Voyage Facts and Figures

                                                                    Facts and Figures


Start date: 3rd May 2011
End date:  29th August 2011

Days on board:                     110
Days at sea:                            62  =  56%
Days in port:                          48  =  44%
Days in port - weather bound:         15

Nights spent on swinging mooring buoy:  7   At Dundee; Lamlash;
                                                                          Helford River x 2; Salcombe;
                                                                          Gravesend x 2.

Night hours at sea:  30

Total distance:         2010 nautical miles. 
                                 Average speed from berth to berth:  4.5 knots

Hours under way:         450
Hours motor sailing:    185  =   41%
Hours motoring:           150  =   33%
Hours sailing:               115  =   26%

Costs:-  Fuel consumption:   465 litres  =  £510
             Most expensive: Stonehaven - 153.9 pence per litre
             Cheapest: Ardglass - 76 pence per litre.    Average 110 pence per litre

             Butane gas:  £50.98p

             Caledonian Canal one way transit:   £135.88p
             Crinan Canal within two weeks of Caledonian Canal: £67.34p
             Total:  £203.22p

             Marina fees:  £1783.05p
             Most expensive:  St. Katharine's Dock, London - £40.15p per night
             Cheapest:  Padstow, Cornwall - £13.43 per night.
             Average: £20 per night.

             Charts:   £200.75p

Crew:- Days on board

             Alex Tweddle (skipper):            110
             Robin Rostron (RNYC):               6          Blyth to Stonehaven
             Skipper (single handed):                8          Stonehaven to Lossiemouth
             Lizz Richardson (tallships):         11          Lossiemouth to Oban
             Skipper (single handed):                3          Oban
             Craig Whitehouse (RNYC):          7          Oban to Inverkip
             Jack Evans (RNYC):                    13          Inverkip to Holyhead
             Skipper (single handed):                 1          Holyhead
             Bill Edwards (tallships):              18          Holyhead to Helford River
             Rob Hewett (tallships):                  4          Helford River to Dartmouth
             Skipper (single handed):                 8          Dartmouth to Hamble
             Bill Edwards (tallships):              16          Hamble to London
             Jack Evans (RNYC):                    15          London to Blyth

North Shields to Blyth - Days 109 ;110

North Shields to Blyth - Sunday 28th August/Monday 29th August 2011 - Days 109;110

On Sunday, sailing was cancelled with the weather forcast of west to north west winds of force 5 to 7 occasionally 8. 

With the winding easing on the Bank Holiday Monday to force 4 to 5 from the same direction we prepared for the final leg.

North Tyne Pier

We were in the Royal Quays marina lock at 14.30 and quickly into the River Tyne but before leaving the piers the mainsail was hoisted as a steadying sail at the Groyne, South Shields.  The waves breaking over the north pier, at near to high tide were spectacular.  The seas were big as we crossed the bar at 15.00 and headed north westerly for Blyth.
The sea was in a confused state with a 2 to 2.5 metre swell which appeared to be coming from two different directions and forming every now and again pyramid waves.  Selene as usual had little problems as she slid her way up and over the swell.

North Blyth Pier

At the top of the tide we entered our home port of Blyth.  The wind turbines on the pier are a welcoming sight and we turned into the South Harbour onto a pontoon at the Royal Northumberland Yacht Club at 17.30.  We had  completed the circumnavigation of the UK.  A remarkable journey with friends, without whom this would not of been possible.  I learnt a lot about friendship and the respect they should be given.
On such a journey, your number one friend is the tide and used correctly will ease the hours of passage making.

Back home

To personnel friends who gave the most precious thing they can give, their time, in helping making this journey, my sincere thanks and hope they enjoyed their time on Selene. To all those friends for their support, a big thank you.  Although the adventure is complete, others have asked about facts and figures which are not fully shown in the story.  These will follow later but in the meantime let me reflect on my adventure. For all those who are thinking or dreaming of such journeys, the answer is to go for it, if we can do it, why not you.
Every story has a title which I have left to the end.


                                   SAILING WITH FRIENDS

Hartlepool to North Shields - Day 108

Hartlepool to North Shields - Saturday 27th August 2011 - Day 108

Lock out

We left early at 07.00 to catch the last lock before low water and headed into Tees Bay.  It was a grey morning with drizzle with a swell on the sea, the main was hoisted as a steadying sail and without much wind, we round The Heugh and headed north.  Further up the coast is Sunderland and we went into the marina for a lunch time break and were tied up for 11.30.  A walk round to the Sunderland yacht club. Here we had a most enjoyable bacon buttie and a cup of tea.  The club was holding its annual regatta and we watched from their wonderful advantage point in their well appointed club house, as ten yachts went out for the races.

