Marica goes clockwise

Vessel Name: Marica
16 December 2017 | Slipper Sailing Club
08 November 2017 | South coast
07 November 2017 | Newhaven
06 November 2017 | Beachy Head
05 November 2017 | Rye
04 November 2017 | Rye
03 November 2017 | Rye
02 November 2017 | South Coast
01 November 2017 | Thames Estuary
31 October 2017 | Harwich
30 October 2017 | Southwold
27 October 2017 | North Sea
25 October 2017 | Lincolnshire Coast
18 October 2017 | Yorkshire Coast
17 October 2017 | Bridlington
16 October 2017 | Flamborough Head
15 October 2017 | Whitby
12 October 2017 | Yorkshire coast
10 October 2017 | Geordieland
09 October 2017 | England!
Recent Blog Posts
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 Tarbet

06 September 2017 | Crinan canal
Showery
I left this morning before the chandlery/office was open to take my payment. However, they operate an honesty box, and I was honest. A lovely looking place is East Loch Tarbet, someone last night said it resembles Port Isaac in Cornwall, where Doc Martin was filmed.

Only 10 miles to Ardrishaig and the start of the Crinan canal. However, I was keen to get there quickly to hopefully double up with another boat for operating the dozen or so locks. I arrived and was told I was the first boat going North in three days. For £60 I could get someone to help me operate the locks. I decided to press on alone. How hard could it be? Just as I was waiting in the sea lock (operated by staff) they saw a boat heading our way. We waited and they tied up on the waiting pontoon, but were not coming into the canal. I went in to the canal basin and tied up. I went to a cafe to study the instructions for lock operations etc. The fee for the canal allows four days to travel the length so I could do it slowly. The lock keepers suggested waiting in the basin for a day to see if another boat turned up.

I decided to do the first four locks this afternoon and tie up at Cairnbaan for the night. I was fortunate in another boat was coming down as I set off. With them, and some help from the lock keepers, the next two locks were completed quickly. At the next there was also a bridge and a lock keeper. A large German boat was coming down and they had two ground crew, two rope holders and a skipper. I think they looked at me askance as I went into the lock singlehanded.

It is strange looking down on the sea, roads and towns from my boat. Beautiful scenery and very peaceful, with just the odd cyclist and dog walker. The photo is of my overnight stop, just half way up 8 locks.
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