5 day, live aboard, course where you will learn ‘the ropes’ and to become a useful crew member. A good start to, perhaps, a lifetime boating. Cost £595, subject to £50 discount as they are day sails and not catered. The full RYA certificate will still be available. Course dates; March 22 – 26th (FULL), April 25 – 30th 2021 (full rate, hopefully, 1 place left) & May 23 – 28th. Course Review
RYA DAY SKIPPER PRACTICAL The key to bareboat charter, this course aims to get you to the ability ‘ to skipper a small cruising yacht safely by day in tidal waters with which the student is familiar’. Then you can be let loose to find your own adventures and provide endless anecdotes for you to enjoy telling. Cost £625. For Bareboat charter this is the first qualification to be obtained. Nevertheless in some areas, the Solent for example, a higher qualification is needed and UK tidal requested. An example from one web page; ‘RYA Coastal Skipper Tidal Practical course completion certificate must show the course was conducted in UK tidal waters. For example courses conducted in the Gibraltar & the Mediterranean are not accepted as tidal courses. The ICC qualification alone is not an acceptable qualification. Cost £625 subject to £50 discount as they are day sails and not catered. The full RYA certificate will still be available. Course dates; March 22 – 26th (FULL), April 25 – 30th 2021 (full rate, hopefully, 1 place left) & May 23 – 28th. ‘I was pleased with the way the course was organised, the instructions for preparation and attending, the fact that you were there waiting for me when I arrived, and your welcome both before and after we boarded.’ – Hassall. Course Review by Tim Edwards For a murky glimpse of a night sail try Night Sail
RYA COASTAL SKIPPER PRACTICAL The ‘top of the range’ RYA practical course providing greater challenges to get you up to the standard to skipper a cruising yacht safely by day and night. A sample requirement for chartering a yacht on the Clyde; ‘Skippers must hold/be experienced RYA Coastal practical or Yachtmaster practical when sailing within the Clyde. Outwith the Clyde – Yachtmaster practical’. Next Courses; April 11 – 16th (FULL) & October 10 – 15th 2021 Cost £650 Jonny Colwell gives a detailed review of his YM Examination
RYA START YACHTING A two day course for beginner groups, which can be the ‘start’ of greater things. You live onboard for two days and visit another marina, away from Royal Quays. Cost £230.
INTERNATIONAL CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCE (ICC) This can be done on the same course as Day Skipper/Competent Crew. Cost £625 with dates as above. Alternatively I can test you on your own boat at much cheaper cost. Individual quotations are given for this which will be from £225 for one day, own boat ICC Guidance
Northumbria Sailing on Video
Have a look at my Theory Training Centre with this video. Training
Onboard the Hallberg Rassy training yacht, by courtesy of Mark Batey and the kind co-operation of victims Andrew and Clive. See me giving berthing advice in trying to avoid the electric supply post Mark Batey Day Training
RYA Competent Crew in the sun, by courtesy of Mark again Mark Batey Competent Crew
Specialist Courses
A New Venue
Metropolitan House in Swalwell, near Metro Centre NE16 3AS has been booked for First Aid and VHF Courses. The offices are modern and there’s on site private parking. Metropolitan House
RYA VHF This important Course is available in class, onboard, online or private tuition. Don’t be caught without a proper licence as you could be fined up to £5,000, plus 6 months inside, plus equipment confiscation – yes it’s very severe! At Northumbria Sailing you will receive tuition one per training set. As you will be assessed for practical skills as well as theoretical I think it’s advisable that you have every opportunity to familiarise yourself with the equipment. Cost £115 plus £60 for the RYA. Also available One to One at £180 and online at £95 to include manual. Assessment £60 extra. Next Class Session; November 12th Try these links. RYA Online VHF Radio and RYA Online VHF video
The RYA require you to book your practical examination at the time of enrolling on a Course. Beware of anyone offering this Course without this. RYA Practical VHF
RYA RADAR Are you safe using your set? Can you properly identify a collision situation? If you have radar you are required to know how to use it properly and could be held responsible if an incident was to occur. Candidates for RYA Yachtmaster examinations are expected to be conversant with radar. Day Course: Cost £120, plus 10.50 to RYA. March 10th ‘Thank you very much for yesterday’s course’ – Stephen
CEVNI test for the Inland waterways endorsement to your ICC. Done online, cost £30
RYA DIESEL ENGINE
A Volvo Penta 2003 marine diesel engine will be used for demonstrations and you will get several chances to try your hand at changing filters etc.
