August 2023

 August’s News On and Off the Water

River Trips

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.  The first day of trips will begin Saturday September 23rd.

‘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

Classroom

Onboard Pure Gallus there’s a classroom suitable for a small class but, mostly, the modern Life Centre in Heaton is used.

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 £595 or £925 on tailored tuition. ‘I have to say it was tough, and tested the brain calls somewhat. However – it was great challenge and good company – Debra’.  The US Navy are teaching sailors Celestial Navigation again as a precaution against cyber attack. An evening class is planned to commence October/November. US Navy.

Navigating by the Stars

Fewer mariners with experience of ocean sailing before GPS are still with us and Jonathan Kemp is one of them. With his guidance I have acquired a Star Globe of the type he used down in the Falklands and will be using this in sessions, ashore I hasten to add. He has described his experiences for posterity. Jonathan.

RYA COASTAL YACHTMASTER The advanced Course, a must for those proceeding to Yachtmaster level. Cost £575 for class & £850 tailored tuition. You need a good knowledge of this Course before being tested by the RYA Examiner. Provisional dates for the next class, Thursday evenings & two Saturdays; January 11, 18, 20 & 25^th, February 1, 8, 22 & 29^th March 7, 9, 14, 21, 25 & 28^th. An extra victim is sought to share costs for One2One. 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 £550. Autumn 2023 dates; October 2, 9, 10, 16 & 30th, November 6, 7, 13, 20 & 27th, December 4, 11 & 12th all from 1800 – 2100hrs Day Skipper Theory.

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 £795 for Day Skipper, £850 for Coastal/Yachtmaster™ and £925 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

Skills Centre

It’s now some 13 years since I started delivering RYA Courses, their format and their questions to be answered. Yet important messages are not always given their due weight and there’s no scope for further investigation. Skills Centre sessions and courses will have this in mind and offer the opportunity to seek further knowledge as well as refreshing existing. I see subjects being mainly theory with some practical, but am open to suggestions

TIDES In this subject we look at real tides and apply this to examples in waters of the UK and Europe, with particular emphasis on our very tidal North East Coast. Learn how to calculate tidal heights and streams at main and secondary ports. You will be using Reed’s Almanac and the first session will be for assumed beginners leading to more advanced stuff later on. This Course will be run across three sessions 1800 – 2100hrs at Heaton. Cost £95 for three sessions, less for fewer. ‘Being new to sailing and having seen numerous yacht go aground in Amble harbour entrance, the tides we have on the NE coast frightened me a little. I looked into the online courses but decided to go with you and the classroom instead and I’m glad I did. Learning in a group with instant help and feedback from you made understanding the lessons so much easier.’ – Thornley 

FOG ALL OVER You have a chart plotter, AIS and Radar showing there’s another vessel out there. Plenty of electronic information but, you then realise, none tell you which way to turn. In the collision between Whispa and Gas Monarch the former was not on a collision course but the skipper misconstrued notorious Rule 19d and actually turned towards Gas Monarch and collided. This short course, I’m not sure yet how many sessions, will attempt to throw some light on this important subject.

SKIPPER SKILLS Another new course aimed at improving skills of either an existing skipper or a very competent crew about to take their RYA Day Skipper Practical. This Course will include exercises such as berthing, which are not normally available outside an RYA Course and others according to demand. For example; use of up to date Raymarine electronics, night sail or just confidence building. Dates for the first course are two days September 4+5th (FULL), another October 13+14th  provisionally

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.

Kintyre & Crinan in 2024

May 11 – 18th 

In 2024 we are looking towards a stunning Adventure around the Mull of Kintyre, visiting ‘whisky’ Islay and relaxing in the Crinan canal. This will be one you will remember for a very long time.

A reservation has been placed on a 2011 commissioned 12.1 metre yacht, Tramontane, a Hanse 400, sailing out of Largs, a marina with easy access and excellent facilities. There will be a maximum of 5 persons onboard. A larger yacht might be more glamorous and cheaper per head, but is less participatory.

