Taster Days & Trips

These are an introduction to sailing and meant to be a nice experience, so conditions have to be right even though it means being more sensitive to the weather. No-one wants a macho adventure, but this still won’t stop us from going out to sea briefly in a high wind.

DAY TRIPS. 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 and have been very popular during the 2023 season. Cost £75 weekday & £95 weekend. First of the 2024 season will be April 16th & May 25th (Saturday)  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  

Holy Island and Farnes Adventure

This image was taken in June 2022 at the anchorage in Holy Island where the 69Club anchored twice, once overnight and the other daytime. This year we would like to make a repeat visit to the Farnes, now open, Holy Island and Berwick but only if conditions are right. Thus, if they are not, the Adventure would be cancelled and monies fully refunded. Again Pure Gallus will be sailed which offers an ensuite double cabin, two more large cabins (two occupants at a push) and a generous saloon berth. June 11 – 15th

Skipper Skills      

Sometimes the step between completing a RYA Day Skipper course and feeling like a confident skipper seems like a large jump, but it doesn’t need to be! This new Course is aimed at improving skills of either an existing skipper or a very competent crew about to take their RYA Day Skipper Practical. Subjects tackled will be varied according to demand. For example upon signing up you will be asked which exercises you prefer and we will try and accommodate. The aim will be to give confidence and increase depth of knowledge to enable you to go out to sea and tackle the varied demands you are likely to meet. Next Course; April 19+20th (FULL), provisionally July 5+6th [space_20]

Northumbria Sailing  Adventures

These adventures are when we either charter a sailing yacht or take Pure Gallus 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 Skye, Orkneys, the Clyde, London Tower Bridge and a North Sea crossing.

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.

2024 Mini Adventures

Between June and September a series of Adventures are in the planning stage, anything from 1 – 6 nights onboard, which might appeal particularly to recently qualified Day Skippers without sea miles. Give me a suggestion and I will see what I can do. Anyone already familiar with Pure Gallus or the predecessor Lian by means of the 3 or 5 day Course qualifies for discounted prices from £75 discounted and £125 non discount.

 

Yorkshire Adventure

July 11 – 14th 

Sail down to Whitby to enjoy the delights of this great destination and return over a long weekend.

                    Practicals

Practical Crewing My version of RYA Competent Crew. Three days, 0930-1700hrs onboard for four persons. 5:1 maximum private tuition and you will be up to the RYA Comp Crew standard. No experience necessary. An increasingly popular course which doesn’t involve staying onboard overnight. No RYA Competent Crew certificate can be issued as this is not an official RYA Course, but a more practical one for many. ‘An excellent Practical Crewing course in a lovely boat’ – John. ‘have had a great 3 days and loved every minute’ – Roxy. Cost £350. August 15 – 17th.

This popular Course is now available stayover where you will spend two nights onboard away from Royal Quays, if possible. There is a maximum availability of four persons onboard plus the instructor, and the prices vary according to the berth; Aft cabin; £495 for one person alone. Saloon; with limited stowage, £395. Forecabin with ensuite; £375 each for two sharing or £650 alone, when available. Next Course, day or stayover according to demand, is across Easter; March 29 – 31st 2024 (FULL), August 15 – 17th.

Own Boat Tuition

One/Two to One RYA Course or individual sessions can be arranged on your own boat. from £250/day guide rate. Tuition has been carried out at Royal Quays, Kielder and Nice, in the Med. Thanks for today it was exactly what I needed’ – John

Learn to Sail

Or just brush up your skills before that sail in the Greek Isles. Tuition is on a one to one basis (or one to two), onboard the 12 metre sailing yacht based at Royal Quays marina, North Shields. Dates by mutual agreement. Cost  from £250 for the day with per head discounts for extra persons. One2one will usually require another crew for safety and ability to extend the range of exercises. With notice something can often be arranged.

I can match you up with others in a similar situation, dramatically reducing the cost. Tuition can lead to RYA Competent Crew standard, without the certificate and need to attend a five day, live aboard, course.

Trips and Treats

A present for a birthday or special occasion? Just let me know and I will try and help.

How do I book?

First confirm availability with me and then pay the reservation fee, online direct to my bank, or cheque made payable to ‘Melvyn Wallhead’  sent to 1 Anscomb Gardens, Newcastle upon Tyne NE7 7BB. Cash not refused either! Only when payment has been received can the booking be confirmed. Please give me your age, any sailing experience, and advise me of anything relevant such as limited mobility, diet or health.

Cancellation?

If I have to cancel there would be a full refund.

 

River Trip

Take a short Trip in the River Tyne on my luxury yacht Pure Gallus

As a seafarer who endured seasickness in my early days I can sympathise with anyone who feels they might be a bit queasy going all the way out to sea. In this case a two hour trip motoring all the time and never going out to sea beyond Tynemouth pier ends may be just what you need. Cheaper too with a £45 cost instead of £95 for a full Saturday.

You will start and finish at Royal Quays marina which has full facilities including café and washrooms available for you to use. Onboard you will have the opportunity to steer the boat, lots of photographs  and a free cup of tea too!

No special clothing, other than outdoors, is necessary but Pure Gallus comes up to commercial standards with lifejackets amongst many other safety items.

From Royal Quays a typical route will be motoring downstream past the nautical college and Little Haven beach in South Shields. Sometimes seals are seen in the river. Then returning upriver past the revitalised Fish Quay and further on past the large ships, including cruisers if berthed, then the ship terminals before returning to Royal Quays with a red face if you haven’t been applying sun block. Cost £45, £25 under 15, £35 weekday. 

Cordon Bleu  Catering

Last year a decision was made to outsource onboard catering. Not that my own cordon bleu cooking wasn’t up to scratch, or so I thought (!), perhaps meals should be more in keeping with the high boat standards. Julie was the answer, if she could be persuaded as her efforts are not for sale but for charity fund raising. As we are both involved in charity fund raising for children in Thailand Lert Sa Wat Julie was persuaded and already several £100s have been sent to a worthwhile cause. The quality of the catering has been received with acclaim, often unexpected onboard; ‘Food was really good btw which I wasn’t expecting!’ – Alan, ‘The whole experience was made all the better for the quality of the dinners that were pre-prepared, they were so tasty and wholesome, the portions were big which is just what we all needed after a day tackling the elements’ – Matty The food was absolutely amazing, I even had seconds! Please pass this on to Julie and also let her know the ginger cake is to die for!! 😁’ – Paulene

Night Sailing 

On a 5 day Course, incorporating the mandatory 4 hours night sailing, there can sometimes be space for extra crew for this sail only. Very useful if you have no experience of night sailing or want some extra hours in your log book. When I have sailed in other areas more ‘user friendly’ I have found few challenging light combinations, the Solent excepted. Up in the North East there’s a lot and you may be asked to find the ‘hidden vessel’, which is hard to identify amongst the plethora of background lighting. For £90 you can join us for a marina and boatyard tour to identify light combinations and then off to sea to put this into practice.