Today we left Hartlepool marina, via the lock, at 0900. It was sunny, although we knew the rain was belting down elsewhere over much of England. Exiting the lock we were a little surprised by the magnitude of the swell that we had to negotiate. There was very little wind, but swell around 1.5 to 2m made interesting boat motion and for a while several crew wondered what they had let themselves in for! Gradually however the swell decreased and 2 hours later things had improved considerably. Jim and Lisa each took a turn on the helm (Lisa had a 'blonde' moment when, noting the helm's display, she informed us the sea was 25 miles deep; we explained to her that perhaps it was really only 25 meters deep and we all smiled!). Off Sunderland we decided that the wind had increased sufficiently to enable us to sail. There were several other sailing boats around and several small dinghies sailed around us; an air display was also taking place over Sunderland which was great entertainment for us. Another yacht, Romteskip, was heading for Newcastle too (I didn't think we were racing it, but as it became apparent that we were the faster vessel I realised that after all we WERE racing!). Later we found ourselves alongside Romteskip in the lock when we entered Royal Quays marina too, about 2 miles up the river Tyne. Soon after we tied up the rain started! It looks like it might be here for 2 days! Looks like we might be too!
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| Jim and his son James keep a look out |
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| Lisa at the helm |
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| The headland south of Newcastle |
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| Woolcool. Cool! |
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| Salmon and leek pie, courtesy of Woolcool, and prepared by Jim! Yum yum! Thank you Woolcool! |
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