The Course is for beginners and will show the simple maintenance tasks you are can do yourself to help maintain your engine in working order. The RNLI has complained that most of call outs are from engine failure where simple tasks have not been performed. Your rescuing lifeboat may make firm suggestions if this is found to be the case. RYA Examiners have requested greater knowledge from candidates. Cost £120 plus £10 for the RYA Pack. Maximum 6 persons. RYA Diesel Engine
RYA ESSENTIAL NAVIGATION ONLINE Do this starter course on your own laptop. A good introduction to the theory part of sailing, with yacht or power boat. Cost £79 plus £29 (includes instruments) for the RYA Pack. Online Navigation
RYA FIRST AID. All day for the RYA certificate, valid three years. Find out the latest recommendations on what to do at sea from an experienced sailor with over 50 years in nursing to include A & E. Cost £95 plus £7.50 Pack. Next availability February 9th. To check which certificates are acceptable to the RYA e.g. for examinations. First Aid Certificates
RNLI off Whitburn
Here’s Nicola at the helm on what appears to be easy conditions. Not at all, we had a gale with gusts of over 40 knots, and this was just an ordinary Practical Crewing three day course! We had an exciting time in South Shields bay. Later that same day two yachts were in difficulties off Whitburn, not far from there this image was taken, and six seafarers were rescued after a dismasting and a grounding. RNLI lifeboats came from both Sunderland and Tynemouth. Lifeboat Rescue.
Night Sail Time
A regular trip on 5 day courses and I usually select the sail into Blyth as shown here. The challenge is to identify the leading lights into the entrance for they are blue and hard to see. I usually see red centres to these lights and indeed went to see my optician about this. He put on his white coat and….. Shown here is Lian leaving the Royal Quays lock in the early hours almost home after a five hour run.
Ships in the Tyne
Norman Baker is producing videos of ships in the Tyne to watch on YouTube and I have subscribed to this awaiting the moment when Lian is featured during one of her transgressions of the laws of the Tyne (There are cameras on the river as I found out when a No 1 rocket came from the Harbourmaster) and was caught ‘bang to rights’!normtyneships
Victims (all) at Sea
Peter Millican & Peter MacLaren, ‘Peter and I have just returned from the most amazing week sailing on the west coast. Originally we planned to go in May but this was cancelled due to restrictions. Alba sailing offered us a week in late September in a Dufour 425 GL which was almost 12 tons in weight compared with the Sun Odyssey which we originally booked which was nearer 7 tons. This proved to be an unplanned blessing as Pollyanna behaved incredibly well in the exciting conditions of the week.
We left Dunstaffnage around 16.00 on Saturday not a cloud in the sky and no wind to speak of so we motored to Lochaline on the sound of Mull and hitched onto one of the visitor moorings for the night. Leaving next day at around 7.00 we set out for Canna 45NM away. Predictwind which we relied on all week said that there was little wind in the Sound of Mull then 10/15 Knots SW from around 9.30 across to Canna. Consequently we motored to Tobermory then had a broad reach all the way to Canna. I took two particular pieces of kit to use on Pollyanna, firstly a length of chain to throw around a mooring buoy having been in trouble on a previous trip when we had to tie on to a big mooring buoy with no pickup in a force 6. On that occasion we lassoed the buoy with two strong warps but by morning one was almost chaffed through and the other looking very worn. Secondly a gybe preventer made by Wichard. The chain was never needed but we had the preventer rigged up for the whole week and it proved invaluable. Whilst we never approached an involuntary gybe the preventer stopped the constant flapping of the boom when sailing downwind particularly in a fair swell and I am convinced that we improved our boat speed because of it.
