The match !

Spent morning refuelling and stocking up with food etc for my next leg. I keep checking the weather because its so important to be sure of a settled few days while I try to get across The Wash (big lump that sticks out below Hull). I plan to set off in the morning, around 930.  This is the earliest I can leave as , just outside of Hartlepool Marina it's very shallow so I need the tide to rise. Actually, as I write this, the forecast has updated to force 8. Ill review early in morning. 

Day continued with a very cramped, bumpy and noisy trip on the local 'bullet train' to Newcastle. I've bothered with a picture because there were about 500 people on this thing. A lady conductor pushed people in like it they do in Japan then off we shot, at breakneck speed. Brakes howled as the thing stopped at stations and the driver appeared to be reving the engine and slipping the clutch to pull away again; probably due to the weight. Apparently this route has only had 2 carriages for years, despite its popularity and the fact that, at some stations, people couldn't physically get on and had to wait an hour for the next one.  

Great going into Newcastle with its old bridges and the river etc. Enjoyed lovely pre match banter with locals, on the sun drenched terrace of The Strawberry bar. As you can see by the lack of people in this pic though, it may have been a bit early. By 2pm the place was packed. 

Newcastle won by scoring their first goal since April. The place went wild and, while not exactly matching the magical atmosphere of a Pompey match, it was great fun. Finished off with a beer in the famous 'Shearers Bar' (now just called '9' since he annoyed the owner). Back to station for another blast on the 'bullet'. Final visit to the local club cos Keith wanted to finish his holiday by singing a Perry Como song to the locals. All threw the towel in at 10. Knackered. 

The other side of Newcastle

A bit more sailing before the wind really blew up. Been howling this afternoon. Now at Hartlepool Marina staring at various charts to plot my next move. I am starting to realise that my sailing options are getting a bit limited in terms of stop of ports. I may have said before, but Alexandra Louise is not a vessel that 'East Coast' sailors would chose because she isn't very happy when not in water; when the tide goes out she falls over. This Is most unfortunate because most east coast harbours turn into sand pits at low tide. My next port may be Scarborough because ive just called the Harboumaster there and he assures me theres al little deep bit I can float in. After that its nearly 100 miles to somewhere suitable. I've got this far and trust that a cunning plan will emerge. 

Spent afternoon asleep as Keith and I have decided to be sensible and to pop out to explore stuff a bit later. 

Update - off to Karaoke bar at 1030. It was at local club and great fun. 

Off to watch Newcastle vs Fulham, at St James Park, tomorrow. I regret not visiting when the mighty Pompey were in the Premiership and, now that we are in division 2 (due to a little hiccup) I am beginning to realise that I will have to wait 3 whole years before the 2 famous clubs do battle again. I keep making a point of asking Newcastle folk if they are going to the match and am fascinated by the negative responses. These all include reference to the owner and, invariably, give opportunity for a perfectly timed and delivered use of the 'b' word. 

Ps Dave and Dawn, great to hear from you ! If you are free Ill be in 'toon' about 1pm for pre match 'atmosphere' at a pub called The Strawberry, opposite the ground, near Chinatown. If not please send me your email or number to my email which is pompeystone@gmail.com

No Vids cos no wi fi but will post tomorrow. 

Near Newcastle

Continuing from late, last night. My brief report was sent from the pub as we left to find the dinghy. It was a pitch black, moonless night and, predictably, the torch had a flat battery.  At the end of an old stone jetty, where I had tied the dinghy, there was just a bit of sea 'where it used to be'. The dinghy had gone and, given that Holy Island is virtually shut at that time of night, a bit of a shock. Managed to find the way back to the Pub and the very helpful landlord made a few phone calls to local fisherman who might have helped out, for a substantial fee. He dscovered that the dinghy had been recovered by the local coastguard and now resided at the corner of a cold, wet and very black, beach. In the event, the coastguard took us in his car and we shot off, into the darkness, tracked by his car headlights. All a bit surreal, especially as the ghostly wails persisted (the noises are made by the local seal colony.........I hope)

Back on board it was necessary to have a small whiskey to calm the nerves and count our blessings. This moment, however, was interrupted by a mobile call from a disgruntled blog reader (Francesca) 'demanding' to know why my blog was late and rubbish. She suggested that my trip had gone downhill a bit and that it was time Keith got a 'flip in' train home. Keith looked a bit hurt on hearing this news but then shrugged his shoulders and got tucked into a second whiskey, before nodding off. 

Today's sail started at the crack of 6am and this was the view as I started to take up the anchor. Apologies for a lot of 'sun' pics but this place, I think, warrants such. 

I, finally, got the tide right and, by 8, we passed the Farne Islands. Lots of wind and calm sea so a fast and enjoyable sail. About time the North Sea gave me a break. Oh, and no fog. Dunno what's going on. Trip culminated  in docking at Blythe, just short of Newcastle. Very industrial but, the jewel in the crown, is the Sailing Club Lightship

In The Lightship  - Newcastle banter and humour is priceless. To hear 7 blokes, in the best pub ever( the bow an old  Calshot lightship)  about the merits of Martins Pies ; like talking about holy relics. Crying with laugher. Just pies but the funniest time ! Also, the  Newcastle delivery and timing of the word 'bastard' is remarkable. 

