Lossiemouth - Thursday 19th May 2011 - Day 17
I had spent the past week every evening working out the tides for the Inverness Firth and now it was going to be put into practice. The weather forcast was not very favourable but the decision was made to go and left the pontoon at 12.00
At sea hoisted the main only with 2 reefs and motor sailed. The tide changed against us at 15.00 and the wind began to increase contary to the forcast. Little progress was being made against the wind and
tide as we tacked across the Firth by 17.00 I called Findhorn for possible shelter without the boat alongside drying out which was possible. Lizz being made of stronger stuff said no to finding shelter and wanted to carry on regardless, so we did.
From here it starts to become worse and spent an hour stemming the tide with ever increasing gusts and spray coming over the boat. To see past the sprayhood I had to sit on the cockpit coaming being more exposed the waves were hitting me as they came on board. It was remarked it was like the making of the old time movies as they throw buckets of water at the actors to simulate getting wet, I was getting very wet.
By 18.30 we were passing the South Cardinal Mark off the Riff Bank, the wind was still increasing and the passage through Fort George and Chanonry Point was horrendous. When into the Inveness Firth, the fuel tank was topped up as Lizz took over the helm and was better at steering than the skipper or popeye (auto-helm) as she took her under the Kessock bridge as the light was fading. At the entrance to the marina were were escorted by two harbour porpoises and by 22.30 were safe on the pontoon. I finished off the whiskey at the end of one hell of a day.
Wednesday, 15 June 2011
Sunday, 12 June 2011
Lossiemouth - Days 15,16
Lossiemouth - Tuesday 17th May 2011 - Day 15
09.00 Ashore for breakfast in the Harbour Lights then into the office for a chat with Harbour Master, the engine parts arrived at 11.45. What a wonderful service considering they were ordered at 16.15 the day before from Poole in Dorset.
Walked to the Co-op on the other side of town and stopped at the Beach Bar for lunch.
While I fitted the new engine parts and replenised oils and ran successful trials, Lizz went off to do the shops. Went to the 1629 restaurant at night for haddock and chips.
Lossiemouth - Wednesday 18th May 2011 - Day 16
09.00 Ashore for breakfast in the Harbour Lights, the Harbour Master gave me the weather for the forthcoming week which was not very promising though there was a small window possible the next day.
The local fisherman who I met everyday told me I had been in Lossiemouth that long he had been in touch with the council to put me on the housing list and I was in the top ten.
Jimmy the marine engineer had purchased a new battery charger for me and checked the running of the engine after another successful trial.
A tri-maran from Holyhead arrived with Malcolm on board doing a clockwise circum-navigation of the U.K. and passed on good information.
09.00 Ashore for breakfast in the Harbour Lights then into the office for a chat with Harbour Master, the engine parts arrived at 11.45. What a wonderful service considering they were ordered at 16.15 the day before from Poole in Dorset.
Walked to the Co-op on the other side of town and stopped at the Beach Bar for lunch.
While I fitted the new engine parts and replenised oils and ran successful trials, Lizz went off to do the shops. Went to the 1629 restaurant at night for haddock and chips.
Lossiemouth - Wednesday 18th May 2011 - Day 16
09.00 Ashore for breakfast in the Harbour Lights, the Harbour Master gave me the weather for the forthcoming week which was not very promising though there was a small window possible the next day.
The local fisherman who I met everyday told me I had been in Lossiemouth that long he had been in touch with the council to put me on the housing list and I was in the top ten.
Jimmy the marine engineer had purchased a new battery charger for me and checked the running of the engine after another successful trial.
A tri-maran from Holyhead arrived with Malcolm on board doing a clockwise circum-navigation of the U.K. and passed on good information.
Lossiemouth - Day 14
Lossiemouth - Monday 16th June 2011 - Day14
07.45 Engine no start, John from motor cruiser lent me his boost start and found 2nd stage fuel filter very dirty and changed for new one, changed 1st stage filter and satisfactory.
