November 2020

 

Northumbria Sailing

      The Leading Provider of Sail Cruising Courses in North East England

November Newsletter

Belligerent Boris Back to Bar Boating – But the practical season was just about over anyway. (space on a Day Trip tomorrow November 2nd at £40). Still it’s been good whilst it lasted and the weather now has its off season feel and tells us it’s time to get some theory in. How though?

My autumn evening classes have had to be moved to commence in January, assuming a suitable venue can be found and a new one is under consideration. Zoom sessions are currently available for a maximum of three and these are put on according to demand.

Still we can read and learn from sailing reports and this month features one from a couple which started out with an imbalance and has ended up with both equally keen and determined to succeed together.

I like this signature shown here, extracted from a recent practical booking form:

 

Learning to Sail in Lockdown Year

‘We had both retired from long careers in the NHS during 2019 and were starting to think about how to use all this newly acquired free time; an exciting opportunity but also a bit scary when you have become used to a fixed routine for so long. What we needed was something we could do together for shared experiences, something that would stop our brains seizing up and yes, something that would stop us getting fed up with the sight of each other!

Language classes, ballroom dancing etc. have all been considered (and not completely discounted yet) but having some limited, but enjoyable, previous experience of sailing this emerged as the immediate front runner. Actually at that point in time it was Adrian’s front runner and Jo dutifully went along with it (to her credit) and explains why Adrian may have to face up to Ballroom Dance classes as a reciprocal arrangement. So, after a quick search on the internet we discovered Northumbria Sailing and Melvyn – and that’s when our problems began. February and March 2020 saw us sitting in the Lock Cafe at Royal Quays wrestling with problems such as “do I add the tidal stream at the beginning or end of the ground track” – all patiently explained by Melvyn as part of the Day Skipper Theory Course. We live in Alnwick so although we would have liked to do the group evening classes it was easier to do a couple of mornings a week.

The benefit of Adrian’s “slightly” superior sailing experience was gradually eroded as Jo’s scientific background (and it has to be said, better mental arithmetic) crunched through tidal height calculations, magnetic variations and so on. It would even be fair to say that there was a competitive element to our studies (I wonder where that came from Jo!) with impromptu quizzes over breakfast and  knotty challenges thrown down whilst trying to watch the match on TV (yes, actual ropes and knots). Jo’s interest and confidence had started to grow until by the time of the exam Adrian was seriously worried – especially when Melvyn put us on separate tables to prevent copying. If this all sounds a bit serious it wasn’t really. We really enjoyed doing the course together – it was relaxed and all about providing the knowledge and gaining a real understanding of the theory rather than just learning facts by rote.

Unfortunately the Covid pandemic put a stop to the Day Skipper Practical week we had pencilled in with Melvyn for May but a welcome distraction came along when we were able to do our VHF course; some of it acting as guinea pigs while Melvyn honed his skills on Zoom. Our main training and assessment (again all thorough but informal and relaxed) was undertaken on Lian. Lockdown measures were reduced sufficiently to allow a family day sail (with Adrian’s father and our son, so three generations in all) in July. This was a fun day out with great sailing weather and was a useful way of getting to know Lian and some of the basic routines for mooring and getting the sails up. This set us up nicely to finally undertake our Day Skipper Practical week in September – albeit on a day sail basis rather than sleeping on board. Again, we really enjoyed learning together (along with fellow “victims” Denis and Ingela) and had plenty to talk about in the evenings as we both shared our learning experiences. We even enjoyed the night sail – despite pouring rain and being terrorised by lobster pots (well done Ingela for keeping us clear). Trying to decipher navigation lights from the assorted background illuminations on land (including traffic lights) proved a salutary lesson.

We both made the grade (Day Skipper Theory & Practical and VHF) and it turned out that our areas of strength / weakness pretty much complemented each other. We both grew in confidence and gained a lot of satisfaction from the achievement – especially in a year that has proved so difficult in many other ways. It’s fair to say that by the end of our courses Jo was expressing genuine enjoyment of this sailing malarkey rather than just tagging along – prompting Melvyn to remind Adrian just how lucky he was – even more pressure to do the ballroom dancing then! The culmination of our efforts came when we managed to get away on a last minute flotilla holiday in early October. Given the Covid situation there were, of course, risks to be considered but thankfully everything went well and we had a wonderful two weeks sailing around the Ionian Sea taking it in turns to be Skipper, practising our newly acquired skills and having one or two minor moments (“incidents” as Melvyn calls them) that cement your learning! If being brutally honest there may have been occasional minor domestics as well!

