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