Late Sept, Early Oct 2016 – Ipswich and Home

We arrived back in Ipswich on the 12th September.  An Indian summer, which is spoken of in legend, but is rarely seen, arrived in earnest and carried on all the way to early October.  Beautiful blue sky days that demanded us to walk the streets and Parks of Ipswich.  The next 3 weeks passed quickly cleaning, maintaining, walking and socialising.

After 5 months at sea Fleur was due a good cleaning and pampering for her sterling service to our maritime endeavours. 

Our prominent position on the pontoon meant that we caught the eye of Liz and John from Rascal who we had met the winter before.  We had a good chat and put the world to rights over Pizza.

Yvonne and Patrick from Holland appeared on Rambling Rose, again people we met last year who have the same boat as ours.  Patrick regaled us with his tales of Irish adventures and Yvonne treat us to lovely Dutch coffee.  It was Patricks birthday so cake was involved.  Hopefully we will meet up next year if we are lucky enough to head North.   

It takes a traveller to understand the sheer joy of washing machines that work and do not fleece you into the bargain.

I managed to find a new small trolley in the Hospice shop which Mick will use for purchasing cans of diesel.  We are again a fully functioning 2 trolley family.

A revisit to Christchurch Mansions was a must to view the latest display in the gallery and a visit to the Art Gallery to see their summer exhibition, which filled a good day.

Mick went up the mast to inspect the rigging

The distance view

Close Up at the top

Inspecting the Spreaders

He has a device called a Mast Climber which enables him to shin up the mast with me tightening the safety ropes as he goes up and then gently releasing them to bring him down.  A perfect weather day is a must.

Another day was passed at Suffolk University, which is located on the harbour-side.  They were holding a Family History open day with the lecture from a leading light in Ancestry DNA circles.  It does appear a little marginal in some areas with degradation of the DNA halving with each generation, so it is only any use for about 6 generations.  We had access to ancestry databases and had a good root through our family lines.  The grandfather who was always called Rennie was found to be called Rendel which was a discovery making the day worthwhile.

A few days were spent catching up on the blogs of our sailing friends.  We had a great skype call with Louise and Gordon on Camira in Sicily (who we met in our first year 2014), it is good to talk to people who are living their sailing dreams.  It is not all plain sailing and it is fascinating to compare notes with people who tell it like it is.

We had a last meal out in Ipswich with Jane and Adrian who we met in France and again in Holland.  They had recommended a Chinese buffet and so we went and enjoyed it together.  They brought their boat Colne Rose to Ipswich for what turned out to be a beautiful sunny weekend.  We swapped stories about our summers and plans for next year.      

We spent Monday the 3rd October rationalising the Kitchen cupboards and wardrobes.  We packed a summers worth of bear making into Agnes the trolley

Class of 2016 minus three who are sailing the seas and one a Guernsey resident.

4th October – Tuesday

We had a final big breakfast at Jack’s Cafe (best fried slice anywhere).  Then spent the rest of the day racking our brains as to what we may have forgotten to pack.

5th October – Wednesday

Mick had again successfully trawled the internet to reduce our train tickets from £315 each to £40 each!  The 7 hour journey whizzed by compared to our 5 knot summer saunter.  When you are used to 14 hour, slow, meditative journeys, a high speed train is quite exciting.

After 4 trains, with 3 changes, irritating commuters with our trolley, 2 rucksacks and a ukulele we arrived home to a warm welcome and a lovely meal with Annette and Julian.

Summary for 2016

1450 miles and 33 destinations.  Brexit, Attrocities on the French People, two months of overcast skies and big seas, two months of beautiful blue sky days.  Fascinating new cities, towns and villages, meeting friends old and new.  The sailing has been much harder as we went East to West along the North coast of France, West to East is a much better option.

Phew, time to put the feet up and plan for next year.

Thanks for joining us, we love and appreciate your comments and encouragement to keep us company.

Mid Sept 2016 – Ramsgate to Ipswich

6th September – Eastbourne To Ramsgate

A beautifully sunny early morning greeted us as we departed Eastbourne for Ramsgate.  We just made the 06:30 lock, so we were half an hour ahead of schedule.  We knew it was going to be a long day so every advantage helps. 