08.45 Left pontoon and outside piers set 2 reefs on main and No.2 jib in South West wind force 4/5.
11.00 The auto-helm was unable to handle the heavy conditions and had been hand steering for an hour when the engine high temperature alarm sounded. Stopped the engine then the fuel pump stop coil began smoking and burnt out.
Attempt to hold the yacht in position by backing the foresail; this did not work and the yacht was spinning like a top, so dropped the jib and aborted the trip to Inverness.
Began the run back to Lossiemouth and checked the engine water pump impeller and primed the system, engine started and arrived back on same pontoon at 13.00; very relieved.
The problems were due to the following:
1. Engine overheating, on port tack and heavily heeled over lost sea suction which is on the port side.
2. Stop coil burnt out, the bent engine ignition key jammed in stop position supplying power to coil.
3. Unable to hove to, the No.2 jib has a high cut on the foot and in these conditions was useless.
4. Auto-helm, in heavy conditions the unit tends to jump off the tiller pin.
The next crew member, Lizz Richardson from the Tallships was due to join in Inverness and called her informing of the situation before her flight was due to leave Soughtampton. She agreed to carry on. Phoned Andy Miller to obtain Bukh engine spares department, spoke to their engineer Norman Griffers and ordered stop coil with bolts, ignition keys and fuel filter, for hopefully next day delivery.
Met local marine engineer Jimmy Watt who attepted to track down a stop coil and loaned me his battery charger as mine had just thrown its hand in.
21.00 Lizz arrived by taxi from Inverness and went to the Royal Naval Association to relate the day's events and I was all for packing it all in but things were to turn out differently.
07.45 Engine no start, John from motor cruiser lent me his boost start and found 2nd stage fuel filter very dirty and changed for new one, changed 1st stage filter and satisfactory.
08.45 Left pontoon and outside piers set 2 reefs on main and No.2 jib in South West wind force 4/5.
11.00 The auto-helm was unable to handle the heavy conditions and had been hand steering for an hour when the engine high temperature alarm sounded. Stopped the engine then the fuel pump stop coil began smoking and burnt out.
Attempt to hold the yacht in position by backing the foresail; this did not work and the yacht was spinning like a top, so dropped the jib and aborted the trip to Inverness.
Began the run back to Lossiemouth and checked the engine water pump impeller and primed the system, engine started and arrived back on same pontoon at 13.00; very relieved.
The problems were due to the following:
1. Engine overheating, on port tack and heavily heeled over lost sea suction which is on the port side.
2. Stop coil burnt out, the bent engine ignition key jammed in stop position supplying power to coil.
3. Unable to hove to, the No.2 jib has a high cut on the foot and in these conditions was useless.
4. Auto-helm, in heavy conditions the unit tends to jump off the tiller pin.
The next crew member, Lizz Richardson from the Tallships was due to join in Inverness and called her informing of the situation before her flight was due to leave Soughtampton. She agreed to carry on. Phoned Andy Miller to obtain Bukh engine spares department, spoke to their engineer Norman Griffers and ordered stop coil with bolts, ignition keys and fuel filter, for hopefully next day delivery.
Met local marine engineer Jimmy Watt who attepted to track down a stop coil and loaned me his battery charger as mine had just thrown its hand in.
21.00 Lizz arrived by taxi from Inverness and went to the Royal Naval Association to relate the day's events and I was all for packing it all in but things were to turn out differently.
Thursday, 9 June 2011
Lossiemouth - Days 11;12;13
Friday 13th May 2011 - Day 11
Purchased 16 ltrs of fuel from local garage at £1/litre, the cheapest price so far.
Harbour Master (Ian White) office to pay marina fees and use the wi-fi connection as very poor on the yacht and received weather forcasts. Walked to Co-op supermarket and around town. Washed and scrubbed yacht topsides and coachroof. Meal on board pasty and beans.