Stadium of Light Football Stadium

We left the marina at 13.00 and motored up the river with the  mainsail set. Past the glass work exhibition centre and under the Monkwearmouth road and rail bridges. Further on until we arrived at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland's football ground which I had never before seen from the river.  It had been a half an hour run from the marina and we turned here and headed back for the sea, passing the yachts outside the piers enjoying their racing.

Souter Point Lighthouse

Between the river Wear and Tyne is the imposing lighthouse at Souter Point.  It is no longer in use but has a well appointed visitors centre.  Off  here there is a firing range which is marked at sea by two yellow buoys.  If they are firing red flags are flown on the shore and red lights at night and announcements given on the VHF.  Another guide, if there are cows in the field they are not firing, if no cows in the field, they are firing.

Leading Marks

We entered the Tyne piers at 15.45 and kept outside the shipping channel as a container ship made its way out to sea.  The leading marks into the river are very conspicuous though they are no longer lit and known as the high and low lights.
Past the fish quay and the new development at the old dry docks you come to and lock in at the Royal Quays marina, we were all tied up for 16.30.

  


Not being too far from home, Jack went home for his car and at night we went across the river through the new tunnel to South Shields.  The Trimmer's Arms had stopped serving meals, the Mill Dam restaurant would not serve us, so it was old faithful to the Woody Wouldhave for a Weatherspoon's scampi and chips.  Moving onto the Rose & Crown this was really packed, all enjoying themselves with very good live music.  Back on the boat we reflected on being nearly home.

Hartlepool - Day 107

Hartlepool - Friday 26th August 2011 - Day 107

Today it started raining at 09.00 and continued for a further twelve hours from drizzle to downpours called persistent.

Locks sculpture

This is a sculpture which sits outside the marina lock office depicting an event in Hartlepool's past.  For those who do not know the story.  Many years ago during a battle at sea we had with johnny foreigner. There invasion fleet was beaten in the english channel. For those ships who escaped, the prevailing wind took them up into the north sea and in an ensuing gale one ship was wrecked off Hartlepool.  The only survivor being a monkey, who was captured and no one having seen one before and could not understand what it was saying.  The monkey was put on trial, convicted of being a spy and hanged.  You have to be careful whom you accuse of being a monkey hanger in Hartlepool, as some get a little upset. 
The sequel to this story, when it came to elect a mayor for the town, the football team mascot stood up for the election dressed in his usual match day monkey suit and he won the election.  It is magic, the people of Hartlepool voted for the monkey to be their Lord Mayor and he has been voted in for a second time, great.

Hartlepool Maritime Experience

The biggest attraction is the maritime experience museum within the marina docks with the oldest British warship still afloat 'Trincomalee' built in 1817 being the main feature.  Alongside the quay if the paddle steamer Wingfield Castle which used to run on the Humber.

At night, a taxi took us to Weatherspoon's King John's tavern for what I hope is my last meal in this establishment of a steak and ale pie.  Next door at the Yates pub was not very good, so we walked back to the marina in the dry and visited Rosie O'Grady's which was in full swing.  This very lively pub was closed by midnight and the residents in the nearby flats must not be very pleased, if this is happening most weekends.  Thank you Hartlepool for my experience, because it is different from other marinas.

Whitby to Hartlepool - Day 106

Whitby to Hartlepool - Thursday 25th August 2011 - Day 106

Whitby Harbour

It had rained heavily during the night but by 09.00 it was easing off while Jack went off to do the shopping in the nearby Co-op.  We waited for the bridge to open at noon with the holiday makers lined up on both sides of the river. They watched and sent off the little convoy of yachts passing through the bridge.  The wind was variable and light though the day was sunny.  The engine was not going to get a rest today.  This part of Yorkshire continues with its cliffs and their own rugged charm.  The fields and farms above seem to have a wonderful advantage with their views over the sea.

Staithes

Ten miles north of Whitby is the little fishing village of Staithes.  This has happy memoirs for me, for as a child with the school, we used to come here for our summer holidays. Staying at an old army camp at the top of the village.  I took Selene in as close as I could to the north breakwater, as it was here where I caught my first fish, all those years ago.  One of its attractions are there are no cars allowed in the village, one has to park at the top and for the exercise, it is a walk down and return up a steep hill.

