Ahoy,
arrived L'Aber Wrach, had some assistance with mooring lines from Bill & Sue, very grateful as this can be tricky on your own, it gets trickier the posher the surrounding boats(thank you for the milk too). They were berthed next to me in a beautiful 40ft Westerly Sea Lord, not going to bang on about it as don't want to make the Ol' Girl jealous.
Concentration, rain and a cold wind together with a nasty little swell made it a very tiring passage, great relief to arrive safe & sound.
Everything worked well, except for my French "Adventure" flask, which had a picture of mountains on it. They must have been very tiny mountains as it broke after just 1 small cup of coffee, 40 minutes out, this seemed to make the passage even colder. Some Ol' Sea Dogs may be saying hove to and make a cuppa, I just wanted to make L' Aber Wrach in good light.
This is a pretty place, with fine amenities, locally it is a bit sparse though, next anchoring at Le Chat, that feels like it's going to be quite a test
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
Grue Out of All Expectation
Ahoy,
well they are just intentions after all. Last night the Monsieur Grue came to see me, it seems we have a problem with moving the Ol' Girl, a boat that had the intention to have left is blocking the exit of the Ol' Girl, very frustrating. So here we remain for a couple more days, until the situation can be resolved, which I am told will be on Wednesday, that's the new intention. Despite being a little disappointed at the delay, as today the wind is blowing in the right direction for me, I must confess it is cold and there is heavy rain, not exactly comfortable going. Tomorrow night storms are expected and the following day no wind but possibly heavy swells, I shall have to wait and see. The next few days will entail saying hello to all the people I said goodbye to and saying goodbye and fond farewell for the second time to everyone yet again. The Ol' Girl wont mind too much about anything it's me that has to be careful. I am sure I have more faith in her than she in me, especially if it's cold and there is compromised visibility on this beautiful yet tricky Brittany coastline. As a single-handed novice I prefer to have as many things as possible running in my favour without any kind of racing mentality, something that on occasion would possibly put a smirk on the Ol' Girls face,
a. if she had a face.
and
b. if she were at all sentient.
On a completely different tack, this heavy rain has allowed me to find the source of an extremely annoying small leak in the forecabin, it's location was, I am pleased to say, a faulty seal on the chain locker hatch. Yahoo, no more damp pillows. (STEADY!)
well they are just intentions after all. Last night the Monsieur Grue came to see me, it seems we have a problem with moving the Ol' Girl, a boat that had the intention to have left is blocking the exit of the Ol' Girl, very frustrating. So here we remain for a couple more days, until the situation can be resolved, which I am told will be on Wednesday, that's the new intention. Despite being a little disappointed at the delay, as today the wind is blowing in the right direction for me, I must confess it is cold and there is heavy rain, not exactly comfortable going. Tomorrow night storms are expected and the following day no wind but possibly heavy swells, I shall have to wait and see. The next few days will entail saying hello to all the people I said goodbye to and saying goodbye and fond farewell for the second time to everyone yet again. The Ol' Girl wont mind too much about anything it's me that has to be careful. I am sure I have more faith in her than she in me, especially if it's cold and there is compromised visibility on this beautiful yet tricky Brittany coastline. As a single-handed novice I prefer to have as many things as possible running in my favour without any kind of racing mentality, something that on occasion would possibly put a smirk on the Ol' Girls face,
a. if she had a face.
and
b. if she were at all sentient.
On a completely different tack, this heavy rain has allowed me to find the source of an extremely annoying small leak in the forecabin, it's location was, I am pleased to say, a faulty seal on the chain locker hatch. Yahoo, no more damp pillows. (STEADY!)