Costings. There is a maximum availability of four persons onboard plus the skipper, and the prices vary according to the berth; Aft cabin; £895 for one person alone. Saloon; £795. Forecabin with ensuite; £750 each for two sharing. Extra is a ‘kitty’ share. Only the saloon berth is still available. 

 

New – Mini Sailing Adventures

In response to demand, Sailing Adventures on Pure Gallus will take the form of Mini versions as well as Maxi, tailored for holders of their RYA Day Skipper Practical tickets, but also welcomed are other seafarers keen to experience sailing on this 2016 built yacht fitted to high standards. Electronics include Raymarine kit including a Plotter, Radar and AIS. Pure Gallus, a Sun Odyssey 419, is the type of boat, with twin wheel helms, you might charter on your holiday in the Med.

Guidance will be available but you will be fully involved in the Adventure and may even care to select your own crew. Maximum number will be four plus the Skipper and sharing the ensuite forecabin will give berths at the most economical rate.

A holiday Mini Adventure has been arranged across two days August 31st+September 1st. Anyone already familiar with Pure Gallus or the predecessor Lian by means of a 3 or 5 day Course qualifies for discounted prices from £75 discounted and £125 non discount.  

PRACTICAL COURSES

All local courses take place on the school boat, a Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 419 12 metre built less than 6 years ago and the type of boat you may aspire to when going out on your own adventures. For full information on what to expect from an RYA Course with Northumbria Sailing you are recommended to click

From Alan following a 5 day course; ‘Food was really good btw which I wasn’t expecting!

Where Do I Sleep?

On Pure Gallus you will have the opportunity to select your berth and pay accordingly. Singles go in the saloon or an aft cabin with doubles in the forecabin which has private ensuite facilities. Doubling up in the forecabin provides the cheapest deal.

PRACTICAL CREWING My version of RYA Competent Crew. Three days, 0930-1700hrs onboard for up to four ideally, sometimes five, and you will be up to the Comp Crew standard. No experience necessary and no need to stay onboard overnight. This was very popular in 2022 and here we see Lorna, Mel, Sean, Emma & Jo, one being pregnant too.  Cost £350, weekday only. The RYA Sailing Skills – Level 1 is incorporated into this Course and this RYA certificate will be issued with the logbook marked accordingly.

This popular Course is now available stayover where you will spend two nights onboard away from Royal Quays and included will be the RYA Start Yachting certificate. 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. September 19 – 21st (Saloon only left)

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 £75 weekday & £95 weekend. Next Trips; September 16 (Saturday) & 18th provisionally. and more later as they fill up quickly (one victim, Owen, takes all places for practice before their boat charter in the Med). 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. No experience needed. Cost, according to berth, from £650 (cabin sharing, £695 alone). Or see Practical Crewing above. Next availability; September 25 – 29th & October 2nd – 6th ‘You were a pleasure to have as a guest, instructor and examiner. Your wisdom, advice and encouragement was much appreciated’ – Rachel  

Seeking Day Skipper?

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. 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.

It is important that you are ready to take this important Course and, for minimum standards, check out on the web page Day Skipper Pre-Quirements. These standards and experience are expected at the time of booking. Cost, according to berth, from £695 (cabin sharing, £750 alone). Ask for more details if you possess the pre-quirements linked above.  ‘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 START YACHTING  A two day course for beginners which can be the ‘start’ of greater things. You live onboard for two days and visit another marina, away from Royal Quays. This is a Weekday Course for which a minimum booking of two is needed (singles also welcome). Cost from £275 sharing & from £295 single. October 13+14th  provisionally

INTERNATIONAL CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCE (ICC) This can be done on the same course as Day Skipper/Competent Crew. In 2023 there will be a new ICC Course, shorter and cheaper than the full 5 day Day Skipper Practical. Some countries will not accept RYA Day Skipper Practical certificate and request the ICC; ‘To sail a yacht bareboat in Greece the Greek authorities require the skipper to be over 18 and have a sailing licence issued by a statutory authority. Currently the ICC (International Certificate of Competence) for sail is most widely accepted, an RYA Coastal Skipper practical certificate or higher (new certificate version to include photo ID’. Cost £495. Alternatively I can test you on your own boat at much cheaper cost. Individual quotations are given for this which will be from £275 for one day, own boat ICC Guidance

