Through the Channel

PROGRESS
Andrew and Hilary Clark
Fri 22 May 2009 22:00
51:20N 01:25E
 
It was with some sadness that we eventually escaped Brighton, with its friendly and efficient marina, liberal and bohemian society, and eclectic range of shops and eateries. I even found myself at the funfair at the end of the pier!
 
But escape we did, and had a cracking downwind passage to Ramsgate, which got us there early, at dead low water. This meant that, along with many others, we slithered to a halt in soft mud in the middle of the harbour, and had to await the rising tide before we could complete berthing. But the harbour is bursting at the seams, such that many of us are berthed several deep on the outside of the marina wavebreaks. Now that the tide is up, the boats are rolling and surging terribly, and I am typing this whilst sitting up watchkeeping on the lines to avoid a clash of masts with our neighbours. I really long for low water again, and some nice soft mud to sink the keels into to stop the gyrations so that I can get some sleep before we hi-tail it out of here.
 
And tomorrow we head for the land of my forebears.