Monday 19th of August.
We left Dieppe at 08.20 on Monday - sunny but with a forecast of wind @ force 4 to 5 reducing to 3 in the afternoon.
The SW going current was due to start at 11.30 so that's when we left - a bit overcast and blowing.
We had the wind directly on the nose as we made our way out to about 2 miles off the coast then we turned to port a bit and sailed - full sail sheeted in with the engine on as well - we flew!!
It was quite lumpy with wind against tide kicking up short sharp waves but Blazer loved it.
The wind picked up to 20 / 25 knots - bottom end of a force 6 !!
We made fast progress and when I thought we could manage - we turned the engine off and Jackie trailed a fishing line with a mackerel feather - and caught a mackerel!!!
Off we went again in bright sunshine - trying to fish twice more with the line and the rod but nothing.
We were into Fecamp at about 17.15 - both very tired again!!!
We cooked masses of mussels in tomato,onions and garlic - with fresh French bread and wine plus a little fresh mackerel fried in olive oil.
Quite a day.
Mike and Jackie Smethurst.
Tuesday, 20 August 2013
Saturday, 17 August 2013
Onward to Dieppe
LFriday 16th and Saturday 17th August 2013.
I have had a struggle to get connected - just managed it through a dongle on the boat computer .
Friday - we set off about 08.20 for Dieppe - 54 miles - a long one.
We had the option of stopping at Le Tuquet but it dries out with the tide and was high and dry when we got there and we both felt good about pressing on - it was only 12.00 ish.
Stopped and tried fishing with the mackerel tackle - nothing.
A fine and sunny morning with the wind on our nose - so motoring hard with a bit of help from the sails.
The wind went round to South West and we flew - the tide helped and we were doing 7 knots for ages - WOW !!
Then we got tired - the tide went against us - the wind came round onto the nose - we plodded and plodded under engine for hours - it was lumpy - just to make it worse with a bit of drizzle thrown in.
We arrived at Dieppe at nearly 20.00 - Jackie not a happy bunny !!
Dieppe is an expensive marina at 28 Euros per night -( Bolougne 18 Euros).
Saturday dawned bright and sunny - we sorted ourselves out and went shopping!!
The massive local market was in full swing - we really enjoyed it - but Jackie was stunned at the high prices compared to Spanish markets.
A coffee watching the crowds was good.
I bought oysters for lunch and whelks for tea with small Sole fish and fresh green beans - wonderful.
We had a great lunch in hot sunshine in the cockpit and chatted with our neighbours from France.
Peter and Mariejosie
We invited them to visit Blazer at 6 pm then went off to the beach - thousands of people on the beach which stretched for miles and lots in the sea too.
All pebbles but we laid out and snoozed for an hour in hot sunshine - lovely.
There was a grass area set up as a world war one American Army camp with a collection of vehicles which looked like they were new!!
All the people were in period dress - even the local girls!!
It was all part of an annual tribute to the Canadian liberation forces that landed on the Dieppe beach on 19th of August 1942 - 550 soldiers died that day !!!
There was a great funfair set up on the grass area of the promenade with what looked like show jumping and other entertainments - Dieppe tries hard in August..
Drinks with our neighbours was great and they know this coast well and gave us help to sort out shorter legs for our journey to Guernsey.
They gave us booklets for Alderney and Guernsey with tips for handling the fierce tides round there.
We had tea - Jackie loved the Sole - and then walked out around town looking at all the nice restaurants full of holiday makers.
A good day !!
The plan is to stay here Sunday ( high wind) then set off for Fecamp - 6 / 7 hours - on monday.
The wind should be good then and it will speed us up a bit.
Sunday 18th August
We spent the day walking around town - stripping woodwork on Blazer and oiling it - Jackie was sewing and sunbathing.
In the evening we visited our neighbours boat for evening drinks - lovely - all in hot sunshine.
Mike and Jackie Smethurst.
I have had a struggle to get connected - just managed it through a dongle on the boat computer .
