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Delivery Trip to Plymouth

Actually the weather for the end of April is not that bad. A few showers, but we hear much improved from the gales over winter.

Thanks once again to the amazing hospitality of Lynne's parents Graham and Shelia, we are residing in the spare room of their bungalow in Eastbourne.
With so many people to catch up with it will be a busy period for us both as we are only expecting to be back for about a month.

Some of you may know already but we have encountered a setback regarding the delivery of Aztec Dream, which we only found out about on our return.
Aztec is currently in the Caribbean and was booked to be transported to the UK (Southampton) via container ship to arrive early to mid May. The shipping has been postponed and now she will not arrive until early June.

This was a major blow for us for may reasons, not least of which we have had to cancel and lose our entrance money on the Rally Portugal. Our good friends Tim and Tina on the lovely yacht Shiraz will now be sailing without us. We are hoping to travel down to Plymouth to see them off but that wont be until the 1st June.

The next big event in the diary was Shelia and Graham's 50th wedding anniversary party at the Devonshire Club.

A good time was had by all.

50 years!

Awaiting guests

Speech time

Our thoughts turned next to the invite from friends Tim and Tina who will be partaking in the ARC Portugal, and sailing onwards with us to Almerimar for the winter season.
One of the qualifying requirements for entry to the Rally is for the skipper to undertake a non-stop 100 mile passage. Tim asked us if would would crew for him to do an Eastbourne to Brighton leg and then Brighton to Swanwick, but the long way around the Isle of Wight, before we leave to catch a train back and they carry on hopping along the coast to mayflower Marina in Plymouth for the start of the Rally on June 1st.

Of course the thing about sailing is you need wind, not too much and also in the right direction. Needless to say the forecast conspired to delay plans for at least a week as a series of low pressure systems formed in the Atlantic and made their way along the coast.

Oh well, we wanted to visit the nearby bluebell woods at Bates Farm so now we had some spare time on our hands.

And just for good measure we made a visit to nearby Birling Gap to watch the sunset.

Thoughts then turned back to an improving forecast and the opportunity to join Tim and Tina to sail Shiraz down to Plymouth.
Tim decided that the fist leg would be to Brighton, and from Brighton straight to Plymouth.
As Lynne had prior commitments, friend Peter Dickens joined us for the first leg.

It was a big occasion leaving the lock gates for the last time, and great to share the experience.
We even managed to unfurl a sail along the way, and many thanks to Peter for lunch.

Peter and Steve doing a deck walkaround

Waiting for the lock gates for the final time

Safe arrival in Brighton

After a yummy lunch and a short rest followed by dinner, we left Brighton at 22.00 hrs and started the long voyage to Plymouth. 

The lack of wind meant calm conditions so the engine had to go on, which was a bit of a pain as my bunk was right next to it so sleeping on the 3 hour off watch period was challenging.
As it turned out apart from keeping a good look-out, the passage was very straightforward and about 30 hours after leaving Brighton we arrived in Mayflower Marina, Plymouth.

Calm conditions

Safe arrival in Plymouth

 
No visit to Mayflower marina would be complete without a meal at Jolly Jacks!

Tim and Tina tucking into dinner

We will both pop down to Plymouth to wave them off on the 1st June when the Rally yachts embark on their 550NM passage to Northern Spain. Pictures to follow.

Next on the busy schedule was to hop over the Channel to Dieppe, to visit friends Alan and Sarah for a few days.
We have sailed to Dieppe twice before on Scarlet Lady and both times had good crossings, albeit about 12 hours in duration. This time we took the easy option and caught the Newhaven to Dieppe ferry, which only takes 4 hours.

As mini breaks go this one was really relaxing, with a chance for a bit of sightseeing and some wonderful meals out. A huge thank you to Alan and Sarah for their kind hospitality.

Dieppe street

Cheeky Local

Great meal here

Next off was a visit to Plymouth to coincide with the Start of the 2014 ARC Portugal.

We arrived early to find, as expected, all the crews busy with last minute preparations. The weather was grey and overcast, with light WSW winds. 
Having looked at the long range forecasts it was clear that it would be an 'interesting' crossing, with a contrast of conditions from almost no wind, to a possible Force 7 or 8 towards the end.

L to R Henry, Tim, Dan and Terry

Final farewells

Proud moment

Off we go

Lovely looking yacht - just like Aztec!

 














The start line was just around the corner on the Hoe, so we jumped in the car in time to see the start which looked great.

Flying start

Once we arrived back home we remained glued to the Fleet Viewer on the Rally website so that we could monitor the progress. This year all of the yachts took a very 'inside' route well to leeward of the rhumb line. This probably had something to do with the final briefing in Plymouth, where it was advised to make good progress South to try and avoid the low pressure system which would be off the Northern coast of Spain later in the week.

By Thursday morning it became clear that all of the fleet would be experiencing horrendous conditions, and sure enough all but two chose to divert to the safety of marinas on the Northern and Western coast, well short of Bayona. Two yachts that had been making really good progress took the decision to carry on, and both made it, no doubt shaken and stirred.

