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 Newhaven

07 November 2017 | Newhaven
Southerly Force 6, showery
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.

I thought I would use the morning to do much needed washing, but the guide was incorrect and there is no laundry facility at the marina, or even in the town now. I wanted to top up on fuel. I saw the there was a wind turbine service cat on the fuel berth, which is about a cable north of the marina by water. He was not moving so cans were the only option involving a bit of a walk round. I got a couple of gallons. I told the marina I intended to leave at two, the man seemed slightly surprised. I got the same reaction from harbour control. Slightly daunted I headed out. The harbour was rough, but outside was rougher. I could not let go of the tiller and was constantly steering into steep waves. My hat was below and I was getting soaked. After half an hour I changed course slightly so the waves were more on the beam and were now rolling the boat. I managed to get the autohelm engaged and started to get things in order. Fenders inboard and warps put away.

Brighton was looking very tempting at only 7 miles along the coast. I had thought of turning round and back into Newhaven, but I didn't fancy that journey again. We pressed on beyond Brighton to Shoreham. The sea was still rough and the wind didn't seem to have died at all. I made out the entrance quite close in and came in on some big surfing waves into the harbour.

There was a dredger working the harbour and I manoeuvred round it while sorting out lines and fenders. I called the lock and they directed me into Prince Philip Lock, the bigger, commercial one of the two. I tied up against a ladder. Now is the water going to be rising or falling? I opted for risising and went to fix a slip on the dock. Nothing close so I used the top of the ladder. The dredger and a fishing boat had joined Marica in the lock. I had just untied the boat from the bottom of the ladder as the water started to rise. The harbour directed me to the visitors pontoon in Lady Bee marina. I tied up and sorted the boat. I'd called the marina during opening hours. The landline number went through to a dentist and the mobile to voicemail. I was worried that I would not be able to get back on the pontoon if I left. I went to investigate. There was a little gate with no lock straight into a car park. Not very secure, but perfect for tonight.

I went for a little explore then called my mate Dave Carrington. He lives in Stenning and used to be joint owner of Marica with me. He said he'd meet me in an hour. He found me later and asked how long was it since I'd had a pint of Harvey's? Funny you should ask. He drove me to a pub that also had London Pride and St Austell's Proper Job. I opted for the Proper Job and some bangers and mash. Dave drove me back to Marica after I'd had a couple and I was tired. The forecast was not looking good for tomorrow so I could have a lie in and potter about in port.

The photo is of some of the cats that have taken over the visitors moorings. I guess they pay much more and wind farms are big business.
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