Lowestoft !!!! Yes yes yes !!!!

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As you may see,by the title, Im chuffed to bits. I might even sleep tonight because getting across this bit of the UK has been a 'bit tricky' (to use another of Sir Robins terms). Breaking the trip, by stopping at Wells, meant that I had to leave at high tide. Without going into'the mysteries of the deep' this meant that a very strong tide was against me for 7 of my 10 , sailing hours. In short, it was a mission, especially. after areasonably dramatic start. 

 At 7 am this morning a couple of chaps from Wells Harbour Office led me most of the way, back out to sea. The narrow channel is over a mile long and leads straight out to terminate at a pole, planted in the North Sea. Once as the end I was on my own and turning back would have been very difficult because the shallow harbour would be starting to empty, again. Also, once out, Lowestoft was the nearest safe harbour, 54 miles away, so another 'leap of faith' required. On the way I though I noticed some flashes of white, breaking sea, in the distance. I started to 'smell a rat' when I overhead the chap leading me out, talking to his boss on the radio. His boss said ' I reckon he might come straight back'.  I then overheard the chap leading me say, 'I haven't mentioned anything to him. It's his decision'. Now, call me paranoid but ....when I, finally reached the sea the waves were horrendous; I didn't turn back, partly, to spite them and mainly because I want to come home. As it turned out, the huge waves only lasted a short while and were caused by deep water meeting the shallow entrance channel. Unfortunately, the severe jarring made my autohelm break so I had to hand steer for a couple of hours and, of course, this stops me doing anything else at all. After a fair bit of thinking things through I managed to 'fix' it with standard yacht equipment ( gaffer tape). 

I think this is a place called Cromer but navigation is not ( on my boat) an exact science. 

Long day but so relieved to get here. I can now go with he tides again and will, with luck and a fair wind, make Ramsgate in two legs. Probably not tomorrow (Saturday) as strong headwinds forecast. Have moored at The Royal Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club. The is, by far, the poshest place I've stopped at. 

The 'clubhouse' is like a 5 star country house hotel. They even have a members bar and a visitors bar.Apparently, you are discretely asked to 'sling your hook' if you get the bars mixed up.  Shortly before calling it a day, after watching the England game at a local pub,  I managed to infiltrate the inner sanctum and strike up a conversation with them without getting evicted. They asked me where I was heading and where I had started from. I say, Portsmouth and the Portsmouth.  As ' the penny drops' ( 'what...you've gone right round?') I do admit to starting to feel a little proud. I might try and smuggle a camera in later (Saturday evening). 

And finally, a thanks to a couple of chums, one old and one new, who sent me messages 'en route' today. Helpful and encouraging comments could not, I promise you, have come at a better time.  Night ( Sat morning cos fell asleep).