Overnight Race from Sunderland to Whitby! 27th/28th June 2014.

Glorious sunshine and blue skies greeted us on the Thursday morning for our early departure from Whitby.  This being my very first overnight race, I felt tremendously excited as well as a little apprehensive about what lay ahead.  Having packed plenty of warm clothing and gallons of hot coffee and soup we were ready for any climatic conditions we might encounter in the North Sea!!

Due to the lack of wind Dave and I were obliged, reluctantly, to motor Double D to Sunderland.  However, this gave us ample opportunity to take in the incredible coastal scenery, wildlife, and more importantly, time to revise vessel lights!!!  Thanks Dave!! 

Being accompanied by Icon proved most enjoyable too for this outward journey.  Exchanging the odd words of banter, whilst in bantering distance, made time fly by.

Sunderland came into view six hours later, and approaching the marina was a welcome sight.  However our joy turned to disbelief when we were informed that there was only room for one vessel!! Oooops!  Thankfully, after a good deal of Neil’s persistence, a berth was made available and we moored alongside our Icon crewmates.  We made full use of the marina`s facilities; eating and drinking and enjoying our visit.  

By late afternoon on Friday, we had our full complement of crew.  Adrian Fusco joined us.  It was to be his first overnight race too.  All of us were eagerly awaiting the race start.  As the start time drew ever closer, I began to feel a few butterflies, how dark would it actually be? and, would I be able to stay awake??  

We had checked weather conditions during the day and our worst fears were realised,  LIGHT WINDS!!  Frustration!!  Well at least everyone was in the same boat, figuratively speaking, and as it turned out, we all were, almost. 

At the start there we all were, jostling and bobbing about, using boathooks and fenders to stop the boats colliding as we literally inched closer to the start line. Forty minutes later (which seemed an eternity) everyone finally crossed the start line.  Hooray we`re off thought I.  Gradually the north easterly winds picked up and we began to race!!!

As the light faded and darkness fell,  I was amazed that it was still possible to make out other boats against the skyline.  I couldn`t believe the myriad of lights along the coast as we passed Teesside, and realised how baffling it could be.  Very steadily the winds began to increase until we were making a healthy 5/6 knots.  It felt fabulous and a real thrill when we realised we were keeping up with the rest of the fleet!

One of the most magical moments was when Dave told me to look over the stern and I was able to see the phosphorescence that he`d told me about, shimmering and glistening in the murky waters below!! AWESOME!!!

Gradually tiredness took over, and I managed to grab some sleep below deck, drifting off to the sounds of the boat as she skimmed the water.  An hour later,  I emerged to see the wind farm was still remarkably in view. 

Then a mysterious red light appeared almost dead ahead. At first it appeared as though it wasn`t too far in the distance.  After a while, however, as the light improved and dawn was breaking, Dave realised it was the light above Whitby harbour on the cliff top!  Thank goodness he`d identified where it actually was!!  The dark definitely plays tricks with your eyes.

As we sailed closer towards Whitby our course took us between boats that were steering out into the North Sea and others that were hugging the coastline.  We noticed that we had made considerable ground and were lying around 4^th place.  Fantastic! not far to go, we could finish amongst the top half of the group.  Alas as the finish line approached we were scuppered!!

The wind dropped and we began to struggle to make any ground over the water!!.  We could see our position slipping away and couldn`t do anything about it.  Even though we were bitterly disappointed,  I was relieved to have completed my first overnight race.

 I`m now looking forward to cruising to the Farnes in July and here`s hoping the weather is kinder to us!!

Mel Russell

Double D

W.Y. C. Summer Cruise North Sat 19th July 2014

Hello all,

Well, at last I have sat down with tables and charts, the results of my labours, the dates and tides are below.

Sat 19th July - H.W. 09:59 - Whitby to Hartlepool - We intend to leave on the extra bridge, at 1300.
Thus getting the tide north, and possibly having to wait for sufficient water to enter the Hartlepool lock.

Sun 20th July - H.W. 10:47 - H'pool to Newcastle City Marina - 27N.M. - Leaving about midday seeking the tidal assistance to the Tyne mouth, then the flooding tide to assist up the river Tyne to the City Marina. Will have to book a bridge opening at the Millennium bridge

Mon 21st - Rest Day in Newcastle

Tues 22nd - H.W. 1256 - Newcastle City Marina to Amble - 27N.M. - Leaving on the Midday bridge

Wed 23rd - H.W. 13:42 - Amble to Farnes - 28N.M. - I am keen to visit the Farnes, and weather dependent anchor overnight at Lindisfarne

Thurs 24th - H.W. 02:09 & 14:35 - Lindisfarne to Eyemouth - 17 N.M.