In evening along to Beach Bar and watched Rugby League match then onto Royal Naval Association (all visiting yachtsmen are guests of the Harbour Master). Upstairs they were holding the local area Ladies Darts Championship and was packed went to the bar to meet the locals.
Saturday 14th May 2011 - Day 12
Tidal calculations for the Inverness were all worked out and a distance from Lossiemouth of 30 miles.
The weather forcast was very poor and all of it coming from the direction I wanted to go and after checking the sea state over the harbour wall, sailing was aborted, so off to the Harbout Lights cafe for a full Scottish breakfast.
In afternoon went to the Royal Naval Association and watch the English Cup Final then onto the Beach Bar for a scampi meal before returning to the yacht. The evening weather forcast showed no improvement and stayed aboard and for the first time out came the banjo for a practice.
Sunday 15th May 2011 - Day 13
Called Aberdeen Coast Guard for the up to date weather forcast still no improvement. Chat with local fisherman from boat 'Storma' informed of having to punch the seas all the way South by 12.00 the wind was easing down but it was too late,as the tides would be missed in the Inverness Firth so sailing was oncemore aborted.
A motor cruiser 'Bloody Mary' arrived from Peterhead with John the skipper (from Jarrow on Tyneside) an ex-Royal Navy aircraft engineer who had brought his boat to Lossiemouth for a lift out and a weeks work to be done in the dockside shed. He gave me a print out of the next week's weather which was not very encouraging.
My portable battery charger had packed its hand in, so had to run the engine to charge up my batteries. Spent the night on board with more banjo practice.
Purchased 16 ltrs of fuel from local garage at £1/litre, the cheapest price so far.
Harbour Master (Ian White) office to pay marina fees and use the wi-fi connection as very poor on the yacht and received weather forcasts. Walked to Co-op supermarket and around town. Washed and scrubbed yacht topsides and coachroof. Meal on board pasty and beans.
In evening along to Beach Bar and watched Rugby League match then onto Royal Naval Association (all visiting yachtsmen are guests of the Harbour Master). Upstairs they were holding the local area Ladies Darts Championship and was packed went to the bar to meet the locals.
Saturday 14th May 2011 - Day 12
Tidal calculations for the Inverness were all worked out and a distance from Lossiemouth of 30 miles.
The weather forcast was very poor and all of it coming from the direction I wanted to go and after checking the sea state over the harbour wall, sailing was aborted, so off to the Harbout Lights cafe for a full Scottish breakfast.
In afternoon went to the Royal Naval Association and watch the English Cup Final then onto the Beach Bar for a scampi meal before returning to the yacht. The evening weather forcast showed no improvement and stayed aboard and for the first time out came the banjo for a practice.
Sunday 15th May 2011 - Day 13
Called Aberdeen Coast Guard for the up to date weather forcast still no improvement. Chat with local fisherman from boat 'Storma' informed of having to punch the seas all the way South by 12.00 the wind was easing down but it was too late,as the tides would be missed in the Inverness Firth so sailing was oncemore aborted.
A motor cruiser 'Bloody Mary' arrived from Peterhead with John the skipper (from Jarrow on Tyneside) an ex-Royal Navy aircraft engineer who had brought his boat to Lossiemouth for a lift out and a weeks work to be done in the dockside shed. He gave me a print out of the next week's weather which was not very encouraging.
My portable battery charger had packed its hand in, so had to run the engine to charge up my batteries. Spent the night on board with more banjo practice.
Tuesday, 7 June 2011
Whitehills to Lossiemouth - Days 9,10
Whitehills - Wednesday 11th May 2011 - Day 9
08.00 left Peterhead marina and by 08.15 through the piers and set sails, 2 reefs in main with preventer and No.2 jib. The lighter winds still came from the South with a slight swell the visibility was very good.