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Get Off
Ahoy,
well the Ol' Girl and me leave tomorrow, a little later than was the intention, this is the way these things go. I am a little sad to say good bye to all the fine people I have met, I think the Ol' Girl will be glad to get out to where there is more water! When I checked my available data, it said that tomorrow there would be little wind, now it looks as though there will be around 24 Knots, a slightly different forecast, we should make a better time and use less fuel. If all goes according to plan I will be anchored up in L'Aber Wrach around tea time enjoying a light meal and some rest. This of course is just 1 option as if the wind drops a little the Ol' Girl and me will push on to Le Chat, a small bay about an hour and a half before Brest, after the Chenal de Four. This is all there is time for today as I still have plenty to do, looking forward to summarising the trip in my next post.
well the Ol' Girl and me leave tomorrow, a little later than was the intention, this is the way these things go. I am a little sad to say good bye to all the fine people I have met, I think the Ol' Girl will be glad to get out to where there is more water! When I checked my available data, it said that tomorrow there would be little wind, now it looks as though there will be around 24 Knots, a slightly different forecast, we should make a better time and use less fuel. If all goes according to plan I will be anchored up in L'Aber Wrach around tea time enjoying a light meal and some rest. This of course is just 1 option as if the wind drops a little the Ol' Girl and me will push on to Le Chat, a small bay about an hour and a half before Brest, after the Chenal de Four. This is all there is time for today as I still have plenty to do, looking forward to summarising the trip in my next post.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Bucky Lugger
Ahoy,
do you ever wake up and think to yourself how lucky can I be? When the Ol' Girl and me first arrived, a little dejected as we were under tow, one of the first people I met was the Commandant de Port, Philippe Le Jannou, of course at the time this was a surprise to all of us. The Ol' Girl and Me because we did not expect to be towed into a commercial port surrounded by very large boats and ships as well as a gigantic ferry and the Commandant looking down at the Ol' Girl, who looked very small and ill fitting, rafted to a large steel scientific boat of some sort. Since then I have enjoyed coffee and maybe the odd beer in the smaller port with Philippe and to be frank the pleasure of not only meeting with, dining with, and getting along with his family too. What it is to be an outsider and possibly one could say a slightly bizarre outsider, to be made to feel so welcome, whilst being in a very pretty house by a real fire with good food and company, when away from ones own family certainly raises the spirit. Last night was one of these occasions, we met in Le Winch Pub for an aperitif of beer and some smoked sardine's and then retired to theirs with a couple of friends for dinner, beautifully cooked by Philippe's charming wife Viviane. If such an evening doesn't make someone feel lucky enough as it is, an act of quite extraordinary generosity left me speechless, not an easy thing when my vocal cords are wet, the gift of this years Reeds Nautical Almanac. Absolutely incredible, almost spooky as I had only that morning been complaining to a chum in England that I did not have this years copy of Reeds and that I doubted I could lay my hands on one before having a bash at the Chenal de Four and would probably have to rely on a French Almanac, which I would not enjoy as my understanding of French is atrocious. So this is why on waking and looking over at the opposite bunk and spying my brand new Reeds almanac I asked myself how lucky can you be. This is one of those things that puts a spring in your step and a smile on your face, of course with me the spring has a slight wobble but it's a spring all the same.
do you ever wake up and think to yourself how lucky can I be? When the Ol' Girl and me first arrived, a little dejected as we were under tow, one of the first people I met was the Commandant de Port, Philippe Le Jannou, of course at the time this was a surprise to all of us. The Ol' Girl and Me because we did not expect to be towed into a commercial port surrounded by very large boats and ships as well as a gigantic ferry and the Commandant looking down at the Ol' Girl, who looked very small and ill fitting, rafted to a large steel scientific boat of some sort. Since then I have enjoyed coffee and maybe the odd beer in the smaller port with Philippe and to be frank the pleasure of not only meeting with, dining with, and getting along with his family too. What it is to be an outsider and possibly one could say a slightly bizarre outsider, to be made to feel so welcome, whilst being in a very pretty house by a real fire with good food and company, when away from ones own family certainly raises the spirit. Last night was one of these occasions, we met in Le Winch Pub for an aperitif of beer and some smoked sardine's and then retired to theirs with a couple of friends for dinner, beautifully cooked by Philippe's charming wife Viviane. If such an evening doesn't make someone feel lucky enough as it is, an act of quite extraordinary generosity left me speechless, not an easy thing when my vocal cords are wet, the gift of this years Reeds Nautical Almanac. Absolutely incredible, almost spooky as I had only that morning been complaining to a chum in England that I did not have this years copy of Reeds and that I doubted I could lay my hands on one before having a bash at the Chenal de Four and would probably have to rely on a French Almanac, which I would not enjoy as my understanding of French is atrocious. So this is why on waking and looking over at the opposite bunk and spying my brand new Reeds almanac I asked myself how lucky can you be. This is one of those things that puts a spring in your step and a smile on your face, of course with me the spring has a slight wobble but it's a spring all the same.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Dingy Dangly?
