Tuesday the 10th of April At 7am I made my way through two locks to get to the VVW Westhoek marina (far right of the photo). Entry to the first lock is dependent on the tide (+ or – 3hrs HW) but it was a simple matter to call the lock operators on the phone [...]
Monday the 9th of April An afternoon at the marina packing and lowering the mast using Mr Boyall’s concise instructions posted on the Yarmouth 23 user group and quoted below: “I dropped the mast on Eileen of Avoca as follows:- First the gooseneck was disconnected. Then the gib and stay sail. The forestay was next [...]
Sunday the 8th of April To celebrate a safe arrival, this day was spent sailing in light winds with friends and mum. With nothing more to do than potter about just outside the harbour entrance among a plethora of other vessels, I could not think of a better way to enjoy the fine weather.
Saturday the 7th of April I had arranged for a friend to join me for the last leg to Belgium and he arrived by train just in time to leave by the first opening of the lock at 13:28. As there was still little in the way of wind, I motored to Nieuwpoort. The complimentary [...]
Friday the 6th of April I would have been happier with a little more wind but Friday was certainly a beautiful sunny day. The passage to Calais could not have been easier. I followed a course of 140° and the tidal stream did the rest. All I had to do was watch the P&O and [...]
Thursday the 5th of April The high pressure system finally decided to move south and both wind and waves miraculously disappeared. I followed the fishermen out at sunrise and motored all the way to Dover on a good tide and smooth seas. It was so calm that I was able to round Dungeness by less [...]
Wednesday the 4th of April The clear sky and tranquil conditions within the marina were certainly a contrast to what awaited outside the lock today. After an hour of battling the elements I decided to abort my plan to visit Rye and turned back to Eastbourne. I had endured enough of this the previous evening. [...]
Tuesday the 3rd of April A late start predetermined my next destination so with the mainsail reefed; I set off at midday for Hastings in (surprise surprise) blustery North Easterlies. Near Beachy Head conditions could only be described as awful. The wind frequently gusted to Force 7 and I was forced to motor around the [...]
Monday the 2nd of April At daybreak the wind was still predominantly from the NE, but it had moderated considerably. I took the opportunity to experiment and quietly left the marina under sail. I am no expert with the Gaff Rig, quite the contrary, and a misleading bit of rigging confidently placed by a Dutch [...]
Sunday the 1st of April After a night of howling winds interrupted by a frigid escapade to adjust creaking warps in the middle of the night, I set off at daybreak in conditions that had me wondering about April fools. My concerns were underscored by the conspicuous absence of other departing yachts, but as I [...]