I had been given lots of local information on how to pass Rattary Head with its unpredictable sea state as shallow patches extend far out to sea and where tidal currents meet. By 10.00 I passed 4.6 miles miles off Rattary Head, the big ships passed inside my course while a large trawler slid close by as it worked the currents and laid it's nets.
12.15 passed 1 mile off Frazerburgh Kinnard Lighthouse and now round the corner and following the Moray Firth coastline. This became a very satisfying sail, past the headlands with villages either side in the bays clinging to the shore with a background of very green soft rolling hills. The main shipping had disappeared so to the lobster pots as only a few small boats were to be seen. This idyllic scene would be interrupted by heavy hailstone showers.
16.30 arrived at Whitehills with the Harbour Master Bertie Milne waiting on the end of the pier to guide me in and took my lines at the outer harbour pontoon. Another 35 miles had been completed.
Ashore in both pubs 'Cutters' and 'Shieldfield' were not serving meals so went to the cafe and had a very nice fish supper. Within the Harbour Master's building there is a visiting crew's amenities room which is very well appointed with intenet access and began trying to get to grips with my netbook. Old photographs of Whitehills show it once as a thriving fishing port while Bertie told his tales of his many happy years as a fisherman. It is now a very busy port for visiting yachtsmen on passage to and from the Caledonian Canal.
Lossiemouth - Thursday 12th May - Day 10
09.00 left Whitehills and set the same sail combination but as the wind veered from south to west continued with main alone and engine. Heavy rain squalls were now affecting visibility passing 2 miles off Buckie piers at 13.00
For the next two hours within Spey Bay the heavy rain squalls and increasing wind gusts I began tacking across them to make any headway, luckily there was plenty of sea room. I was very relieved when I entered Lossiemouth piers at low water and Selene went on the putty going into the west basin, she slide herself off with an increase in engine power.
Ashore in the 'Steamboat Inn' I was directed to the 1649 restaurant for a meal, soup was very good though the prawns cooked and presented in their shells were a bit of a challenge.
08.00 left Peterhead marina and by 08.15 through the piers and set sails, 2 reefs in main with preventer and No.2 jib. The lighter winds still came from the South with a slight swell the visibility was very good.
I had been given lots of local information on how to pass Rattary Head with its unpredictable sea state as shallow patches extend far out to sea and where tidal currents meet. By 10.00 I passed 4.6 miles miles off Rattary Head, the big ships passed inside my course while a large trawler slid close by as it worked the currents and laid it's nets.
12.15 passed 1 mile off Frazerburgh Kinnard Lighthouse and now round the corner and following the Moray Firth coastline. This became a very satisfying sail, past the headlands with villages either side in the bays clinging to the shore with a background of very green soft rolling hills. The main shipping had disappeared so to the lobster pots as only a few small boats were to be seen. This idyllic scene would be interrupted by heavy hailstone showers.
16.30 arrived at Whitehills with the Harbour Master Bertie Milne waiting on the end of the pier to guide me in and took my lines at the outer harbour pontoon. Another 35 miles had been completed.
Ashore in both pubs 'Cutters' and 'Shieldfield' were not serving meals so went to the cafe and had a very nice fish supper. Within the Harbour Master's building there is a visiting crew's amenities room which is very well appointed with intenet access and began trying to get to grips with my netbook. Old photographs of Whitehills show it once as a thriving fishing port while Bertie told his tales of his many happy years as a fisherman. It is now a very busy port for visiting yachtsmen on passage to and from the Caledonian Canal.
Lossiemouth - Thursday 12th May - Day 10
09.00 left Whitehills and set the same sail combination but as the wind veered from south to west continued with main alone and engine. Heavy rain squalls were now affecting visibility passing 2 miles off Buckie piers at 13.00
For the next two hours within Spey Bay the heavy rain squalls and increasing wind gusts I began tacking across them to make any headway, luckily there was plenty of sea room. I was very relieved when I entered Lossiemouth piers at low water and Selene went on the putty going into the west basin, she slide herself off with an increase in engine power.