Friday - we set off about 08.20 for Dieppe - 54 miles - a long one.
We had the option of stopping at Le Tuquet but it dries out with the tide and was high and dry when we got there and we both felt good about pressing on - it was only 12.00 ish.
Stopped and tried fishing with the mackerel tackle - nothing.
A fine and sunny morning with the wind on our nose - so motoring hard with a bit of help from the sails.
The wind went round to South West and we flew - the tide helped and we were doing 7 knots for ages - WOW !!
Then we got tired - the tide went against us - the wind came round onto the nose - we plodded and plodded under engine for hours - it was lumpy - just to make it worse with a bit of drizzle thrown in.
We arrived at Dieppe at nearly 20.00 - Jackie not a happy bunny !!
Dieppe is an expensive marina at 28 Euros per night -( Bolougne 18 Euros).
Saturday dawned bright and sunny - we sorted ourselves out and went shopping!!
The massive local market was in full swing - we really enjoyed it - but Jackie was stunned at the high prices compared to Spanish markets.
A coffee watching the crowds was good.
I bought oysters for lunch and whelks for tea with small Sole fish and fresh green beans - wonderful.
We had a great lunch in hot sunshine in the cockpit and chatted with our neighbours from France.
We invited them to visit Blazer at 6 pm then went off to the beach - thousands of people on the beach which stretched for miles and lots in the sea too.
All pebbles but we laid out and snoozed for an hour in hot sunshine - lovely.
There was a grass area set up as a world war one American Army camp with a collection of vehicles which looked like they were new!!
All the people were in period dress - even the local girls!!
It was all part of an annual tribute to the Canadian liberation forces that landed on the Dieppe beach on 19th of August 1942 - 550 soldiers died that day !!!
There was a great funfair set up on the grass area of the promenade with what looked like show jumping and other entertainments - Dieppe tries hard in August..
Drinks with our neighbours was great and they know this coast well and gave us help to sort out shorter legs for our journey to Guernsey.
They gave us booklets for Alderney and Guernsey with tips for handling the fierce tides round there.
We had tea - Jackie loved the Sole - and then walked out around town looking at all the nice restaurants full of holiday makers.
A good day !!
The plan is to stay here Sunday ( high wind) then set off for Fecamp - 6 / 7 hours - on monday.
The wind should be good then and it will speed us up a bit.
Sunday 18th August
We spent the day walking around town - stripping woodwork on Blazer and oiling it - Jackie was sewing and sunbathing.
In the evening we visited our neighbours boat for evening drinks - lovely - all in hot sunshine.
Mike and Jackie Smethurst.
Thursday, 15 August 2013
Bolougne
Wednesday 14th August 2013
Wednesday morning was hot and sunny with little or no wind - we planned to explore the town and do a little shopping but when we checked the weather forecast for Thursday it gave force 5 with occasional 6 !!!
We decided to leave straight away and forfeit the next nights charges ( not easy to get refunds).
We motored out in company with a fleet of racing yachts all serious machines - they headed south as we headed for the Gull channel inside the notorious Goodwin sands sandbank.
The sea was smooth all the way to Deal and was comfy until we reached the shipping lanes where it became a bit lumpy but not too bad.
We had to run parallel to the traffic until two very big ships passed - then we had a good run across - aiming a bit West of the compulsory right angle crossing to keep the wind in the sails and make a course past Cap Gris Nez - the headland which is the nearest point to England.
We made a good course around the headland and passed a motor boat escorting a channel swimmer!
We eased the sheets and flew along south although the tide was now against us for the run down to Bolougne - Jackie decided to trail a fishing line - but we were doing 5.5 knots with no engine !
She caught a fish !!
But the poor little thing was being dragged through the water so fast that it was pulled off the hook and gone !
We arrived in Bolougne at about 6 pm and crashed out after tea - cream crackered.
Thursday 15th August 2013
A bit overcast this morning - so a leisurely start and a nice continental breakfast.
Shopping in the Carefore supermarket and then the famous Bolougne fish market - heaven !!