The sail to Canna was a dream, perfect winds and beautiful billowing clouds. A long broad reach when we were escorted by dolphins and minke whales for much of the way. Predictweather was now telling us that whilst Monday looked exciting and Tuesday looked scary. The barometer was predicted to drop from 1024 to 994 and the attached image shows the predicted wind pattern. It was clear that we would not be sailing on Tuesday and we needed a safe place to batten down the hatches. So we planned to sail on Monday from Canna to Shieldaig in Torridon where we knew there were two visitor moorings in a relatively sheltered position.
We left Canna just before dawn for an 80NM sail around the tip of Skye with two reefs and a reduced genoa. The winds were predicted to be in the low twenties with gusting up to just over 30 knots form the S and that is how it turned out. The 13hr trip was 12 hrs of sailing, fifteen minutes motoring out of Canna and 45 minutes motoring into Torridon. We had a downwind sail up into the Minch to the tip of Skye then a broad/beam reach across the inner sound. Pollyanna performed faultlessly, the most exciting stretch being around the NE tip of Skye when we had a 4.5 Knot current against us and a 20+ Knot wind behind and the sea was wild. The bow was dipping into the sea as we hurtled along at up to 11.5 knots through the water. Interestingly we sailed almost all the way using the autopilot which even coped with the tide race.
Coming into Shieldaig one of the visitor moorings was taken by a local fishing boat but the other was free and we hauled up the pickup with relief. The wind was steadily building as we put our heads down but the worst was to come during Tuesday. During the morning I saw the anemometer reading 50.5 knots, there were twisters crossing the bay and the back canopy on the Dufour was ripped out of its fixing. Fortunately no other damage occurred, by 16.00 the wind was dropping and by 19.00 it was almost still. Next day dawned still and clear and we set off for Isle Ornsay on Sleet. 45 NM plus tacking and we recorded around 55 NM through the water. We tacked down the inner sound into a 10 Knot Southerly wind and cruised through Glenelg at low tide with almost no current.
Next day the wind was forecast to turn northerly at circa 10 Knts till noon then drop away and return still northerly at 15knts around 15.00. So we reached till 12.00 down to the SW tip of Skye then motored between Eigg and Rhum and sailed on a beam reach to a peaceful anchorage in Loch Na Droma Buidhe where we were joined by three other yachts after seeing just three since leaving Canna. The photo shows sunset from the anchorage. Friday our final day gave us yet another glorious sail along the sound of Mull as the winds gradually built from 15knts to 20+ knots after we passed Lismore light and crossed the Firth of Lorn back to Dunstaffnage. A memorable week!
Rob Langley is taking Pendragon to winter quarters at Sixhaven, next to Amsterdam. A memorable marina for myself as it’s the only one I have come across which packs so many in, filling the aisles, but boats move to allow others to leave. The Press Gang has been out in force and Mark & Graeme have been impressed into service as crew for the trip. 270 miles in their logbook will look good, but they will need to earn it at this time of the year!space_20]
John Matthews ‘8 years after selling my 22′ Pandora which had been kept on Kielder Water the prospect of retirement helped to focus my attention on choosing a successor. This boatless period had been spent acquiring my Day Skipper qualification under Melvyn’s patient supervision followed by Coastal Skipper qualification on the West Coast of Scotland. Mileage was built up through flotilla holidays in the Mediterranean and then bareboat charters along the West of Scotland. Highlights had included a tour of the distilleries on Islay, a trip to St Kilda and joining a Northumbria Sailing expedition to the Orkneys and the Shetlands. The final preparation was an RYA diesel maintenance course last year
What kind of boat should I buy? My interest had narrowed to motor sailers from a practical point of view and last year there was choice of several for sale in the North East. My initial preference was in Fishers which according to my research sailed better than most motor sailers. There was a ‘project boat’ that I tried to buy but mercifully the engine didn’t start and we never got any further or else we would undoubtedly still have been in the boatyard. As it happened, the boat that won me over was Roman Spirit, a ketch rigged Nauticat 33 built in 1980 that was being sold by a retired RNLI engineer. When I sat in the wheelhouse I knew this was the one for me and she was ready to sail away. Trevor Jefferson supervised a sea trial and, steering from the aft deck on a sunny day, this confirmed the decision. As Trevor said, it was the kind of day you would buy two boats. I hadn’t been in a motor sailer before and misgivings about cheating and taking the easy option did give me pause for thought. How could I look Melvyn in the eye and admit I wasn’t going to be too bothered about not switching the engine off? Despite this, I decided that when the weather turns foul (as it occasionally does in the North East!) I preferred to keep dry and warm and get to my destination in time.