Hartlepool Inshore Lifeboat

Crossing Tees Bay we counted twelve large ships at anchor waiting orders for entering this industrialised port with its large steel, oil and chemical plants.  While making our approach to Hartlepool the inshore lifeboat came up to us and requested with two trainees on board, if they could practice coming alongside.  Not a problem, we maintained our speed as she came up alongside in a following sea and kept nudging us off course.  Popeye (auto-helm) was not having any of this as he attempted to knock them back.  It was a privilege helping out and the lifeboat men left with a grateful wave.


Inside the piers at 18.30 and five minutes later we were in the lock and met by the cheerful lock master who directed us to our berth and we were all finished by 19.00.
Ashore to the Showroom where I watched the end of Newcastle's football game against Scunthorpe, then moved onto the King John's Tavern which brought the day to a successful end.

Scarborough to Whitby - Day 105

Scarborough to Whitby - Wednesday 24th August 2011 - Day 105

We left the pontoon in Scarborough old harbour at 09.45 and came out with the 707 boats to finish off their championship with the last two races.  Conditions were better for them with a clear sunny day, slight sea and a southerly breeze.  We quickly had our sails up and headed north.

Whitby coble

Nearing Whitby we came across lots of fishing pots and here is a photo of another type of fishing boat and this one was lying a net.  At least the net had floats on the top and you can see the little white balls bobbing up and down.  The coast line changes into the cliffs of where at the top of Whitby high stands the lighthouse.  Around here there are lots of wrecks and divers come to explore but have to be very careful for there are strong currents around the headland.

Whitby piers

At 14.00 called the marina for clearance and was informed the swing bridge would be opening at 14.20 and the next opening after that would be at 23.00.  Full speed through the piers and you enter this wonderful harbour which was packed with visitors walking along the quaysides.  This has always been a magnet for the holiday makers who are enthralled by the wonderful setting. The local fishing boats who are still at work and the many shops selling local produce.
We made it through the bridge and were safely tied up for 14.30 on the visitors pontoon.  The improvements made to the marina are excellent with the newly opened facilities block being the main feature.

Swing Bridge

Whitby was holding its annual folk music festival which was an added bonus.  First into the Ship where in both the front and back bars music was being played.  It was most enjoyable watching and listening as all kinds of different musicians. They wandered in and out, if they wanted to join in, out came their instrument and they would begin playing.  The main culinery attraction here is fish and chips and we went to the famous Magpie cafe and we were not disappointed.  Without a doubt the finest fish supper I had eaten during my trip round the UK.  A walk over the bridge brought us into the Shambles, as by its name, it was not the best.

Quayside

Normality was restored in the Board where more good music was to be heard.  We finished off in the Black Horse which proved and excellent choice with the same format of music in the front and back bars.  The back was full of musicians and even clog dancers, amazing to watch, while the front was singers. These were great and we all joined in the merriment.  On board, I have a banjo and it proved I should of been practicing more on the trip, as even I may have been allowed to join in, though my teacher would of said, no.
Returning to the marina we were held up by the now open swing bridge to let visiting yachts pass through.  We were not alone waiting and within the crowd the young ones began singing a little dittie and we all joined in.  What shall we do with the drunken sailor. What shall we with the drunken sailor. What shall we do with the drunken sailor.  Earlie in the morning.  Very apt.

Scarborough - Day 104

Scarborough - Tuesday 23rd August 2011 - Day 104

We moved the boat in the morning onto the visitors pontoon and the rain/drizzle came in the afternoon.

Scarborough

Scarborough is a very popular sea side resort with lots of day visitors keeping children occupied in these weather conditions must be very tasking as they cannot spend all the time in amusement arcades.  Jack went off shopping while I stay on board in the dry, blogging.
At night, the rain eased off and ashore to the quayside Newcastle Packet pub which is full of photographs of the old fishing boats and pictures of the characters who must of been regulars in the pub.
A walk up the hill brings you into the centre of the town where we found Lord Roseberry a Weatherspoons pub where we had an excellent Aberdeen angus steak. 

Castle Keep

On our way back we passed a very lively pub and went inside the Merchant.  The sailors inside were taking part in the 707 national sailing championship and holding their party after completing four races that day in the rain. It was all very friendly as we exchanged our sailing experiences but not to be outdone when it was time to leave, we were invited to a nightclub.  Off we went and the party continued, it was just like the old days for me and Jack.  The taxi back in the wee hours safely returned us to our boat after a memorable night ashore.