Ahoy,
well the Dingy's not lashed to the pushpit anymore, its stowed in the forecabin, where I think it will stay until I can decide what to do with it next.It's taking up more space than I would like, having said this, everything takes up more space than I would like on the Ol' girl. I am currently going over my charts and pilotage books for where I would like to anchor, despite there being many pretty bays, right now I think I will stop for the night either in L'Aber Wrach or L'Aber Benoit the former having much better facilities including a chart agent, which makes it very appealing, (you can't av too many charts!) the Ol' girl could do with some more detailed pilotage notes on North and South Biscay. Despite this I would like to go to L'Aber Benoit, from the information I have it looks like an unspoilt beautiful estuary with some deep water anchorage and a few local shops. I must be sensible though and the detailed information on the Bay is crucial for a little peace of mind, if I decide to go into the Bay of Biscay after all. It should take around 6 hours for an experienced sailor to get from Roscoff to L'Aber Wrach, so with this in mind that's probably around 7 or 8 for me and the Ol' girl, leaving at 8.30am we hope to make it for a little before 5pm, plenty of time to have some Bully Beef and Tatties, shame I'm out of pickle and an early night. Then up early, a petti noir and a look in the chart agents before pushing off to Brest or Camaret-sur-Mer.As for my little grumble those that know me could have predicted I may have had a couple of drinks last night and despite what most people tend to feel I feel much better for it,I even made it to the local market nice and early this morning, for some excellent Brittany pork sausages which I had for lunch with onion and mustard gravy and fresh brown bread, superb. Now can I stay off the sauce, of course I can, I promised a friend I would, much safer that way and I tried sailing with a hangover once, never again. Of course it's not quite so simple, I keep a dry boat so to speak when at sea so there is no temptation, however, last night I picked up a couple of bottles of a very fine drink called Pommeau, made from Calvados and apple juice, aged in oak barrels, it's only around 17% but they are big bottles and it's easy drinking. They come by way of a local magician with such things from the Brasserie Kerav'Ale, thanks Jean-Yves.
