I spent a very pleasant day on Monday wandering around Newcastle town quay with a pub lunch with my nephew Tom, and tea on board the boat with my sister Steph.

On Tuesday morning, at about an hour before high water, I was just about afloat so it was time to leave. However, I had not too far to go, and couldn't get in until not too long before the next high water! So I started by motoring up the Tyne and taking a few more pictures of the bridges, the Sage, etc. See the photo album.

I then motored very slowly down the river, exchanging text messages with a former colleague, viewing the sights, and generally taking things easy.

Once at sea, I put the jib up planning to sail under headsail only to continue the theme of taking it easy. The wind had other ideas. Instead of the forecast broad reach, it shifted to NE and I found myself close hauled, with the boat rolling around and very unbalanced. Up went the main, and I accelerated to 4-5kts. I had a glorious sail up to Amble, but got there 2hrs too early! Nice problem to have, I suppose. I anchored off in Coquet Roads, and spent a VERY uncomfortable 2hrs rolling around at anchor.

Eventually the time came and I motored into the river and on to the marina, crossing the cill with 30cm water under the keel - a bit close, but a miss is as good as a mile.

During the passage I'd phoned the marina and spoken to a very friendly lady who'd assigned me a berth. I got into the berth, but only just. Fenders touching both the pontoon on one side, and the neighbouring boat on the other. For once, it wasn't my own waistline that was the problem!

But what a friendly place Amble Marina was! Within an hour of arriving, two locals and two other cruising yachtsmen had welcomed me, chatting for quite a while and suggesting things to do, including inviting me to the yacht club (sadly not open til after I'd left). This continued the following day, meeting the lady in the berthing office who was friendly, efficient, and had in stock the precise size shackle I needed that nowhere else had.

The following day I walked up alongside the River Coquet to Warkworth Castle - impressive, but entry by pre-booking only. Back to Amble, alongside what used to be known as Warkworth Harbour.

Log of this passage