Having now acquired the means my original intention had been to mark my retirement by embarking on a 3 month circumnavigation of the UK. COVID-19 put paid to this and so my planning was abbreviated to a trip up to the Caledonian Canal, through to Fort William and then back to North Shields to last a mere 4 weeks. At the end of July I retired from my job as a GP and marked my 60th birthday on the 3rd August by sailing up the Tyne and under the iconic Millennium Bridge which obliging blinked to let us through so we could stay overnight in the centre of Newcastle. The next day, fortified with the necessary Gregg’s bacon butties, the Millennium Bridge blinked again and we set off for the Inner Farne. There was a southerly wind blowing a F5 and the accompanying swell in a long but not deep keel boat did not make for a smooth passage. Despite the rolling motion none of us felt sea sick and we blessed Roman Spirit for looking after us. We anchored in the Kettle but unfortunately a severe sign prohibited landing on the Inner Farne – not that there was anyone else there to notice that we could have got within 2m of even if we tried. The next day we made the short journey across to Holy Island where we were able to make a landing and ‘mingled’ with the day trippers. The Nauticat has a marvellous aft deck where we have a table and chairs and we had an idyllic evening sitting there watching the sun set. The following day the wind was lighter and the sea state more settled and we set off for Eyemouth where we enjoyed the luxury of a pontoon berth in a pleasantly busy working harbour. The wind dropped even further the next day and as we made our way along the Firth of Forth to Edinburgh the fluffy white clouds were mirrored in the still water which was a magical experience. We stayed for two days in Edinburgh so my brother and his two teenage children had time to visit the city. My time was spent getting acquainted with the bowels of the boat due to a blocked heads (fortunately crystalline deposits rather than something more smelly). The next stop was another working harbour at Arbroath where we stayed two nights and had a walk along the beautiful coastal path. We refuelled with some remarkably cheap diesel fuel and then it was off to Stonehaven to moor up against the harbour wall. This visit coincided with a torrential overnight downpour that resulted in the horrendous landslide which caused a train derailment and 3 deaths just south of Stonehaven. It was a close shave for my nephew who was due to catch a train from Stonehaven 30 mins after the accident occurred. On a more trivial note Stonehaven is the location of Carrons which lays claim to be the fish and chip shop which created the original deep fried Mars bar so is well worth a visit. We were fortunate to sample this culinary delight before the shop was flooded the following day. After sorting out some fuel flow problems (was there a reason why the fuel was so cheap at Arbroath??) the next stop was the busy but otherwise unremarkable Peterhead and then friendly and picturesque Lossiemouth before reaching Inverness.
