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Au revoir Calais |
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| Everyone was up early this morning to exit the Marina. The bridge was opening every hour from 0615 so we decided to get the 0815 (0715 BST) slot. | ||||||
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The reason for the early start was to try and beat the weather as the sea is normally a bit calmer in the evenings and mornings before the sun heats up the land. It was certainly a good move as we covered the first 25 miles in 90 minutes. Then the winds started! |
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| The remaining 35 miles journey was looking rather lumpy. We decided to alter course, head for Dungeness and then follow the coastline to Eastbourne. However, when we arrived at Dungeness we found out that there was range firing. So back out to sea for three miles and then change course. | ||||||
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During this time the wind caught the ship's cat's hat and off it flew! | |||||
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He was on the helm at the time and leant back on the seat, which then
gave way, and off he went a**e over t*t! During this performance he cut two of his fingers. So Smudger gets out the first aid kit (yes I do carry one) and bandaged his hands. His two nieces would be proud of him. |
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How did he do this? |
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We soldiered on, fighting the rolling seas and making slow progress to
our destination.
However, when we eventually arrived at Eastbourne, we decided that as time was on our side, it would only take us another hour to reach Newhaven. |
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It would mean rounding Beachy Head, but the advantage would be that we would have a clear view of the following coastline, making it easier for the next stage of our journey. | ||||
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Ray taking Andy's place |
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Beachy Head |
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 At this time we decided also to fill up with our reserve fuel. This proved an interesting experience I can tell you - but a necessary one. A 70 mile journey had taken a massive 114! So then it is into Newhaven. Nice place. |
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Once inside the harbour and moored alongside, I decided to open the
cabin door and assess what damage we had incurred. Oops!
The fridge door
had come off, there was bedding, charts and shoes .......... floating!
So the crew started
pumping..... out the water that is, not as a result of all the turmoil
mixed with last night's beans ......while I checked for the source.
I discovered that a hose had come
off the toilet intake valve. It is a real relief when you know the
problem isn't serious and is easily fixed. The engines are
checked, the seat is fixed, and we are ready to go again. Tomorrow, as they say, is another day! |
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So far, we've navigated a total of 441 since leaving The Royal Quays. Andy is just back from hospital. His fingers are nicely bandaged. Apologies to the aging DJ, we got his email too late to get him his booze at Calais. The amount he asked for, poor man obviously has a problem. |
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That'll teach him! |
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Finally, we heard from the Bilgerat who tells us he never slept last night for worrying about being accused of eating the pork pies. He assures us that in his days it was always the ship's cat that was to blame. He's wondering if Andy's damaged fingers are really a result of an accident......... or did we catch him at it!
The Skipper |
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