I arrived off Hartlepool late yesterday afternoon.  It had been a mixed sail from the Humber with a good strong breeze at times making for some excellent sailing, particularly after Flamborough Head where the coast turns away to the north west and the wind veered to the north east, meaning no more beating.  However, there were also some frustrating periods again with no wind.  The major difference from the earlier parts of the trip so far is that there has been very little shipping since the Humber, which has allowed some welcome rest.  My arrival off Hartlepool was just too late to get into the marina, which only has half tide access, so I anchored in Hartlepool Bay and rolled around in the swell until 0130 when there was enough water to get in through the lock.

 

Hartlepool Marina is large and is spread out across an old commercial dock so doesn’t feel too hemmed in.  No photos this time: it’s not particularly photogenic!  I shall be here now for 3 days as this is the end of my solo passage: 500nm from the Solent in almost exactly a week.  Julian arrives on Friday evening and we will be setting sail directly for Bergen early on Saturday morning.  In the meantime I shall be re-provisioning, doing the inevitable bit of running maintenance on Rosinis, topping up fuel and water tanks and generally preparing to head across the North Sea to Norway 400nm away.  Storm Hector is forecast with F9 winds, but I’m very sheltered where I am.  I just hope he’s blown through before we leave.