Enter into Hartlepool and you must face the tricky approach channel which will dry 0.6m at Chart Datum. The directional light on the office tower is difficult to spot and shown here is this channel at low water. 😏

 A Day up the Mast

Northumbria Sailing  on Video

Alan Robson produced this video of his sailing experience during his five days and gaining his International Certificate of Competence. Day Skipper.mov – Google Drive

Have a look at my Theory Training Centre with this video. Training

Onboard the Hallberg Rassy training yacht, now replaced by a Sun Odyssey 419, 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   

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 £120 plus £70 for the RYA. Also available One to One at £190 and online at £95 to include manual. Assessment £70 extra. Next sessions; September 11th and October 19th Try these links. RYA Online VHF Radio  and RYA Online VHF video

The RYA require you to book your face to face assessment at the time of enrolling on a Course. Beware of anyone offering this Course without this.  RYA 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 £130, plus 10.50 to RYA. Next session; October 17th provisionally ‘Thank you very much for yesterday’s course’ – Stephen

CEVNI test for the Inland waterways endorsement to your ICC. Done online, cost £35

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 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 £130 plus £11 for the RYA Pack. Maximum 6 persons. Next session; October 18th provisionally.  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 £30 (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 £8 Pack. Next Session; October 5th First Aid Certificates   

Two Sailing School Principals (One in waters a lot warmer)

Jonathan Colwell paid a visit on his return from Croatia where he’s principal of an RYA Sailing School in warm waters. Jonathan was one of my very first victims and went through most of my courses and now is able to sail in the sun. Yacht Sail Training  so if your preference is the Med give him a try

Victims (All) at Sea

Rob and Faye have abandoned all to sail round Britain in their newly acquired Catalina 400 Reach Out and write (on August 1st); ‘ We’re currently swinging on a mooring in the harbour of Tobermory on the Isle of Mull. The journey up from Port Ellen has been a wet one! New leaks have been found – though they only seem to rear their heads when it’s a proper Scottish torrential downpour. So every other day then it seems 🙂 We took in Craighouse on Jura first but we didn’t hang about for long as the moorings were open to enough swell to steal a proportion of sleep, so we set off quick sharp for Loch Sween as some rough weather was coming in again. We’ve had a depression every weekend for the last seven in a row!! Tayvallich was the chosen land, although we didn’t manage to get into the harbour as it was too busy, instead we anchored just outside in what turned out to be a lovely spot. Of course the wind blasted from the only direction that this haven didn’t offer protection from, but solid holding in mud kept us on the water.

The weather did abate and after a few days of tranquility we headed north to Oban, via Crinan. We’d decided to split this passage into two so that we had a favourable tide heading through Dorus Mor and the Luing Sound. This turned out to be a good shout as Crinan was a good spot for getting anchored and getting ashore to stretch the legs and survey more fish and chips.

It was a cracking passage from Crinan to Oban. Dorus Mor was a proper adrenaline rush, we were shot through and spat out the other side at nearly nine knots, then making similar speed up the Luing Sound towards and past Fladda lighthouse and into the Firth of Lorn. We looked with respect towards a very gloomy looking Gulf of Corryvreckan, happy to be nowhere near its clutches. Oban was a shock to the senses after so much solitude, but there was enough whisky to numb the pain. Happy to do our bit for the industry 😄Peace was to return as we headed north to Loch Aline. What a beautiful and sheltered anchorage, we spent three nights there and debated a fourth. Our batteries were charged, but the boat batteries were not, so Balamory made sense. Though we’re still not sure what the story is 😕

We’ll be going through the Caledonian on the 15th of Aug and we’re very excited for it. We’ve always wanted to experience it and will cruise a good week to take our time. Then we’ll be on the east coast! Hard to believe! If you have any advice for heading down the east coast towards the Tyne, it would be gratefully received.