To give you a flavour, here are some extracts from logs:-

Orion

We were promised an adventure and how true! The Bay of Biscay displayed all her moods, majestic and splendid. We were buffeted and becalmed but Thursday was the pinnacle for us! The small window to travel the last 40 miles to Bayona soon closed and we were straight into 30 knot headwinds but still making way when it all began. Our trusty engine stopped, just when we were between the shore and a rocky outcrop. Quick action to hoist the genoa, vastly overpowering the boat but getting us away from the shore. Then a quick tack to miss the rocky shoal. Then…snap, the genoa sheet broke. Another quick tack, substituting the only available line, a smaller preventer line. Greg went down below to work out the engine problem as the tank still showed, correctly so, half full. As he was doing so, the leech on the genoa started to shred, flying up into the furler and jamming it. We were in serious trouble! Greg discovered a dry fuel line. Lucky we were carrying 2 spare jerry cans of fuel. Greg filled the tank, bled the line and the engine started. Whew! But with now 30 knot winds in our face, we turned into Portosin, luckily abeam of us. The issue now was that we could not completely furl in the jammed genoa, and had a lovely little storm sail carrying us along at 6.5 knots. A worry for entering the blustery marina. More tense moments ensued but turning into the break wall, there was Fleur and Roger (Waterval) waiting, pointing us to a berth and helping us in. Wonderful people! That night we celebrated dinner with Waterval and Porcellum. Subsequent investigations showed that the fuel intake is located right up the front of a shallow tank and with the rough conditions, pitching and rolling, bled dry. Something to look out for in the future. A potentially lethal situation well avoided by a crew who pulled together admirably. I salute the Bay of Biscay!

Shiraz

A very mixed biscay crossing with 5 knots of wind, mirror calm seas and dolphin watching one day to 38 knots, a torn sail, topping lift wrapped around the forestay and engine failure the next. But hay ho we're all safe, emergency repairs done and well rested. After finding a wifi cafe, or wiffee as the locals say it was good to see all the other rally boats safe and sound. Looking forward to moving on to Bayona and sharing stories with the other crews. Hoping to make a move early Sunday morning. 

Waterval

When we started out on june 1st there was a suspicion of strong southerly winds towards the last day. How true this proved to be! The fleet lies scattered over the north of Spain and the people of the organisation have to work there buts off to put it all together again. We had counted on a NW wind earlier on Biscay, but it never came.... This is how it went with us.

Day 1. June 1st

After the start line, where we blasted out Queen's "We are the champions" we took as the only ones the east exit on the Plymouth Sound and had a nice view of the others against the dark, hilly background. With a weak wind to beat against our boat is at its worst and we had to motorsail a lot.

Day 2. June 2nd
The west going tide didn't take us far enough to evade Ouessant and we ended up tacking against a fierce tide in the rain. We met with Spirit III, they took the Chenal du Four, we took the outside. Slowly we came to the Biscay crossing. The wind veered a bit to the west, just enough to keep our course. Early in the evening a swallow flew straight into the cabin! We told him to get out, but in she came again! Again we sent her out and closed the doors, where she hovered again and again. She rested under the sprayhood and took off with our wishes to find another ship and so, she did. Spirit III reported her in their blog and we heard from Pocellum that she visited them as well!

Day 3. June 3rd
Halfway Biscay and feeling very dirty. The perfect moment to take a shower, since we felt the wind feshening. We enjoyed the hot water (an advantage of motor sailing) and fresh clothes. The soap must have attracted the sea mammals: a huge group of about a 100 dolphins accompanied us into the night.
We are both very very tired and have to encourage each other. Being on call every 4 hours takes its toll apparently. The wind builds up, as do the waves. We are curious to see how Waterval will cope. However, she shows us she feels excellent in this type of weather. Dancing the waves at 8.5 knots under focsail only! Exhillarating sailing!

Day 4. June 4th
After an exciting night (max 35 knots of wind in the gusts...), the wind and the waves calm down. As Fleur takes her watch, a group of dolphins came to say good morning. They stay the entire 4- hour watch. A beautiful sight!
Unfortunately during the day the wind disappears entirely. We decide to speed up, because of the bad weather reports for the next day. We have a "land ho" of the Spanish coast with Porcellum ahead of us. At times we have radio contact. A weather report from the Finisterre coastal station mentions no serious winds and we hope we may reach Bayona. To be on the safe side we look up and note secondary ports in case they are wrong. We give her maximum speed to get at least past Finisterre and to the first Rio. If the wind picks up, we can always turn round and enter a safe haven.

Day5. June 5th
Around midnight we pass the first headland and motor on, between numerous fishing boats, sometimes confusing at night. Round 4 o'clock we pass Finisterre, we have a feeling of relief. 

Some 5 hours later....no more than 2 knots speed against a force 7-8 Beaufort and building. Roger wakes up, gets a questioning look from Fleur and realises that we are truly tired and tacking against this weather is not for us at this time. Together we decide to enter the Rio de Muros. An elegant courseline on Yellowbrick is the result of this quick decision making.

As we approach the well-sheltered marina of Portosin, we start to wonder why we even stopped sailing. Only 2 kts of wind here! However, shortly after berthing Porcellum hops in, a couple of hours later followed by Orion. We feel justified.

The evening ends with a reasonable meal in excellent company. The 3 crews of Porcellum, Orion and Waterval get to know each other better. Light repairs on the boats are planned together. You can feel a community forming.

Of course we will continue to monitor the progress South, but attention is now turning to our own preparations as news comes through of a possible handover date of the 16th on our new yacht. We are just starting to get a little excited, mixed with a little apprehension.

Most of the shopping is now done but the Sat Comms still need to be sorted, and only just remembered that we need to buy a salinity meter to test the water produced from the Water Maker. We need to ensure that the water produced is safe to drink, and this means a concentartion of total dissolved solids of less than 600ppm.

The WaterMaker is a DC version and can make about 29 litres an hour, with the water diverted to the front tank only. By doing this the rear tank does not get contaminated if we get an issue.

The WaterMaker is currently 'pickled' which means it is de-commissioned in a solution that prevents nasty bacteria forming. It is doubtful we will need to use it this season, but it is a great addition for down the line.