Calm, glassy sea with the sun popping through the cloud.

We had two options today.  Option 1 was to go to Dover and complete the extra 15 miles the following day.  Option 2 was to go the full 61 miles straight to Ramsgate.

The sea was calm but the undercurrents were strong.  We rocked passed Dungeness Power Station and continued onto Dover.

Dover with Cruise ship.  We had two ferry encounters but steered well clear.

South Foreland, just after Dover.

Option 2 won and we arrived in Ramsgate at 1730 with a running tide and slid in without any problems.  The Border Force were there to greet us.  I think even our humble journeys make you realise what a huge task they have to protect our coastline.

7th September – Wednesday

A boat called Beowulf arrived today which we have seen several times in France this year, so if was nice to finally speak to them.

Later a French boat arrived and there was a bit of commotion as they wrestled with their Genoa (front sail).  The owner then knocked on our boat brandishing a very old Allen key saying simply ‘this’, which meant ‘Do you have one of these?’  A good hour of Entente Cordiale then occurred with several versions of Allen keys being produced from The Mother Ship/Mick’s mega tool stash, to finally solve the problem.  While out at sea the furling mechanism at the bottom of their sail had failed and they could not bring the sail in.  So he was very grateful to have it fixed, drinks were offered but we had already made dinner so we declined (another first).

Mid sail mend with the light fading.

8th September – Thursday

Anyone who knows us, knows that we like historical stuff and free stuff, so free historical stuff is a great day, another weekend of Heritage Open Days begins.  They are sometimes a bit sneaky and some of the things are only open on weekdays so planning is required to schedule things in the correct order to take FULL advantage of the events on offer.  The tourist office had a leaflet showing the places on offer and their opening times (homework).

Day 1

The Grange was the home of Augustus Pugin and his family, who is billed as the ‘designer of the Houses of Parliament’.  There was the house, the presbytery and his church to explore.

The house

The dining room showing off his Gothic style.  The house is now part of the Landmark Trust who take on derelict buildings and bring them back to life and then offer them for hire to guests.  The house will take 8 people and costs £2,000 for per week to hire.  Which works out at £50 per person per night.

Next stop ‘The Italianate Glasshouse’ is a Grand II listed glass house dating back to the early 19th century.  It is normally free to enter and has a cafe which is famed for its cream teas.  It is located in the George VI Memorial Park, which is on the east cliffs outside Ramsgate.

Mick outside what he called the ‘Cold Frame’, as what you see is all there is!

So having walked half way to Broadstairs, and it only being 13:00, we continued onto Broadstairs along the coastal path.

It was a beautiful day for a walk.

Next stop ‘Dickens House Museum’. 

The house was a tea parlour, often visited by Dickens on his many visits to Broadstairs and houses a collection of his belongings.  The character of Betsy Trotwood  in David Copperfield was based on the proprietor Miss Mary Pearson Strong.

I think Mick felt a bit cheated by this afternoon’s offerings and was soothed by ice-cream before the walk back.  I had English Trifle ice-cream another first.

The return walk was enhanced when Mick spotted these urban foxes.  They were living in a hole in a site which is fenced off on the promenade after a failed hotel build.  It is easily seen from the upper promenade but totally secluded on the lower promenade and they live in relative privacy.

9th September – Friday

Day 2

Just two places today.  The Maritime Museum is a very prominent feature on the sea front and we were hopeful.

Sadly the interior is very tired and a little chaotic, the saving grace was a very good video about the evacuation of Dunkirk, as many of the ships hailed from Ramsgate.

Next stop the Micro Museum.

No prizes for guessing who was looking forward to this one!  And I have to admit it did not disappoint.  But at our age it was like having your life flash before your eyes.  From the earliest calculator, game and computer to the most modern.  Gamers are even allowed to play all the retro games on one of the many systems set up around the museum.

Showcase of vintage computers.  The museum is a private collection and is not open every day, check the internet if you are interested.  Its a little gem, small but perfectly formed.

We had a lovely evening with Mark and Dawn, who visited the boat and then we went for a good meal at the Thai Orchid above the marina.  It was really good to meet up and we look forward to seeing them again.  Thanks we really appreciate the visit.