We are keen to travel all the way to the Firth of Forth, and Queensferry, all being dependent on tide and weather.

The return journey will most likely start on Sunday 27th , to conclude in Scarborough by Friday 1st August, for the race the following morning.

I will welcome any observations, or comments, and would like to know if anyone intends to join in for any of this cruise.

Best regards
Dave Broughton
R.C.C.

Pelagia in the footsteps of Odysseus

We were joined in Corfu by Catherine, our friend from Fryup and together we were able to explore Corfu town, in good weather this time, before setting off south for Cephallonia. Our first stop en route was a previously visited bay of Mourtos on the mainland then off to Mongonisi bay on Paxos island. After a gentle sail we were the first to arrive and anchored in this picturesque bay where we could then watch the antics of others attempting to securely anchor in the now skittish wind.

 From Paxos it was a longer sail down to Preveza, a flat area of land on the mainland somewhat reminiscent of Spurn head only much warmer! Entering Cleopatra marina in the strong wind and cross current proved interesting and we were watched by a turtle, head up in the marina waters. Here we have arranged our summer lift out for August.

Heading south towards Lefkas island you enter the Lefkas canal which splits the sand bar making Lefkas an island. The floating bridge to enter the canal is fascinating as both ends lift then the whole thing swings aside to clear the channel. Once through the canal you are in sheltered waters with many small islands as well as beautiful Lefkas itself. A good sail down towards Nidri town brought us to our chosen bay to anchor and whilst negotiating the many yachts in a capricious wind our engine refused to start. More tacking required to give us some sea room before I dare go below to investigate and then the loose wire was found and rectified. The prize was a magnificent tranquil bay to anchor with stunning views of Lefkas mountains over which the sun set slowly. A small house on the shore of the bay appeared to have a cement mixer on the quay that was too clean for its normal use. Our puzzlement was ended when we saw the fisherman throw his octopus into it to tenderise the meat.

Next day sailing to Meganissi island we passed the island of Skorpios, once owned by the Onassis family and now by Russians. Beautiful, tranquil but untouchable. The small town of Spartakhori was where we berthed and we could climb up to the small sleepy town above the bay where time stopped probably in Homer’s time.

A sail through the Meganissi channel, said to be the most beautiful in the Ionian did not disappoint and then out into the sea towards Ithaca. Homer’s Odyssey describes Ithaca as the land of goats and the high mountainous green slopes certainly seemed so. The town of Frikes nestling deep in a valley provided a small harbour where we moored alongside soon to be hemmed in by a dozen charter flotilla yachts. But it did not spoil the ambience of the place. Catherine had visited here before and showed us the sights and some of the local people. Imagine our surprise when looking at a hotel swimming pool to meet up with Bob, our crew in the Atlantic that we had not seen for 6 years.

From Ithaca to Cephallonia island where Pelagia gets her name. The town of Fiscardo is much visited by tourists as the prettiest town on Cephallonia and the only one to survive the 1953 earthquake. Finding a space on the quay was difficult and getting our anchor down without crossing others is a challenge. Later we realised that people don’t care and it is just something to sort out in the morning. Our stern was a few feet from a restaurant and they helped us to get ashore so we felt compelled to eat there later and very good it was. The old town is quaint, Venetian style with many roman remains including a burial site from the second century.

More gentle sailing to Euphymia where we anchored in the middle of the harbour bay to be treated to a display by a friendly turtle. From here another gentle sail to the south end of Ithaca island into Andreas bay which is inaccessible by land. A small fishing boat was all the company we had in this tiny idyllic bay where we enjoyed the solitude and the swimming. A herd of wild goats came to entertain us with their bleating and their antics on the rocks around the bay. Finally a long passage down to the south end of Cephallonia island where anchorages were not many or sheltered. The bay of Katelios on the south coast appeared calm upon entry but in the afternoon force 7 it became very lively and rolled all night. To get a final good nights sleep we went up the inlet beyond Argostoli the next night and anchored at the head of the bay, sheltered and good for swimming. Catherine got her last night at sea as a quiet restful anchorage. Into Argostoli the next morning where we are now on the town quay. The capital of Cephallonia the town is busy but provides anything you may need. Totally destroyed in the 1953 quake it has been rebuilt sympathetically. Many people emigrated from the island after the quake as they lost everything and so soon after the destruction of the war but they seem determined to build a good life here. Sadly the quay side has cracks in it which occurred this year with another small quake. The problem of living on an active area. A great tourist attraction in the harbour is a group of 5 turtles encouraged by food from the fisherman and they will put on a great display.

Catherine leaves us here and our next crew, Keith and Irene are due in soon as we begin our route back north to our lift out