well the Dingy's not lashed to the pushpit anymore, its stowed in the forecabin, where I think it will stay until I can decide what to do with it next.It's taking up more space than I would like, having said this, everything takes up more space than I would like on the Ol' girl. I am currently going over my charts and pilotage books for where I would like to anchor, despite there being many pretty bays, right now I think I will stop for the night either in L'Aber Wrach or L'Aber Benoit the former having much better facilities including a chart agent, which makes it very appealing, (you can't av too many charts!) the Ol' girl could do with some more detailed pilotage notes on North and South Biscay. Despite this I would like to go to L'Aber Benoit, from the information I have it looks like an unspoilt beautiful estuary with some deep water anchorage and a few local shops. I must be sensible though and the detailed information on the Bay is crucial for a little peace of mind, if I decide to go into the Bay of Biscay after all. It should take around 6 hours for an experienced sailor to get from Roscoff to L'Aber Wrach, so with this in mind that's probably around 7 or 8 for me and the Ol' girl, leaving at 8.30am we hope to make it for a little before 5pm, plenty of time to have some Bully Beef and Tatties, shame I'm out of pickle and an early night. Then up early, a petti noir and a look in the chart agents before pushing off to Brest or Camaret-sur-Mer.As for my little grumble those that know me could have predicted I may have had a couple of drinks last night and despite what most people tend to feel I feel much better for it,I even made it to the local market nice and early this morning, for some excellent Brittany pork sausages which I had for lunch with onion and mustard gravy and fresh brown bread, superb. Now can I stay off the sauce, of course I can, I promised a friend I would, much safer that way and I tried sailing with a hangover once, never again. Of course it's not quite so simple, I keep a dry boat so to speak when at sea so there is no temptation, however, last night I picked up a couple of bottles of a very fine drink called Pommeau, made from Calvados and apple juice, aged in oak barrels, it's only around 17% but they are big bottles and it's easy drinking. They come by way of a local magician with such things from the Brasserie Kerav'Ale, thanks Jean-Yves.
Grumpy
Ahoy,
I feel I need to have a grumble, even though I should be in fine fettle. Having just paid my dry dock fee's, which were very agreeable, I realise that from now on everything will be so much more expensive. I understand there are limited moorings and berths for boats and the golden age of boaties passed a long time ago but it still makes my blood boil that the Ol' girl is cheaper to live on in some car park, than in the water where she is meant to be. I reckon all of you experienced seafarers will scoff at this, citing that at anchor there are no charges, yes I agree, however as I have said before this has its own costs.As a novice I would need to stay with her for one cycle of tides to make sure the anchor has bitten well enough to feel confident in going ashore in the tender(tender my a..e, dingy!), which I still have deflated and lashed to the pullpit. Do I hear another smirk, are those with plenty of experience asking why it is not already inflated and bobbing along merrily behind me, a good question I don't know the answer to yet. If it is off the stern, then surely this causes drag, which in turn slows each passage and the Ol' girl despite being strong and seaworthy didn't start out being a racer, let alone having to contend with any extra drag.So at anchor I lose between 2 to 4 days just to take on water, food and back up radio weather forecasts and the luxury of viewing my Emails.I am hoping this is just me the novice and as time passes 'kicking the hook over' will feel more natural and less demanding.Having no experience of the different types of berths, I am presuming some may allow, lets say up to 4 or 5 hours just to take on fuel, water, bread and the like before there is a charge.The amount I HAVE to learn is more exhausting than the sailing, that's my grumble over with, just as well the Ol' girl can't put her 2 Penny worth in, for my sake as well as yours!!!
I feel I need to have a grumble, even though I should be in fine fettle. Having just paid my dry dock fee's, which were very agreeable, I realise that from now on everything will be so much more expensive. I understand there are limited moorings and berths for boats and the golden age of boaties passed a long time ago but it still makes my blood boil that the Ol' girl is cheaper to live on in some car park, than in the water where she is meant to be. I reckon all of you experienced seafarers will scoff at this, citing that at anchor there are no charges, yes I agree, however as I have said before this has its own costs.As a novice I would need to stay with her for one cycle of tides to make sure the anchor has bitten well enough to feel confident in going ashore in the tender(tender my a..e, dingy!), which I still have deflated and lashed to the pullpit. Do I hear another smirk, are those with plenty of experience asking why it is not already inflated and bobbing along merrily behind me, a good question I don't know the answer to yet. If it is off the stern, then surely this causes drag, which in turn slows each passage and the Ol' girl despite being strong and seaworthy didn't start out being a racer, let alone having to contend with any extra drag.So at anchor I lose between 2 to 4 days just to take on water, food and back up radio weather forecasts and the luxury of viewing my Emails.I am hoping this is just me the novice and as time passes 'kicking the hook over' will feel more natural and less demanding.Having no experience of the different types of berths, I am presuming some may allow, lets say up to 4 or 5 hours just to take on fuel, water, bread and the like before there is a charge.The amount I HAVE to learn is more exhausting than the sailing, that's my grumble over with, just as well the Ol' girl can't put her 2 Penny worth in, for my sake as well as yours!!!