Ashore in the 'Steamboat Inn' I was directed to the 1649 restaurant for a meal, soup was very good though the prawns cooked and presented in their shells were a bit of a challenge.
Monday, 6 June 2011
Stonehaven to Peterhead - Days 6,7,8
Stonehaven - Sunday 8th May 2011 - Day 6
With a large swell in the bay and 'Selene' still ranging alongside the quay, the Harbour Master Jim Brown advised not to sail and after calling Peterhead for their local weather forcast the sailing was aborted.
Another vessel on the adjacent quay 'Montiverdi' a 20 ton motor cruiser from Hartlepool with her mooring lines had pulled out her stern samson post from the deck due to the violent motion while alongside. A local fisherman seeing how 'Selene' was reacting to the harbour swell offered additional heavy round fenders which were very much appreciated.
Robin going ashore in the very wet conditions slipped as he entered the local cafe and aggravated a previous injury to his left ankle. He was taken to the local hospital by the Harbour Master's son James where they advised X-ray at the Aberdeen hospital. It was decided Robin could no longer continue the voyage and his gear was packed and James took him to the main hospital. I am now single handed.
Stonehaven - Monday 9th May 2011 - Day 7
An early rise 05.30 to check the swell within the bay and after discussions with the Harbour Master and skipper of 'Montiverdi' it was decided to sail with the motor cruiser shadowing me so far up the coast.
Left at 07.00 and rigged 2 reefs in the main and hoisted the No.2 jib with a preventer on the boom to stop an unexpected gybe as we rolled our way north in the swell. By 10.00 were 2.5 miles off Girdle Ness and commenced the passage across Aberdeen bay where 14 ships lay at anchor, each one was identified on the AIS which was very assuring. By 13.00 were on the approach to Peterhead and 2 miles out called port control who gave instructions on how to enter the marina and advised to call back 5 minutes before passing through the main pier entrance which seemed a strange request for a yacht. At 14.00 alongside the marina pontoon and I had completed my first 30 miles single handed voyage.
It was a 20 minute walk to the town centre with a very welcoming Weatherspoons for a good meal and beer.
Peterhead - Tuesday 10th May - Day 8
Decided to sort out a few problems while in Peterhead. My netbook to communicate with everyone was not working so a friendly computer shop were asked to assist and eventually found the dongle was at fault and a new one purchased. While now able to send/receive emails, the blog site which was supposed to be set up was not working.
The yacht engine start key had been bent and new ones were made but would not work when tested. Andy Miller my back up and mentor in Blyth was contacted who would try to get new/used keys to me.
Opportunity was taken to use the near by caravan park laundry facilities. Marina manager drove me to exchange gas bottle and fill up the spare fuel containers. A satisfying day.
With a large swell in the bay and 'Selene' still ranging alongside the quay, the Harbour Master Jim Brown advised not to sail and after calling Peterhead for their local weather forcast the sailing was aborted.
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| Stonehaven |
Another vessel on the adjacent quay 'Montiverdi' a 20 ton motor cruiser from Hartlepool with her mooring lines had pulled out her stern samson post from the deck due to the violent motion while alongside. A local fisherman seeing how 'Selene' was reacting to the harbour swell offered additional heavy round fenders which were very much appreciated.
Robin going ashore in the very wet conditions slipped as he entered the local cafe and aggravated a previous injury to his left ankle. He was taken to the local hospital by the Harbour Master's son James where they advised X-ray at the Aberdeen hospital. It was decided Robin could no longer continue the voyage and his gear was packed and James took him to the main hospital. I am now single handed.
Stonehaven - Monday 9th May 2011 - Day 7
An early rise 05.30 to check the swell within the bay and after discussions with the Harbour Master and skipper of 'Montiverdi' it was decided to sail with the motor cruiser shadowing me so far up the coast.