10th September – Saturday

Day Three

The Steam Tug Cervia is the first stop of the day.  It is a rare example of steam ship development.

The visit was escorted by an enthusiastic volunteer who explained the history and the full tour from wheel house to engine room and stoking the boilers.

Mick next to the Steam Powered assisted steering wheel.  When tugging at full strain the wheel was very heavy and this clever device made it possible. 

Next stop is the Defence of the Nation Museum, which is in the entrance of the Ramsgate Tunnels.  These were railway tunnels used as air-raid shelters during the war.  Sadly the tunnels were not part of the visit but the museum was interesting, if still a work in progress.  Outside were several stalls on various subjects.  We particularly liked the Home Front bus.

The bus is a mobile exhibit of life during the war, which travels round to schools etc.  There is a typical front room of the time, air-raid shelter, bombed out street scene and a shop.  It is really well done.

The Thanet Archaeology Trust stand had a good selection of items which you could handle.

Being able to feel real items and appreciate their weights and densities really adds a fascinating dimension.

Me and Helen Harrington who was a joy to talk to, for her enthusiasm, in depth knowledge and humour.

Last stop St Lawrence-in-Thanet church.  We were advised that the walk was worth it to visit St Lawrence so off we went. 

Grade I listed, St Lawrence can trace its beginnings to 1062.  Mostly Norman architecture we trusted its strength to scale the tower.

Along the duck boards on the roof to the bell ringers chamber.

And then for the intrepid a steep climb on narrow ladders passed the bells and up 3 more sets to the roof and a glorious view of Ramsgate and beyond.  As it is soooo flat around here you can see a long way.  After a reviving cupper we had a demonstration of hand-bell ringing and then an invitation for volunteers to have a go.

Check out bell ringer number 4.

And the concentration. 

So that is the end of our Heritage Open Days visits as we are travelling to Ipswich tomorrow.  What I really love about the open days is that you go to places you would not necessarily visit and most are a great surprise and very enjoyable. 

11th September – Sunday – Ramsgate to Ipswich

Ramsgate to Ipswich is a 58 mile trip where the tides have to be calculated well and there is the Thames Estuary to cross, wind farms, cargo ships and Felixstowe to negotiate finishing with a tide dependent trip one and a half hours up the River Orwell and through a lock.  With all that in mind we set off at 05:30 to catch the north going tide.  We first passed the Thanet wind farm, then encountered two huge cargo ships entering the Thames.

Windmills in the distance.

Then the London Array windfarm in the outer Thames Estuary.  There are 175 turbines and it is the largest offshore windfarm in the world and the largest in Europe by megawatt capacity.  All I know is that it takes some passing.

Mick had planned our trip to perfection and we passed under the Orwell bridge around 16:15 to make the 16:30 lock opening.

At the end of a very long but sunny day all you need is a full lock with a Thames Barge as company just to add to the days excitement.  Tick!!!

Fleur is now happily moored in her temporary berth until a permanent winter berth is allocated.

End Aug-Early Sept 2016 Weymouth, Lymington, Brighton, Eastbourne, Ramsgate

We are now on a mission East to get to Ipswich for our winter mooring.

26th August – Friday – To Weymouth

We left Dartmouth at 2:15am because we wanted to round Portland Bill at slack water when the tidal flow is most favourable.  We had our inward track on the navigation system to follow on the way out of the harbour, but even at this time there was still another boat entering the harbour.

Portland Bill on a relatively calm day.

The 59 miles miles took 12 hours and we arrived in Weymouth to access the marina for the 2:00pm bridge opening.

Weymouth Harbour in the evening light.

27th August – Saturday

The morning started with thunder and ended with a beautiful sunny day.  We had not seen a promenade and beach so busy for many years.

The boats started to arrive in the afternoon into the outer harbour and were rafting 7 deep.

We had a lovely few days walking the promenade and the Olympic sailing venues.

Weymouth Marina

£32 per night.  Good new facilities in a modern building.  Plug socket in the corridor.  The Laundry was only £2 per wash and £1 per dry.  Wifi good.  Aldi in the retail park and Tesco in the town centre nearby.

30th August – Tuesday – To Lymington

Beautiful morning to leave Weymouth.  We left the mooring at 07:50 to mill around with the fishing boats until the bridge opened at 08:00, to start the 43 mile trip.  We were greeted with a glassy sea as we left.