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Ol' Girl Got A Big Butt Today
Ahoy,
the days are getting stranger, or maybe I am getting stranger the closer it gets to us leaving. The Ol' girl is brushing up well and some of the odd jobs have finally been struck off the list, mainly trim and varnish, I have however reinforced the mounts to the windlass, they seemed like they needed it and I would not want it leaving the foredeck. Also she has been anti-fouled with Neptune Neptal 2000 in black. Of course I have never heard of this, something that my friends in Poole will probably have a little smile over, and maybe a bacon sandwich and a cuppa. Talking of which I'm out of bloody Yorkshire Tea. It looks as though I can get a lift with the crane on Monday the 27th of April, me and the Ol' girl get to be on our way, at last, it's been a long time coming. I still have some reservations when it comes to 'kicking the hook over the side' as my only practise to date is an afternoon tea at anchor with the rest of the class on my RYA practical, a little different to having a bash on your own for the first time, still the RYA and my Lagoon Water sports instructor did a good job, so lets hope I took some of it on board.
Oh, My Oats
Ahoy,
I looked in my English French dictionary to find the word for Porridge, it reckons it's Porridge, I have a feeling it's not going to be so simple. Rarely after 20 minutes of search on Google am I still getting nowhere, yet as I searched and searched I could not find an original sailors recipe for Burgoo, plenty of modern American recipe's but alas, no mid 1700 versions, I think it hales that far back. Maybe I will have better luck today. Why the fascination with Burgoo you may ask; Some of you may have heard of Tristan Jones, a legendary Welsh sailor and adventurer,a friend lent me one of his books when I set off on my little adventure, his tales have fascinated me since and so has his loyalty to this Burgoo mix. If you ever get the chance I recommend Saga of the Wayward sailor, a delightful read. I was thinking that I would make my Burgoo with beef jerky, oats and schnapps, a real recipe as reference would be of some comfort and I am sure it is normally made with fish scraps. Well I would have done if the supermarket in the local Town had either Schnapps or beef jerky, time to think of a new recipe. Maybe dry smoked mackerel, calvados and oats?!?I will let you know what it tastes like, that's as long as it cures me and doesn't....
I looked in my English French dictionary to find the word for Porridge, it reckons it's Porridge, I have a feeling it's not going to be so simple. Rarely after 20 minutes of search on Google am I still getting nowhere, yet as I searched and searched I could not find an original sailors recipe for Burgoo, plenty of modern American recipe's but alas, no mid 1700 versions, I think it hales that far back. Maybe I will have better luck today. Why the fascination with Burgoo you may ask; Some of you may have heard of Tristan Jones, a legendary Welsh sailor and adventurer,a friend lent me one of his books when I set off on my little adventure, his tales have fascinated me since and so has his loyalty to this Burgoo mix. If you ever get the chance I recommend Saga of the Wayward sailor, a delightful read. I was thinking that I would make my Burgoo with beef jerky, oats and schnapps, a real recipe as reference would be of some comfort and I am sure it is normally made with fish scraps. Well I would have done if the supermarket in the local Town had either Schnapps or beef jerky, time to think of a new recipe. Maybe dry smoked mackerel, calvados and oats?!?I will let you know what it tastes like, that's as long as it cures me and doesn't....
Friday, April 17, 2009
It's In The Jeans
Ahoy,am I alone in these thoughts on what it is like for an Englishman on limited funds in France at the moment. From what I can make out, rent here is very reasonable and so are some foods, however unless we are really talking basics, food is actually more expensive in the supermarkets here than in the UK, except prawns. Add to this the Pound crashing against the Euro and you have a fantastic recipe for a diet. Thankfully wine still manages to be very competitive and according to BBC Radio News, high in calories. Talking of competitive prices, if you know any fisherman in France, they can buy products in the Chandlers tax free, something I am sure I will look into at some point. No red diesel for private boat owners here, however, they do sell different types of diesel for fishing boats, private boats and heating. Although the prices at the Petrol station seem to compete with these, so the Ol' girl has been filled up with many trips to the local garage with 30L drums.
