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 Oban
It is sunny today! And warm and not very windy. I was aiming to head off around one to get the best of the tide up to Fort William. By the time I had washed and dried my kit and refuelled the boat STF had already departed. I resisted chasing after them and instead went over to the mainland. I moored on a pontoon next to Bessie Ellen and went to say hello. I have been following this gaff rigged ketch since my brother Ewan told me of his great few days on board. I tried to catch her in Fowey, her home port, but got her here on her last week in Scotland.
I set off properly and was looking at maybe six hours of motoring. The wind changed around a little and I had the foresail out some of the time. It was very warm, and as I was not sailing in company, I enjoyed a couple of hours naked sailing.
Coming through the narrows into Loch Linnhe there were strong currents in different directions. Hand steering again, but I followed another Centaur that looked like they knew the waters.
As I approached Fort William, I had some phone signal again and could see STF were stopped by the shore. I found them tied up to the landing pier. There was no room for another boat, unless I went alongside. They waved at me, but I pressed on to Corpach, at the start of the Caladonian canal. There was a small waiting pontoon, so I tied up there.
Exploring the local area I saw a lone boat, Katra, in the canal basin. I went to say hello and had a coffee, ginger nuts and a good chat with fellow Centaur owners. So hopefully all sorted for starting up the canal tomorrow.
The photo is of Bessie Ellen and the anchor painting party. I thought no one would want to see any selfies of a naked sailor.