28th August – 2nd September
28th August and left Suffolk YH at 1300 … for Oostende
I was then shaken by my incredible stupidity. For what happened approaching Long Sand Head was not good. None of the pictures show the sort of sea running or the wind strength but I was tucking a 2nd reef in to the main and actually had no business to be leaning on the aft end of the boom wrestling with our crisp new main sail. Reefs 1 & 2 are single line. The leach line is adjusted at the goose neck. I was idiotically being tidy when I must have kicked the main sheet and the boom swung out with me holding it. I found myself, toes on guard rail trying to get back inside the rails. I was not clipped on, my PLB was not strapped to my waist ….. I am not saying I am too good but I have certainly done too much to make such a mistake..
The fact that I am writing this means I got away with it ..
Fairly strong winds from the SW were forecast ….. and certainly blew
…for much of the crossing 5’s and 6’s with 2 reefs in the main and the genoa furled to the 2nd mark ..
Past midnight and in to the early hours of the 29th August …. the wind moderated and we shook out the reefs
A very clear night … and a full moon
0200 and we were moored in RYCO having sailed all the way..
Later in the day a sail out of Oostende in very light airs with Pieter and Mieke on ‘Plankzeil’
30th August
‘Egelantier’ Contest 38S
A drink with Bram Robichez and family on board his very impressive Contest 38S.
31st August and with winds on the nose for a direct return to Harwich .. we headed west to Dunkerque
Leaving Oostende for Dunkerque
and an afternoon and night in YCMN
A walk in Dunkerque
1st September
Winds were still N Westerly and strong early on but due to moderate and become variable later in the day. We were going to be able to sail West and then almost certainly motor across the TSS in The Straits ….. to Ramsgate
Powering west along the Dunkerque coast
Heading away from France
Photographs rarely show the sea running …
There is always traffic..
The ships ahead were anchored just outside the TSS
2nd September
‘Talisker 1’ in Ramsgate waiting for a good tide to cross the estuary to Harwich
‘Talisker l’ centre
light variable winds … the entrance to the port of Ramsgate
The entrance to the inner harbour which shoals on the seaward side
HMS Vigilant Border Agency Patrol Boat with ‘Talisker 1 centre left in picture above, just to the right of the patrol boats davits…. a few weeks later Vigilant had a good look at us on our way to The Swale. Just doing her job…
A good looking square rigger anchored off North Foreland
It was going to be a frustrating motor to Harwich…..
‘Clementine’, cobelfret – ferries
I talked to her watch officer on VHF and she passed ahead of us. James Robinson, aboard ‘Sanderling’ on passage to The Medway with the Howard’s, heard the exchange and then called us on the radio ..
The Naze .. just visible
The cranes of Felixstowe docks …
3rd September
‘Talisker l’ Suffolk YH
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