We’ve also been keeping a video diary; if you’d like to have a look you can see it in the link below.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnLrT-ESGVw Also is a link where you can see our Facebook page. https://youtu.be/k4v1-MK1LR4 https://www.facebook.com/sailinghjem’  I have promised Rob & Faye that ‘lunch will be on me – once they are cleaned up!’ – Ed 

Rhonda Miller with six others making seven onboard enjoying the sun in Greece

Will Hopkins; ‘Just and update for you, after doing my VHF and Day sail with you, I did my competent crew whilst working out in Spain and then managed to get a last minute spot on a Day Skipper course in Scotland, when the weather was not so good! In January I purchased a 1982 Moody 333, which I’m currently sat in doing a solo sail from Greece to Spain, all from that first taster session with you.  Would like to do my YM when back in the UK.’ 

Andy reports; ‘I thought you might like an update from the Ionian. It’s a been a very hot week of over 35C and the wind a little less predictable but a couple of good days with constant 20kn for a few hours late afternoon. We managed to get the Bavaria 40 up to 8kn to windward. The time with you was very well spent. Although hand hauling 50m of chain when a windlass broke was not something i remember covering! 

Castles & Islands Race 2023

Helen Taylor, daughter of John took part in this annual race on a trailer sailer. Written by Philippa Harris for her husband ; ‘Julian Everitt designed the Extrovert 22 for a firm of aluminium boat builders, Linklaters, on the banks of the Tyne. For a while in the early 80’s they were very much part of the racing scene  at RNYC in Blyth. One of their number then named ET spent it’s early life at Holy Island and then at Alnmouth. After 5 years on the mud in the estuary there I put in a speculative and in retrospect generous offer to her owner which was accepted. I say generous because the cost of refitting a small yacht is surprising.  With the advice of the designer we increased the mainsail area and reduced the jib to 105%. Then adding a larger spinnaker and a code zero on a small bowsprit. The deck gear all needed replacing and the keel was shot-blasted and epoxy coated.  On hearing of the purchase my third son declared that he would be borrowing the boat for this year’s C&I race. No discussion was required.  We were still adding details to the rig and rigging on the day before the race and there is more to be done.  But she was ready for an outing. Hugo, the son, was joined by his new wife Rosie and Helen Taylor, daughter of John and Deidre from Alnmouth and RABC. Three runners and me.

Expecting to be last in the run from Alnwick to Amble, Hugo and Rosie were pleasantly surprised to have at least 6 runners behind them in a field of 8 boats and 16 runners. A small hiccough in dinghy inflation was solved not by Viagra but by the kind loan of a working dinghy pump from Monkey Business. This helped them board the small yacht, now called Final Warning,  without getting their shorts too wet. And off we went. Four boats ahead and three behind. Albany Express, Sanda Sund  and Monkey Business all getting flying starts. We were chased around Coquet by Fagin’s Express with Harriet’s Express a little ahead.  With Albany Express that made three Albins. My daughter had successfully competed in our old Albin Expressly Forbidden in 2017 and we knew they were good boats for the race. Emerging from the back of Coquet we hoisted the large orange and still crinkly spinnaker and sailed high for speed in the soft wind. As we approached Boulmer Style the wind increased. Our anemometer was working but not calibrated for boat speed or heading so we do not know the wind speed but I estimated it was around 16 to 18 knots for a while. The Extrovert has wide flat after sections and we were soon surfing with 10 knots on the log. Rosie’s parents had come up for the weekend and my wife Pippa had taken them for supper in the Jolly Fisherman at Craster so as to be able to observe the sail past. After a slightly lively broach I suggested we gybe so as to pass closer to Craster at which point Hugo on foredeck  reported that the mast spinnaker pole fitting had been damaged in the broach and the sail had to come down. The new Code Zero was pressed into action and though requiring slightly bigger angles to the wind was surprisingly effective. Harriet however with her lovely carbon sails was away, and Fagin’s was soon to overtake.

