Mid Atlantic to Ramsgate

Right Turn
Mike Goldsmith & Kate Richmond
Sat 31 Jul 2010 13:16

June and July 2010

 

For the first few days of June, Mike continued his trek back across the pond……

Don’t lose the will to live reading this bit – have put non-yachtie interesting bits in red italics!

 

Light winds and fog over night but at 0400hrs the forecasted shift in the wind came and by midmorning we’re hard on the wind with a bit of sun having a great sail.

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Of course nothing lasts and by 2200hrs the engine is on, whilst the wind is light and moves into the EAST!!!!!! At least it is no longer grey and damp!

 

Continue motoring until late PM when the wind fills in from ahead, it’s a 100 ml beat to clear the Lizard, no chance of the last bit being easy!

 

By morning, it’s easterly 6 gusting 7 but the sun is shining, Radio 2 is on and I shall get into Falmouth late this evening.

 

It was a hard fight to get past the Lizard.  After sailing across an ocean I arrive at the Lizard a couple days after the top of springs with the full ebb and a strong head wind! It is soon forgotten, anchor down in Falmouth at 2030hrs, supper, a little snifter and bed. Would I do it again? – Yes. The toughest bit was the last 24hrs when the amount of shipping denied me any sleep. A good following breeze could have made that easier – but doesn’t the wind always blow from the east when you want to go up channel. The lowest point was Horta, never again during the silly season; wish I’d stayed with plan A.  (Bit of bragging here) A big part of the credit for the success must go to Kate (Catering Manager) who set me up just right for the trip. I was able to have a proper hot cooked meal every day, even during a gale 9!   I did have to take on extra porridge and milk in Horta; I must be getting soft, felt cold for most of the trip. The only thing that broke that I couldn’t fix are the buttons on the auto pilot control panel, (I’m sure B&G will fix them for a very good price)

 

Falmouth, a warm sunny day spent at anchor doing some odd jobs, no wind but a westerly forecast soon. As I might be off tomorrow I can’t be bothered to inflate the dinghy and go ashore. I’ll use the water taxi in Salcombe.

 

Set off at first light with a good NW’ly as forecast, the plan being a fast passage and ashore in Salcombe for supplies. Once clear of the coast the wind went light. Managed to keep sailing and just got to Salcombe as the tide was turning, too late for the shops. Salcombe very busy.

 

Set off around 6 without a lot of wind, but it came in around 8 and built during the day so had a good sail and anchored in Studland Bay around 1930. Brian & Pam have invited me to supper in Cowes tomorrow evening, which will make a pleasant change from eating my own cooking. No rush in the morning as it’s best to wait for the tide at the Needles.

 

A gentle breeze takes us most of the way to Cowes and all tied up by 1430hrs. Supper with B&P, good to see them again and catch up.

 

Wake to the sound of rain beating on the coach roof, but today’s going to have the best wind for getting further east. So up and under way by 0500hrs. A hard beat across the Solent but clear of the Forts before the tide turns. Once clear of the IOW it’s a beam reach to Beachy Head and looking very good, the rain stops and the sun comes out. But, of course, the wind slowly drops away and it’s engine on just after 1500hrs.

Boarded by HM Customs looking for drugs! Managed to keep the tide all the way to Dover and anchored at 2330hrs

 

The final leg, no wind so motored to Ramsgate, moored by 1030hrs on 9th July. Kate on board in the afternoon and we off load clothes and provisions to our lovely new transport – an old Transit van! And back to the apartment – this will be Mike’s first sleep on land for nearly a year.

 

Finally got lifted around 3.30pm and met up with Ray the surveyor who came to look at the small blisters we have on the stern waterline.

 

We thought we’d seen the last of the hoist when we left Kent last year!

 

 

 

From this point on, I take back over writing the blog so it’s all fascinating!

The last half of June

 

Surveyor recommends we have her lifted and treated, so while we are doing that have decided on having her re-coloured cream. It will make it cooler below decks and will be easier to keep her looking good. Love the dark colours but they look quite sad after a while in the water. So we have arranged for her to go to The Hamble in August to get the work done.

 

Hilarious Moment! I was at Hannah’s baby shower when Brett rang; I passed him over to Tanya to take the message. She tells me that Brett wants to talk to Mike about his feet. What on earth are wrong with Mike’s feet? Seems a bit odd, I didn’t know he had problem with his feet! Wasn’t till quite a while later that Carrie pointed out Brett might have wanted to talk to Mike about his feAt! Much giggling into champagne glasses…

 

Right Turn, meanwhile, stays in the yard in Ramsgate while we drive down to Les Mayons in our beat up old Transit to cart furniture back to UK! Mike is of the firm belief that the Richmonds spend their entire lives moving furniture around the country – or, in my case, countries!

 

July 2010

 

RT remains on the hard standing at Ramsgate with Mike working hard on her to be ready to go back in the water early August to go to The Hamble. Kate occasionally there to repair stuff needing sewing but I’m mostly in Saltwood waiting for baby Henry to arrive and supervising the build of granny annexe and bedroom and bathroom for Hannah and Will.