Inverness marked a crew change where my wife and two sons joined me for the Caledonian Canal leg of the voyage. Progress was slow due to reducing level of staffing but despite this we managed to get to the top of the Neptune locks at Banavie and then enjoyed walking the last couple of miles to dip our toes into Lock Linnhe on the west coast of Scotland before returning to the east coast. The lochs were a good opportunity to calibrate the navigation instruments; without any tidal flow I could set the speed log to the SOG from the GPS and the depth sounder was adjusted when we ran aground whilst checking the depth to anchor. Having mastered the depth readings we had two memorable evenings at anchor, the first was a beautiful peaceful evening at the south west end of Loch Lochy away from the mundane pontoons, the second was a visit to the Lochside Brasserie on the south shore of Loch Lochy. Apparently we were the first customers to arrive by boat and we were of great interest to the staff as they watched us surveying the sharply shelving loch bottom. I was keen to be the gallant husband and insisted on carrying Anne from the dinghy to the shore so that she would not get her feet wet. Unfortunately I caught my foot in the painter, lost my footing on the slippery stones and then sat down landing us both in the water and getting soaking wet. We certainly weren’t the typical well-dressed customers the restaurant usually entertained but it’s remarkable what good food and a bottle of wine can do to restore morale. Boats are certainly not my long suffering wife’s first choice for a holiday but despite this undignified dunking she would like to return for a 2 week trip (with more time to explore the surrounding countryside!).
By the time we arrived back at Inverness the weather forecast was ominous with Storm Francis coming in from the Atlantic and if we didn’t get moving we were likely to be holed up. Anne and James, my older son left us and my younger son David and I set off for the return trip. The original trip up had taken a leisurely 12 days but the return would have to be quicker. This meant leaving Inverness with 4 knots of flood tide against us as we ventured out in to the Moray Firth. A good engine was very welcome. Two long days took us back via Lossiemouth and Peterhead to Arbroath where the friendly harbour master welcomed us back for a two night stay whilst the worst of Storm Francis passed over. We skipped Edinburgh this time and made for Eyemouth. The wind was light but the north easterly swell made for a dramatic entrance into the safety of Eyemouth which proved to be a popular safe haven and this time we had to raft up 3 deep against the pontoon. The following day we were the first to leave and headed south with a SE 3-4 wind that picked up during the day backing north to 4-5. Giving the choppy water off the north pier a wide berth we entered to the welcome protection of the Tyne harbour just as the Ijmuiden ferry was leaving, 24 days after we had passed it first setting off. Distance travelled 697 NM, engine hours 132 …
Altogether it was great sea trial. I got to know Roman Spirit more intimately that I had expected but as a result feel much better prepared for future adventures and hopefully the circumnavigation next year. Roman Spirit looked after us and proved generous and kind. After getting to know her a new name for a new chapter seems right, Roman Spirit is to become Grace Abounding.’
Own Boat Tuition & Courses
If you have your own boat and would prefer private tuition or an RYA course then these are possible. Your boat would need to be acceptable of course and a daily rate for an instructor would be quoted.
Sailing Today Podcasts
Try these Podcasts Sailing Today Podcasts.
Yacht Skippering
There are times when you might feel that your ‘ticket’ and/or experience will not be adequate for a safe holiday. For the last few years I have enjoyed a commission enabling a larger yacht to be chartered and to sail to more adventurous places.
Reader’s Links
A section featuring links of a maritime interest sent to me.
Steve Austin has uploaded this video of our 2018 Adventure sailing a traditional Dutch flat bottomed boat
Phil Butler highlights the unexpected and rapid shift in Earth’s Magnetic Field.
Phil Butler again with very useful advice on mal de mer. Seasickness
Peter MacLaren mentioned this article about a Yacht Delivery Skipper’s Life.
Peter Chater has found a remarkable way of plugging a failed seacock – with a carrot! Sea Cock Repair
Peter Chater sent this one about a fisherman suing as a result of a collision Fisherman Sues
Peter Chater again – ‘How about this for a large yacht collision’ Antigua
Nigel Hierons saw this news item about a flare Flare in recycling explodes
Franek Richardson sent this Time Lapse
Phil Butler mentions the two women rescued after 5 months at sea in the Pacific.
Stuart Porter took and posted this great dolphin display, quite the best I have seen North Sea Dolphins
And finally from myself, try this one for a Broach
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