We cooked our live seafood in the massive pot that we keep on board for the job - then went for a walk up to the old walled part of town but found all the shops were closed - strange.
It was a local holiday for a fete !
We waited and waited for the precession to start then gave up and went back to the marina for tea.
Then we heard all the marching bands parading around the town for the massive crowds that turned out.
Just what we love - eating !!
A seafood extravaganza with G&T and wine - fresh French bread and a fruit merange desert.
After tea we walked to the beach and sat with a beer in the last of the sunshine - glorious.
As we walked back through the park we came across a music festival with quite good music - lovely.
Quite a day!!
Mike and Jackie Smethurst,
Wednesday, 14 August 2013
Ramsgate
Tuesday - 13th August 2013
Gunfleet wind farm in the distance.
After a pieceful night at anchor in the Roach - up at 06.00 - off at 08.20.
Wind from the west and at the most 15 knots - perfect.
A cool breeze needed Jackies new waterproofs as we negotiated the Whitaker channel avoiding the Cross Rail muck ship on the way.
All sail and a bit of engine saw 7 knots over the ground - flying.
I left the mainsail tucked up in it's bag all winter and this was the first airing.
As we hoisted it - a full birds nest and piles of dry leaves came out but no birds - luckily.
No damage done.
We crossed the Sunk Sand sandbank with 2 metres under the keel - spot on.
As we approached the London array wind farm we had to cross the shipping lane and it was busy.
I couldn't work out which way a tanker was turning until it turned directly towards us!!!
Five blasts from his hooter meant - I am unsure of your intentions - but really meant - get out of my way!!!
We turned into the wind and hove to until he had passed - there is a first time for everything - Whoops.
The sails were keeping the sun off the cockpit so Jackie caught some sun on the foredeck as we sped South towards the Thames proper.
Jackie kept a proper log every hour - as you should - but a first for me.
The sun went in and clouds formed as we passed North foreland - we took a more inshore track to save time.
Past Broadstairs and then Ramsgate was in sight.
We were in the marina by - about 5.30 - poor instructions from the marina office over the radio saw us looking for our allotted berth up a dead end.
Luckily no wind and a reasonable space saw a perfect about turn and a kind chap helped us find our way to berth C12.
It turns out that it's Ramsgate week with the marina jammed with visiting yachts - some very special racing machines that must fly like muck off a shovel ( a racing term)
We were lucky to find a berth - but at £26 per night - OUCH!!
A rolly night with creeky ropes - but we were tired out and crashed out.
We have booked 2 nights here to show Jackie the delights of Ramsgate ( there might be some)
Then next stop France !!!
Mike &Jackie Smethurst.
Monday, 12 August 2013
We are off!!!
Monday 12th August.
Yes we are on the move - the travel hoist - driven by Toby Lester - picked up Blazer at 15.30 and off we trundled to the launch ramp.
Barely walking pace we slowly navigated past the other yachts - a job they do every day,
but nerve wracking for us!
Held in the slings - she is reversed into the water with great precision.
The dory boat was waiting to strap to the side of Blazer and take her to the pontoon.
I asked if I could check out the stern gland for leaks once she was afloat - no problem.
Off we went to the pontoon - afloat again after 6 months ashore!!
Once we were on the pontoon we checked out the engine, which started straight away, and then we ran the prop which I knew was a bit tight in the new cutless bearing but no problem - sweet as a nut.
With about 5 hours of daylight left - we decided to head off straight away and anchor in the river Roach overnight to give us a head start in the morning if the weather looked OK then.
A lovely run down with Jackie on the tiller saw us anchored at about 6 pm.
The anchor set first time in 6 meters of water at the anchorage in company with two other boats away in the distance.
After a hearty tea of the left over stew - livened up with a dash of curry powder - we fitted the foresail in a brief window were the wind dropped to nothing.
OK - now the plan came together - we would have enough water to get over the Sunk Sand sandbank after mid day so an 8 o'clock start will be good with light westerly winds should see us sailing most of the way to Ramsgate. - ALL SET.