Left at 07.00 and rigged 2 reefs in the main and hoisted the No.2 jib with a preventer on the boom to stop an unexpected gybe as we rolled our way north in the swell. By 10.00 were 2.5 miles off Girdle Ness and commenced the passage across Aberdeen bay where 14 ships lay at anchor, each one was identified on the AIS which was very assuring. By 13.00 were on the approach to Peterhead and 2 miles out called port control who gave instructions on how to enter the marina and advised to call back 5 minutes before passing through the main pier entrance which seemed a strange request for a yacht. At 14.00 alongside the marina pontoon and I had completed my first 30 miles single handed voyage.
It was a 20 minute walk to the town centre with a very welcoming Weatherspoons for a good meal and beer.
Peterhead - Tuesday 10th May - Day 8
Decided to sort out a few problems while in Peterhead. My netbook to communicate with everyone was not working so a friendly computer shop were asked to assist and eventually found the dongle was at fault and a new one purchased. While now able to send/receive emails, the blog site which was supposed to be set up was not working.
The yacht engine start key had been bent and new ones were made but would not work when tested. Andy Miller my back up and mentor in Blyth was contacted who would try to get new/used keys to me.
Opportunity was taken to use the near by caravan park laundry facilities. Marina manager drove me to exchange gas bottle and fill up the spare fuel containers. A satisfying day.
Wednesday, 1 June 2011
Dundee to Stonehaven - Day 4; Day 5
Dundee - 6th May 2011 - Day 4
After late wake up call phoned RTYC for the possibility of a boat ashore and informed we were on the wrong mooring buoy and had to move. Spoke to one of the club members (who incidently was going to Blyth for East Coast week in July) who gave very good information on crossing the River Tay bar and the berthing at Tayport across the river.
At 13.00 left the mooring buoy and crossed to Tayport and moored alongside another yacht who gave excellent information on the port of Peterhead.
We were then directed to the quay wall by the stand-by marina manager for a night stay and to sit in the soft mud at low water.
Ashore to Cobbies bar then the Bell Rock tavern for a meal, this pub contains lots of historical photos of the port.
Stonehaven - 7th May - Day 5
To act upon the information given on the River Tay bar left Tayport at 04.30 and at 05.10 passed the south cardinal mark with 2 reefs in the main, motor-sailing and when out of the Tay we were very relieved. By 08.00 passing Arbroath and began finding our way around the numerous lobster pot markers. Trying to sail became impossible as the wind died and motored past Scurdie Ness and Tor Head point. At 17.30 arrived at Stonehaven and tied up against the harbour wall in a heavy swell and were advised by the Harbour Master to run out long mooring lines.
Ashore for a beautiful meal in the Ship Inn but spent sleepless night on board ranging along the quay wall.
After late wake up call phoned RTYC for the possibility of a boat ashore and informed we were on the wrong mooring buoy and had to move. Spoke to one of the club members (who incidently was going to Blyth for East Coast week in July) who gave very good information on crossing the River Tay bar and the berthing at Tayport across the river.
At 13.00 left the mooring buoy and crossed to Tayport and moored alongside another yacht who gave excellent information on the port of Peterhead.
We were then directed to the quay wall by the stand-by marina manager for a night stay and to sit in the soft mud at low water.
Ashore to Cobbies bar then the Bell Rock tavern for a meal, this pub contains lots of historical photos of the port.
Stonehaven - 7th May - Day 5
To act upon the information given on the River Tay bar left Tayport at 04.30 and at 05.10 passed the south cardinal mark with 2 reefs in the main, motor-sailing and when out of the Tay we were very relieved. By 08.00 passing Arbroath and began finding our way around the numerous lobster pot markers. Trying to sail became impossible as the wind died and motored past Scurdie Ness and Tor Head point. At 17.30 arrived at Stonehaven and tied up against the harbour wall in a heavy swell and were advised by the Harbour Master to run out long mooring lines.
Ashore for a beautiful meal in the Ship Inn but spent sleepless night on board ranging along the quay wall.
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