I now want to move to Newcastle ( assuming I have such fun at the footie on Saturday)

And please, please listen to this. The barman sang us a song and I promise t was him. 

https://www.dropbox.com/s/eelcglhqdme3sfu/Video%2029-08-2013%2021%2057%2025.mov

Night all

St Cuthbert (Google if interested but, discounting the Freudian angle, it's limited in 'wow' stuff)

St Cuthbert seems like he was a really nice bloke and appears to be the driving force behind the Holy Island economy.  Anyway, to continue with last nights arrival on Holy Island,

https://www.dropbox.com/s/dxq2x4i79mh53ko/Video%2027-08-2013%2019%2038%2034.mov

As Ive said, already, a great day. Also, I had great sleep. Woken at 7am by a Danish chap calling me to say goodbye until 'we meet again', maybe, at the next port. I'd moored next to him at Eyemouth.  He was setting off for Blythe, a day earlier than me. May catch up later. 

Another leisurely cooked breakfast on deck then rowed ashore, at lunchtime. Rowed really fast, as  air was poring  out of my botched puncture repair.  A walk around the Island started with the famous castle. So lovely.  

https://www.dropbox.com/s/yjgr7nvtavu3r06/Video%2028-08-2013%2012%2052%2058.mov

Walked around the Island and, despite the lure of the pub, we opted for a cream tea. Then, buckled, big time. Visited all 3 pubs, and, totally bolloxed by 7pm. Lots of 'mystical vibes' on this island, have, mysteriously removed much of my comment. Words are not enough. 

Correction, 9pm. Now need to find dinghy and get back. It's dark and the eerie noises are back ...oh, and the dinghy is going down. 

Holy Island

Up at the crack of 10 to prepare a fine, holiday, fry up for my temporary shipmate, Keith. Sun was out and Eyemouth looked a treat. Was going to 'do' the museums and historical highlights but, breakfast was exhausting and decided to  leave port for a short trip to Holy Island  This is a famous anchorage for yachts, when the weather is settled. A good time to give it a go. 

In preparation for the anchorage ( and pub) at Holy Island we decided to pump the dinghy up prior to leaving. Keith happily took on this task and, for a considerable time, could be seen pumping, furiously. 

After some time Keith reported that his,considerable, efforts appeared futile. The dinghy remained 'flatter' than ever.  When investigated, the problem was that the 'out' pipe was connected to the ' in' pipe which meant that, with every, substantial, pump, more air was extracted. I suspect that, given enough time, my battered old inflatable would have vanished into a 'black hole' or something ; there is only so much air that can be extracted from nothing. 

Our sail down the coast only took 3 hrs and approaching the anchorage we were greeted with castles, eerie ancient ruins and, possibly, one of the best sunsets about. I'll include a video in tonight's update. 

About 40 seconds after dropping anchor Keith was in the dinghy ( waiting to go to the pub) and I was completing my ritual of checking my engine oil. We nipped to the beach, about 100yds away, and tracked down the Crown and Anchor, a further 2 minute walk. Sat in the garden, enjoying the total silence and mystic of this special place. We have decided to stay at least a day or so to explore the place a little and relax at anchor. One thing, as we came back to the boat the air was filled with scary wailing from a nearby island. I'm guessing it was birds or sea lions. Had dinner on board and a lovely day was had by all. 

Eyemouth- part 2

Having stayed 3  days,'fogbound', in Stonehaven, I was anxious to resume progress on my trip. I had started spending a little too much time staring at my remote location, on the map. Oddly, being abroad in Spain or the USA etc, has never 'felt' this distant from sunny Shalford. I'm writing this. 'soppy' stuff to try and explain, just a little, of the many things that influence decisions such as , 'yep, that looks OK. Think I'll nip out into those big, grey waves and sail to Eyemouth. Only 13 hrs.' Basically, I think I forced myself to go. 

As I said in my last, brief, report, an hour or so after leaving the gloom of Stonehaven, I was in a big swell and thick fog. I pushed on because I needed to. 

Occasionally, during this mammoth trip, I could feel the fear rising. The expression, 'I can feel the fear rising', now means much to me. Ive learnt that you need to jump on it straight away. Also, Short of calling the coastguard to try and blag helicopter ride, there are no options. In fact, Im not sure that you can attract the services of a Sea King helicopter on the basis that 'you've had enough'. 

One things a certainty, in my opinion; you cannot get the feeling of sheer joy and personal achievement that I experienced, about a nanosecond after making the harbour entrance, without some sort of forfeit or personal pain. That's just the way it is. 

 

As I arrived, there was a lady standing on the end of the breakwater, staring, as I popped out of the smoke ( it was that thick). Apart from a seagull, she was the first sign of life I'd seen since giving Jim 'another' wave goodbye. I shouted out that I loved her.  She must have been startled as I drifted in from the gloom like a scene from from Pirates of The Caribbean. 

After yesterday, decided to relax in Eyemouth. My chum, young Keith ( 

turned up for a few days break. I mention this as a reason for late report. 

Eyemouth

I got to Eyemouth. Logged 82 miles. 6 miles after I left the safety of Stonehaven, on a clear but rainy day, guess what ? I went into fog 'for the day'. Compounded by a huge North Sea swell and the emergence of the Eyemouth breakwater and 15 metre wide entrance, seconds before hitting it, Im going to try and do such a day, and adventure, justice in the morning. Tonight, I'm too spaced out ! 

Here's a clip of my new mate. 

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ik87ulzolzhdbu6/Video%2025-08-2013%2019%2029%2054.mov