Sunday, 11 August 2013
Job lists and more lists
All the jobs on the under water parts are now done and looking good.
The job lists are still expanding a bit but with two of us knocking them off - we are winning.
Down below is looking very tidy now - ship shape.
Jackie has finished the painting of the wash basin and wardrobe area.
Much better- just a bit of silicone needed around the basin now.
A hearty beef stew and dumplings for tea today and probably tomorrow - lovely - with fresh bread.
Followed by my favourite - bread and butter pudding with custard - WOW!!
Launching Monday at about 4 pm - to be sure the launching ramp has enough water to float Blazer- then we can fit the fore sail and check her out - sailing.
Jobs for Monday -
Top up the starboard battery bank.
Fill the reserve fuel cans.
Double check that the stern gland is nipped up just right.
Swap the calor gas bottle - so we have a spare - we do have camping gaz as a back up but it's expensive - but all you can get in France.
Stow Jackie's folding bike in the pilot berth- (thanks Zoie).
Re oil and fit the tiller - a little last minute job!
Plan the route to Ramsgate - checking the weather and tides - we have a sand bank to cross as we turn South at the mouth of the river Crouch - we might have to make a very early start to cross that and arrive at Ramsgate in daylight - always a good idea.
The trip will take about 10 hours if we start from the river Roach anchorage - 2 hours down river from here.
Spending time at anchor is good to get your sea legs.
We can't wait to get going.
Mike & Jackie Smethurst.
Saturday, 10 August 2013
Blazer Trail 2013
Sunday 11th August 2013
We travelled down on Thursday and found Blazer to be in good shape after 5 months of neglect.
A bit scruffy - bird poo and little spiders all over but dry and sound - sat on her blocks in the storage compound.
The tasks that we needed to do before launching have now been done -
Anti foul the hull
Fit the new cutless bearing.
Fit the shaft and prop.
The radar was also not working and I hoped to take a look inside the radome from a ladder!!
This was a great success - the ladder was well short but with Jackie on the winch and me in my very old sit harness - I managed to get the radome top off and found the array to be stiff to rotate.
A bit of 3 in one oil and - sorted!!
To get a better look and refit the cover Nigel winched me up a bit to sit on the spreaders - comfy!!
I am so pleased - that would have been so expensive if I got the professionals involved.
Launching booked for Monday about 3 pm - (tides)
Jackie is painting the washroom area to brighten it up - 2nd coat today.
We also want to clean the deck and sort the green algae on the spray hood today.
Nigel is coming to dinner tonight - beef stew - lovely.
2 pages of little jobs and we will be ready for off.
We aim to go down the river to the river Roach on Tuesday ready for a very early start Wednesday for the trip to Ramsgate.
Mike and Jackie Smethurst.
We travelled down on Thursday and found Blazer to be in good shape after 5 months of neglect.
A bit scruffy - bird poo and little spiders all over but dry and sound - sat on her blocks in the storage compound.
The tasks that we needed to do before launching have now been done -
Anti foul the hull
Fit the new cutless bearing.
Fit the shaft and prop.
The radar was also not working and I hoped to take a look inside the radome from a ladder!!
This was a great success - the ladder was well short but with Jackie on the winch and me in my very old sit harness - I managed to get the radome top off and found the array to be stiff to rotate.
A bit of 3 in one oil and - sorted!!
To get a better look and refit the cover Nigel winched me up a bit to sit on the spreaders - comfy!!
I am so pleased - that would have been so expensive if I got the professionals involved.
Launching booked for Monday about 3 pm - (tides)
Jackie is painting the washroom area to brighten it up - 2nd coat today.
We also want to clean the deck and sort the green algae on the spray hood today.
Nigel is coming to dinner tonight - beef stew - lovely.
2 pages of little jobs and we will be ready for off.
We aim to go down the river to the river Roach on Tuesday ready for a very early start Wednesday for the trip to Ramsgate.
Mike and Jackie Smethurst.
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