Early April was spent catching up with friends prior to our departure.
10th April - Friday
We travelled to Manchester on the train to catch the Megabus to Southampton, with ‘Agnes’ (pre-named) our new trolley, kindly donated by Mick’s sister Jacquie.
While in Manchester we happened upon the John Rylands Library, which we can’t believe we have never been into before. It is on Deansgate and we must have passed it hundreds of times.
It is free to enter and has a lovely new cafe. The exhibitions have some really interesting and historic documents. Definitely worth a look.
The Megabus set off from the bus station in the Northern Quarter at 5.40pm and we arrived in Southampton at midnight via Birmingham Centre and Birmingham Airport, Coventry, Oxford, Southampton Airport and then Southampton centre. The loo was much better than expected. It is great people watching. One guy was killing aliens all the way whilst another got out his IPhone, MacBook and Choral sheet music and conducted his way to Southampton.
Couple of days general preparations and stocking up.
13th April – Monday
Left Shamrock Quay, Southampton for Haslar Marina, Gosport. 09.00 to 13.00, 10 knots of wind and patchy fog. Shakedown trip, all working well. Chippy Tea as reward. Great Chippy called Fry-Days near the passenger ferry terminal. Haslar Marina is quite tidal and it is worth asking for an inner berth if you are staying a few days.
The next day was so foggy we could not see the ‘Spinnaker Tower’ in Portsmouth across the river. So decided to stay put. It was worse than the picture below. The fog horn which woke us was the biggest clue to stay put.
15th April – Wednesday - To Brighton
Leaving Gosport
08.15 to 17.45, 9 hours for a 44 mile journey. The day was misty, with hazy sunshine later. There was little or no wind so we motored all the way, only having the main sail up to increase our visibility to other boats. The mist cleared approximately 10 miles from Brighton so that we could see the coast for the first time that day.
16th April – Thursday
Mick changed the front seal in the water pump as it was dripping slightly.
Had a walk around and went to the large Asda on the marina.
17th April – Friday
Graham and Pauline visited as they had never been to Brighton. After lunch on the boat we had a bus trip into town and walked the Pier, Laines, and North Laines, before returning by bus. Lovely meal at the Floating Pagoda Chinese Restaurant in the marina.
18th April – Saturday
Mick spent the day removing the Eberspacer (Diesel Heater) which had stopped working a few days previously. A new ECU (Electronic Control Unit) had to be ordered and the whole system had to be tested.
Graham, Pauline and Myself went into town and they went to the Pavilion. While I had a good look around the North Laines and found a few new places including a Saturday street market on Upper Garden St, more of which later. There was a craft exhibition in a hall near the pavilion and we met in there afterwards, then had a look around the museum. Back on the bus and lunch before they went home. They also have many travels planned so we will look forward to our next meet up to exchange stories.
19th April – Sunday – Laura’s Birthday
We walked to town quite early, it’s a good couple of miles along the seafront. We were lucky enough to happen upon the 110th Anniversary Rally to Brighton of the Austin Motor company owners club.
They look so small in comparison to todays cars.
This Rag-time Jazz band were playing as the cars arrived.
As you can see above, on our way back a few hundred more had arrived, including these vans.
We went for a sit on the Pier and Mick had a good chat to Laura from his deckchair.
We walked to the North Laines via the Town Museum which is located behind the Pavilion. It is free to enter and has a good selection of exhibits from all over the world.
I took Mick to some of the new places I found yesterday. The huge junk/antiques centre on Upper Garden St. Crammed to the rafters with interesting stuff. Then to the market underneath Brighton railway station (turn left at the end of the North Laines and walk up the hill OR turn left and left again out of the station). I don’t think it has been open too long.
As you can see it does not immediately jump out at you as an indoor market with lots of wacky stalls. Be brave go up the wood block steps and turn right. They really need better signage.
We shared a falafel wrap made by the man in the right hand kiosk, which was fresh and delicious, he tempted us with a sample and we could not refuse.
Back in time to watch the Grand Prix and read the papers.
20th April – Monday
Waiting for the Eberspacer part. Had a walk past the marina and UP the large zig zag walkway to get to Lidl (which we spied from the bus) with the trolley.
Returned and did a stock take.
Yes, I think we have enough beans and emergency tins for the trip.
21st April – Tuesday
Mick re-installed the Eberspacer with its new ECU, and we are toasty warm again. Fan heaters are OK, but their heat is digital.
The new ECU is a Mark II variant as Eberspacer re-designed it a few years ago after many failures. It has lasted 10 years, 1,350 hours of use, so if the new one lasts as long, or longer, we will be happy.
22nd April – Wednesday – Brighton to Eastbourne
Would have been my dad’s 90th birthday.
We set off at 10.30 and arrived at 14.30, so only 4 hours to do the 22 mile trip. But what a four hours.
The forecast was for 16 to 24 knots of wind, which turned into 20 to 32 knots of wind (force 6 gusting 7). The tide was with us but the wind was against us and the sea state around Beachy Head became quite rough with over-falls, ever though we were 3 miles out to sea, attempting to avoid the worst of the over-falls.
I steered for most of the 4 hours with only one enforced loo break which made me feel atrocious. I got back to the helm as soon as possible and did not move until we got to Eastbourne. We ate none of our sandwiches and only had an apple en-route.
Mick did a sterling job navigating as he had to keep going below, I could not have handled that.
I had several dowsing’s from huge waves hitting the front of the boat and crashing though others, and even wearing all my wet weather gear I was soaked. One wave went right down the back of my coat. The ironic thing was it was a beautiful sunny day, so we were soggy, wind-blown, shaken up and sun-burnt!!
We got talking to a couple called Mike and Karon who invited us for a drink, on their Warrior 40 ‘Pelican’. They had just arrived from Calais. They have vast experience of sailing in the Baltic and were happy to share their experiences. We had a good few hours chatting and swapping stories. We hope to read their blog in the future, which they are planning to write.
Chilli and sleep.
We have Eastbourne to explore now.