Difran 2 Baltic Cruise 2014

It all started so well Sailed out from the Solent Tuesday 17th May. Into Brighton VHF reply have you read Notice to Mariners 'we have 1.5 m silt what draft are you? managed to get in and find the berth. Wednesday poored with rain Thursday went to go silt caused late departure late at Dungness, late into Dover. day of rest departed for Ramsgate nice day sail Sunny weather.
Set out to cross the Thames sands up through Fishermans Gat engine started its old problems thought I had cured.Eventually arrived at Medusa Channel to Anchor. Rest and depart 0100 sailed into light NE for 6 hours anchor again at Minsmere.
Set out for final leg NE wind increased wind over tide very rough struggle into Lowestoft. I was knackered Paul fed up and ready to depart as the struggle to get North up the east Coast was more than a summer cruise. Into RN&SYC Mars joined us for dinner ashore when Decisions were for Paul to Depart Mars and I to Abandon and head South. A combination Of My Knee, Engine and weather. Said Goodby to Paul on the train, went to Oulton Broad for some gasket material as lift pump was leaking oil.Returned Cut new Gasket solved one problem. Waited three dayshad discussion with Ken and Mary Endean about what else 'Weather'. A bit of sun we headed south. passing the Ore entrance on a suitable tide over the bar we had a nice sail to Orford picked up a buoy. Next day other side of havergate Isle slow cruise to cross the Bar on a rising tide to enter the Orwell up to Pin Mill and a stop in Levington Marina. South going tide set out for Chatham through the Thames Sands, Delayed at Thames No 1 Buoy Crossing big ships late into the Medway Struggled for 8/10 miles with engine on low revs. Finally locked in.
Day of rest planned. visit Royal Dockyard.
Great my knee finally gave out great pain difficult to walk. Rest the next day Mars had a look at chatham town 'not Impressed' forecast days of 5-7 gale 8 so took train home, One to Abingdon me to the new Forest. And hear we stayed for a week. Returned on Thursday. Locked out 0500 Friday only made it to Tanquerton Bay to Anchor. Sailed Slow and Cold to Ramsgate, day or two of rest Sailed Slow and cold to Dover. Here we met with a bit of luck when Dover Control asked us to Enter East Entry under control Advised No Engine we were nursed in to sail to the inner Harbour a little engine 8 minutes was all we could get before 120 Deg's and cut. Straight in I think Dover Mariner had been listening to our plight. On a reasonably fine day Wind wrong Direction we set out, Struggled to round Dungness eased away on Port tack to Run foul of the range firing. Acompanied south to clear slowly west, At royal Soveriegn in the early morning great sunrise soon to cloud and go cold again struggle with no wind and a drift with the tide. Soon to make better progress untill Selsey Bill tide against Anchored at Bognor Rocks very Rolly. Next day no wind Fog wet and cold but we managed to drift South ish then west saw an opertunity so Engine on reached Pullar. Down came the heavens but steady progress to West Pole then on to the gap inside Horse Sand fort, could not make it so headed for St Helens rounded to north and cleared No Mans Fort held course for City of Chichester incomming went to Starboard tack it was obvious we would not make Osborne Bay that evening. I went below for a rest Mars had sailed North to Hill head and suddenly we had wind to storm across to Osborne Bay to Anchor at 22.00. Next morning some wind so up anchor headed north across the east going tide but on tacking founf we only made it back to where we had departed. Mars say we have to head west I suggested he take the helm after a few moments he say's let head up the north channel so we tacked up to Hill Head and suprise suprise the tide was more favourable and we made steady progress to Lepe Spit Buoy. I primed the engine more Salt water as we had run out of fresh stuff, a little engine and a prayer we made it to turn and run along to the Beaulieu Moorings further Priming with salt water and we made it to pick up my mooring. The most Stressfull month of my Sailing years If My crew said never again in Difran 2 I would not be surprised But I believe they are made of tuffer stuff. I now have to Sort the engine My experience tells me a Cracked head/Block or Gasket blown. But on reflection the east coast rivers having watched Dylan Winter's Keepturningleft are absolutely delightfull. So would I go again? Yes but the weather needs sorting plus my Engine it is now possibly 60 years old and I do not consider myself the best Engineer. But we sailed a heavy displacement boat 600 miles as the sailors of old, without engine.

Regards to all who read
Bryan T Difran 2