We had hail here today and a little rain, glad I had not started finishing the anti-foul. I did however make a cover for the windlass out of an old pair of jeans. I am sure it will make her look even more tramp'ish, bet it works though and that's the important bit. I would like to waterproof it, think I will Google home made waterproofing agents.
Another thing I'll Google while I'm at it, is Burgoo, a sailors dish of oats, fish and schnapps, I hope it tastes better than it sounds. I will give you a critic once I have tasted it!
We had hail here today and a little rain, glad I had not started finishing the anti-foul. I did however make a cover for the windlass out of an old pair of jeans. I am sure it will make her look even more tramp'ish, bet it works though and that's the important bit. I would like to waterproof it, think I will Google home made waterproofing agents.
Another thing I'll Google while I'm at it, is Burgoo, a sailors dish of oats, fish and schnapps, I hope it tastes better than it sounds. I will give you a critic once I have tasted it!
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Not Nickelarse
Ahoy,
the sun is out and things seem to be moving forwards. I have exchanged a little knowledge on GPS wiring for some excellent International Anti-foul.If your interested the snazzy racing one, the one that looks all copper coloured before it turns black. Having applied a wire brush then acid to the rust, a healthy coat of Primacon and now this VC17 m, I am very pleased with her keel. As I have said before she is an old girl, but a good girl, the engine is well and happy and so is the stern gear and gearbox. All tanks are full and her batteries are fully charged. Once I have Anti- fouled the rest of the hull we are ready to leave. (a little revision on this Brittany coastline) It will be a day of mixed emotion, as the Roscofvites have treated us both well and I have eaten some of the most beautiful food at the hospitality of others, whilst meeting some very kind and genuine people.
the sun is out and things seem to be moving forwards. I have exchanged a little knowledge on GPS wiring for some excellent International Anti-foul.If your interested the snazzy racing one, the one that looks all copper coloured before it turns black. Having applied a wire brush then acid to the rust, a healthy coat of Primacon and now this VC17 m, I am very pleased with her keel. As I have said before she is an old girl, but a good girl, the engine is well and happy and so is the stern gear and gearbox. All tanks are full and her batteries are fully charged. Once I have Anti- fouled the rest of the hull we are ready to leave. (a little revision on this Brittany coastline) It will be a day of mixed emotion, as the Roscofvites have treated us both well and I have eaten some of the most beautiful food at the hospitality of others, whilst meeting some very kind and genuine people.
What do I do next, what I want to do against the advice of far better sailors than myself is take an opposing curve to the bay of Biscay, out into the Atlantic heading for Vigo, northern Spain. The advice I have been given is to head into the Bay and make day passages all the way round. This sounds like sound advice to me as I have no experience as yet on blue water sailing, on the other hand, one day will always be my first day and instinct counts for.......
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Ahoy,
from the beginning this was never going to be easy, this I knew. However, trying something new always drags a bit till you get the hang of it, this I was prepared for. She may be an old Ketch and I may have no history of sailing, other than my rudimentary exams, and the distance I covered last year, no matter, sailing is a new found joy and a challenge doesn't have to kill you.
Now it seems I have another major challenge to contend with too, my finances are such that I have around £35.00 a week to live on, so now I have to learn how to be survivalist too. A crippled Ray Mears on a big sea, trying to catch my supper. Thankfully I like fish, not sure yet about seaweed. If anyone has any ideas on what to do about carbs, please let me know.