We quickly passed Lulworth Cove.  No time to stop and admire the Jurassic Coast geology.

An escapee floatation device made a handy resting spot for this bird.  We had a calm trip apart from rounding St Albans head which we steered well away from.

The Needles off the Isle of Wight were a welcome sight.  We arrived in Lymington after whizzing passed Hurst Point into the Solent at 8.5 knots.  Entering Lymington harbour at 17:00 at low water with the obligatory ferry to make it just that bit trickier.

We had a good view across the Solent at high water from the outermost visitor pontoon.

Not so good view at Low Water.

31st August – Wednesday

After a morning of urgently needed home-hairdressing, we had a good mooch around Lymington.  Being an affluent town it has the best set of Charity Shops.   Mick went for a look around the chandlers and we met for Liquorice Ripple ice-cream, which we had both been looking forward to.

Lymington Harbour with the obligatory crab catchers. 

Lymington Yacht Haven Marina

£37.50 per night it is not the cheapest, but it is one of the best.  Tesco on the High Street, Waitrose beyond.  Good Wifi.  Excellent facilities with hairdryers and straighteners. Several chandlers on site and in town. 

1st September – Thursday – To Brighton

When we set off at 06:45, we had every intension of going to Portsmouth, but fortunately Mick had already planned the route to Brighton also. 

We changed the plan because we shot out of Lymington passing the obligatory 2 ferries and quickly reached 8 knots with the tide which had us passing Portsmouth at 10.30am.  It seemed daft to stop so soon so we changed course for Brighton. 

The 59 miles took 11 hours and we had a good tide for the start and the ride into Brighton.  It was a beautiful sunny day and the wind got to 15-18 knots to also aid the journey.  The sea gets very rolly for 2 hours west of Brighton and we were glad to bounce through the shallow harbour entrance an hour before low water.  Just enough water beneath the keel.  Larger vessels were turned away in the following 2 hours. 

Work in progress on the new windfarm near Brighton.

The piling machine was in full operation as we arrived and contributed to our decision not to stay in Brighton for winter.  It is a noise that can get on your nerves, get on your nerves, get on your nerves.

These flats have been built since our last visit and there are many more to come according to the plans on the promenade.

2nd September – Friday

A very rainy day which was not forecast.  The new marina development was having its opening in the evening with Fireworks and Gok Wan on the music decks.

Gok has such a distinctive voice which was only used to announce the fireworks then he mixed the music non-stop til midnight.

We were sad to see the old Chinese boat floating restaurant was closed, pending re-development.

3rd September – Saturday

We walked into town which is a 30 minute trip passed the National Speed Trials which were in full swing on the lower promenade.  Cars and motorbikes challenging each other over timed quarter miles.

An excellent view from the upper promenade.

A speedy angle-box (Ford Anglia)

Big telly showing the competitors, their times and the end of the measured track.

Impressive wheel spinning at the start line.  The whole thing is organised by the Brighton and Hove Motor Club and the entrants need a Class A racing licence to compete.

Mick outside the new i360 British Airways observation tower which is 162 metres high.  A couple of days later it got stuck 30 feet up for 2 hours!  It holds 200 people and had one pop-up portaloo!!!

We really like Brighton and spent a happy few hours in the bohemian North Laines.  Then a lazy Sunday.

Brighton Marina

£32 per night.  Good facilities on the main jetty.  Asda on the marina complex.  Poor wifi.

5th September – Monday – To Eastbourne

We left at 09.30 in the mist, drizzle and rolling sea.  Without previous experience we may have gone back into port when we saw the heavy mist.

Everyone back to work on Monday including the fishermen.  This guy emerged from the mist along with several others.  Thank goodness they use AIS in bad weather.

The mist cleared mid-morning and at just 23 miles it was going to be a short-ish day and we arrived at 2:00pm into the lock having passed Beachy Head.

I had a good look around the nearby retail park in the afternoon.

Eastbourne Marina

£32.55 per night.  Good facilities.  No chandlers.  Asda nearby behind the marina shops across the car park (there are no signs for it).

Next stop Ramsgate, then a few days rest.