Learning to sail with a partner or spouse brings interesting challenges but mainly advantages. We are still speaking to each other and are already planning further sailing adventures. The shared knowledge, ability to take over if necessary (if one of you gets sea sickness for example) and overall a more equal partnership for making decisions really enhanced our sailing experience, giving us a solid foundation for future sailing adventures together and lots of fun in the making. Jo has started a little black book just like Melvyn’s which still has plenty of room to log our further misdemeanours. Discussions over buying our own (small) boat are ongoing!’  – Jo & Adrian

Trafalgar Day

Drinking alcohol onboard whilst underway is usually banned but enroute to Hartlepool we had to toast Trafalgar Day and local lad Lord Collingwood in particular. The trip was crewed by a Coastal Skipper and three day Skippers; Colin, myself, John, Mario & Catherine shown here. Not that is was without incident though, for when we arrived in the dark I tried to navigate without the chart plotter and the all important light on the pier end was off. We were straying towards shallows before the marina noticed my track and advised me accordingly. John said ‘I learnt more in this hour of night sailing than 6 hours in the Med!’. 

October Iron Men

A quote from Royal Quays marina on their Facebook page; ‘Pretty grim conditions today as witnessed by the fact that everyone is wearing waterproofs! Cold, grey, wet, with a brisk north easterly – even the trawlers are tied up. So hats off to our two resident sea schools Oceanic Sea School and Northumbria Sailing for getting out and having fun on the water. If you can get through days like this you’ll sail through when the sun is shining!’

I left very sorry for them having two such wet days – fortunate for myself though as Steve  was the instructor on this 5 day Course!. I asked them more than once whether they were enjoying themselves and received a resounding ‘yes’ so, for the first time in my 10 years, I presented them all, instructor included, with a bottle of wine each in appreciation. Seen here are Kevin, Ryan, Lee & Mark.  Not that the Course was without incident though as I received the call I always fear ‘Melvyn, we have a problem’. The rains had washed down a lot of branches, logs etc and one was caught between the prop and the rudder. This was eventually freed but a liftout was required to check her over as later they were setting off to Blyth for their night sail. Thus the 5 day practicals came to an end for 2020.

Reefing

An important part of any Course is to achieve the ability to reef successfully when needed’. Lian has three reefing points and we were caught on camera here practising – up sail, down to first, then second and, finally, third in a drill which needs to become automatic when reefing for real in heavy winds and seas.

Bye Bye Zetland

 

The Earl of Zetland is now being dismantled and scrapped to give more marina space. I understand the hull will be lifted onshore and am hoping to be there when the lift takes place.

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’ 

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 & 30^th February 4, 11, 25 & 27^th March 4, 11, 18, 30 & 31^st. There will be a small class Zoom alternative at £375. 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 & 25^th February 1, 8, 22^nd March 1, 8, 13, 15 & 17^th. There will be a Zoom alternative at £375 for a small, weekday,  class starting Mid November

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. This has been very popular since Courses re-started and here we see John, Jill, Barry & Derek. Cost £295, weekday only.

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 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), May 23 – 28th & July 19 – 23rd. 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), May 23 – 28th & July 19 – 23rd. ‘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 (FULL) Next availability, provisionally; January 22nd 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   

Pieces of Eight – Knotty Problems Analysed

Refer back to ‘October Iron Men’ above where I opted for an ‘in slings’ inspection, cheaper and quicker than the full lift. Here the boat was just lifted enough to show the propellor so this could be checked (for which I was very grateful to Royal Quays marina, Alex in particular, for doing the lift so promptly).

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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.

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

Eddie Redshaw is now recovering from a vicious attack by the plague and is back on the water.

Mark Batey has a new love in his life, having just purchased a pretty 20 foot trailer sailer, a Norfolk Gypsy, Isabel when I encountered him one morning – note the slippers! as he was sleeping onboard. Mark still has another mistress, now relegated to the cold boatyard.

Emre Yilmaz was about to take his Yachtmaster Offshore examination but has suffered a Covid cancellation.

John Short is enjoying Sicilian warmth in his newly purchased boat.

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! 

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.’

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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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