Well the old girl is nearly ready to go back to the water, once in, I think it will be a long time before life feels comfortable again. I had planned on mooring either at the odd pontoon when I felt like a rest or occasionally to a buoy( I will never feel comfortable with that phrase, too much city life) now it seems it will all be at anchor, not only something I have very little experience in, something which sounds much more constraining and tiring.
The better aspect to this is that I will become even more acclimatised to living on the Sea and hopefully prove to myself if not others that all of life's trials and stitches are working towards my goal; performing surgery on even the most premature and disadvantaged of children need not spell out their fate for the worse.
Of course I have no idea how I am to continue these posts once we are back in the water, I hope that wherever I seek refuge at anchor this machine will pick up free WiFi points, heho it's still 9 days away so time for plenty more thoughts, these words from my head.
from the beginning this was never going to be easy, this I knew. However, trying something new always drags a bit till you get the hang of it, this I was prepared for. She may be an old Ketch and I may have no history of sailing, other than my rudimentary exams, and the distance I covered last year, no matter, sailing is a new found joy and a challenge doesn't have to kill you.
Now it seems I have another major challenge to contend with too, my finances are such that I have around £35.00 a week to live on, so now I have to learn how to be survivalist too. A crippled Ray Mears on a big sea, trying to catch my supper. Thankfully I like fish, not sure yet about seaweed. If anyone has any ideas on what to do about carbs, please let me know.
Well the old girl is nearly ready to go back to the water, once in, I think it will be a long time before life feels comfortable again. I had planned on mooring either at the odd pontoon when I felt like a rest or occasionally to a buoy( I will never feel comfortable with that phrase, too much city life) now it seems it will all be at anchor, not only something I have very little experience in, something which sounds much more constraining and tiring.
The better aspect to this is that I will become even more acclimatised to living on the Sea and hopefully prove to myself if not others that all of life's trials and stitches are working towards my goal; performing surgery on even the most premature and disadvantaged of children need not spell out their fate for the worse.
Of course I have no idea how I am to continue these posts once we are back in the water, I hope that wherever I seek refuge at anchor this machine will pick up free WiFi points, heho it's still 9 days away so time for plenty more thoughts, these words from my head.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
My first true blog.
Dear everybody,
I have never blogged before, as they say in health promotions that is no excuse.
I am a 39 year old disabled man, disabled in a look at the expression on the midwives face kind of disabled, who has decided to try and sail single handed from the UK to the Caribbean with very little, make that, No experience in an old Westerly just to prove that the surgery that I undertook as a child was money not wasted.
Thankfully a few company's have supplied some much needed equipment(I'll talk about that a bit more later) and so far nothing has broken. Well my gearbox broke due to something in the water but that was insured.
I left last year late in the season from Poole and made it all the way to Roscoff when I lost my bottle to tackle the Bay of Biscay at that time of year and decided to wait till now and have another bash.
As I have already said the only experience I have is passing my Tidal Day Skipper with the RYA and buying the Westerly with the last of my compensation money, and that's a story for another day too.
If anyone out there knows of cheap, free, sympathetic moorings I hope they will let me know.
I have never blogged before, as they say in health promotions that is no excuse.
I am a 39 year old disabled man, disabled in a look at the expression on the midwives face kind of disabled, who has decided to try and sail single handed from the UK to the Caribbean with very little, make that, No experience in an old Westerly just to prove that the surgery that I undertook as a child was money not wasted.
Thankfully a few company's have supplied some much needed equipment(I'll talk about that a bit more later) and so far nothing has broken. Well my gearbox broke due to something in the water but that was insured.
I left last year late in the season from Poole and made it all the way to Roscoff when I lost my bottle to tackle the Bay of Biscay at that time of year and decided to wait till now and have another bash.
As I have already said the only experience I have is passing my Tidal Day Skipper with the RYA and buying the Westerly with the last of my compensation money, and that's a story for another day too.
If anyone out there knows of cheap, free, sympathetic moorings I hope they will let me know.
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