Marica goes clockwise
| Vessel Name: | Marica |
16 December 2017 | Slipper Sailing Club
Epiblog
I met fellow Westerly Centaur owner Tom Bedford in Milford Haven. As it turns out we also share a fondness for real ale and the band Steely Dan. Tom is a freelance journalist and when I got back to Emsworth he suggested writing an article about my trip. I agreed without too much reticence and he sent [...]
08 November 2017 | South coast
From Shoreham
I checked the live wind at Chichester Bar this morning on the Chimet web site. Force 4 northerly. Hey! we could go somewhere, Little Hampton (LA) or even further. I might just make it for the 9 o'clock lock out. I called them and they said I would be going out of the smaller Prince George lock. I had [...]
07 November 2017 | Newhaven
From Newhaven
On Tuesday morning we wake to a southerly force 6. The sea state was expected to be 'moderate' and waves were crashing over the harbour breakwater. George and I had porridge and reviewed the situation. He decided caution was the better part of valour and I walked him to the train station.
06 November 2017 | Beachy Head
From Rye
My dad joined me on a frosty Monday morning for our leg from Rye. His name is George so he is the original George according to my sister, or he is George V for this trip. I thought Eastbourne would be a suitable port to make for, and could be completed in daylight hours. Dad had suggested Newhaven so [...]
05 November 2017 | Rye
More water problems
I started the engine this morning, whilst Marica was afloat, to check the repair on the throttle linkage. It was fine but there was no cooling water flowing through the engine. I assumed that mud was stuck in the inlet pipe. All the boats settle in this soft smelly stuff to the top of their keels. So [...]
04 November 2017 | Rye
Bailing Out
This morning (Saturday) I found the cutlery drawer full of water. It's just underneath the cooker. I was wondering where the water had come in last night. The boat had obviously been heeled over at a bigger angle at the top of the tide. There had been water in the washing up bowl, that I had not tested [...]
From Portpatrick
I cast off at 12:30, a bit late to get the tide with me. The forecast was for force 3 to 4 North Westerly winds and calm waters. Getting out if the harbour it was suddenly rougher than I expected. I thought I was on a sheltered Scottish coast. However, Inspecting my new chart I could see we were in the North Passage between Scotland and Ireland and completely exposed to North West winds.
The wind was against until we turned the corner near Stranraer. I then put up the sails and had a cracking tack all the way to Girvan. Rounding the corner the imposing sight of the island of Ailsa Craig appeared. I'd not been prepared to witness such a majestic lump of rock.
I motored in to the harbour at Girvan with the sun setting behind Ailsa Craig, what a view. The visitor berths are on finger pontoons and were fairly empty. I chose a slot without a boat next to it and motored in slowly. All good, and now reverse to kill the speed. The engine stalled. Not enough time to restart it, so I managed to hook the stern line round a cleat and tried to slow Marica down. The rope pulled through my hands and burned a little. The boat did stop though before ploughing into the jetty.
When I tried to leave the marina I found a button to open the gate but no sign of an entry code. I tried calling the harbour master. No reply. I looked to see if entry could be regained in any other way and saw a possible route. I took my hand held VHF with me in case I could call on the radio to find the code.
I found the local pub, The Harbour Bar - call me Magellan. The saloon was shut and there were two chaps insulting each other very loudly in the bar. They kept calling each other caddy, a term that I think means a low paid job, but I'm not sure. I asked what draft beers were on. Something called Caledionia Best and Tennents something. I opted for the former. It was a cask ale and appears to have a pedigree stretching back as far as 2011, and is also brewed by Tennents. It was only £3 and not unpalatable, but that's the best that can be said for it. Guinness and a selection of draft ciders were also on offer. I decided a couple of 'Bests' should be my limit as I had some climbing to do to get back to the boat.