At Newton several boats were already in or heading in. A good move we thought but with some uncertainty as to whether the skipper would need to join the runners, in which case he would need to do the shortest run, we headed on to Seahouses in the company of Fagin’s. Arriving there just behind them at around midnight we did a handbrake turn towards the piers and threw both girls into the freshly inflated dinghy (WaveEco, about the size of an inflatable  foot bath) which they paddled manfully ( can I still say that?) around the pier head and disappeared from sight. Radio communication with the marshal was impaired by the high pier but eventually we heard that they had landed and  were not adrift among the Glad Tidings of Seahouses. Hugo and I threw the anchor over and brewed a coffee to keep us alert. It was not until after the race that we saw in small print that the Morrison’s coffee bags we had were decaffeinated. Staying awake despite this we were impressed by the speed of the girls as they pursued Fagin’s runners around the course. We had anchored much closer to the pier than Fagin’s, in all honesty rather too close, but it paid off as our runners despite being second back were first to be aboard and anchor already raised we were quickly off heading through the inner sound for Holy Island. Half way there the wind died and we gybed the zero repeatedly sailing high angles to maintain boat speed. Fagin’s was again ahead as we reached Triton but not by that much as we started the outboard and motored in. A yacht, Albany I think,  was already leaving as we entered. In the harbour were four or five boats and we dropped Hugo and Helen off as close as we dared before throwing the hook over. I slept for an hour to the baleful moanings,  or ‘song’ some say, of the seals on the sands beyond.  Spotting the runners returning by the castle I raised the mainsail only to regret it as the anchor became irretrievable. Dropping again I eventually raised it and they were quickly on board and away. On the run they had overtaken Fagin’s runners one of whom had  damaged his ankle slowing him considerably. Once again we were ahead. From now on the winds were well forward of the beam but we made good progress towards and through Staple sound with the south going tide setting in and the sun rising in the east ( where it should be).  We could see a small race ahead off the Knivestones but were unpleasantly surprised by the continuing very unpleasant chop all the way to Beadnell. Nobody succumbed entirely but Rosie felt less than cheerful. By the time we reached Newton there was very welcome warmth in the sun and the bay was thankfully peaceful with no surf. I offered to run but the hard core were having none of it and Hugo and Helen  were off again while Rosie revived.  Sanda Sund and Harriet’s were seen sailing past to seaward having completed the Newton run on their way North. Not much chance of catching Harriet’s but could we catch Sanda on handicap? Runners on board and fortified by the unknowingly decaffeinated coffee and some ‘add hot water’ porridge (gas camping stove on the cockpit seat) we embarked on the last lap. The wind had veered enough to make it a one sided beat easing to a close reach all the way to the finish. Sanda ahead but no one evident close behind we relaxed and enjoyed a beautiful sail. But then we noticed that  Sanda was becoming easier to see. 22ft versus 34 ft. What was going on?  The answer was a spinnaker line, two fishing floats and a ball of seaweed. These were retrieved from their rudder and propeller the following morning. We approached the finish line neck and neck, they to seaward, we inshore. They pipped us by a minute or two and we crossed at 1125. This left just enough tide to scrape our 1.4m epoxied keel over the bar and across the cill into the marina.

Greeted by Rosie’s relieved parents (allowing her to marry my son was one thing, letting her go to sea in a half prepared tin can was another) and by John and Deidre and of course Pippa  we were pleased to be in and tied up while larger and later boats were stuck outside.

Home for lunch and a nap, we arrived back, me still groggy, for the prize giving. Albany was quickest all round and Harriet’s fastest sailing. We were 3^rd overall and 3^rd sailing which more than satisfied our hopes. Poor Monkey Business who had so kindly helped us out with the dinghy pump,  after a blistering start left their propeller blades somewhere on the seabed near Newton and were forced to retire. A great event as always with ups and downs,  but hard work. Type 2 fun as Rosie remarked.

Own Boat Tuition & Courses

What happens when there are two Day Skippers onboard. Ask Jo & Adrian of Dawn Sky how they manage with one tiller between them. 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 course and a daily rate for an instructor would be quoted.  

This is why I’m in the Sailing Business

Sailing Today Podcasts

Try these Podcasts Sailing Today Podcasts.

Reader’s Links

A section featuring links of a maritime interest sent to me.

Donna gives a clear picture of how she felt as an ordinary person coming to her RYA Day Skipper Practical Course; Donna Sail

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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