Eastbourne and Dover

The more alert of you will have noticed that I did not post a report yesterday? The internet connection at Eastbourne was naff, so I wasn't able to. Anyway I would have told you that it was a pleasant sail to Eastbourne from Brighton, after some arguing with the wind to escape - the wind preferring to pin us to the marina pontoon. With the help of the bow-thruster we were able to escape however.

I would also have told you of what we did in Gosport - jobs. Roger went up the mast to clean the spreaders and attach halyards for courtesy flags. I also noted Mary Mouse 2 - a former lightship now a bar and shower block! There was also Medusa - small ship used to guide troops to Omaha beach in 1944.

A late meal in Eastbourne resulted in my stomach complaining again! Oww! At 2.30am, having been unable to sleep I got up to pace the gents toilets for 20 mins in the hope of improving my digestion. It seemed to work and I finally managed a bit of sleep - until woken by crew early in the morning. Roger left us to attend a family 'do' so we were just 3 up for the trip to Dover - me, Rob (promoted to 1st Mate) and Hastings. Although Rob seems to have recovered, my recovery is taking some time longer :-(

We left Eastbourne at 0915  with sunshine and a flat sea. By the time we reached Dover at 1730 conditions had deteriorated rather. It had become cold and cloudy, and the sea state was very uncomfortable. We were very pleased to enter Dover harbour.

After tying up in the marina we discovered that the drain on the holding tank is blocked. Great! (Not!)
Will try to sort that tomorrow before our planned passage to Ramsgate in the afternoon. Hopefully the sun will shine and the sea will be flat??

(The internet is not good here either and keeps dropping out before I can post photos, so I may have to post them later. I might be able to get some on the yacht's facebook page, so you might want to check that? https://www.facebook.com/yachtbluestar?ref=bookmarks)

Brighton

I was very sick in the early hours of this morning; I'm just getting over it now, but still have a sore stomach, no appetite and no energy. Hence we decided to stay in Brighton for another night, the rest of the crew went off to explore whilst I tried to summon energy to take a shower and clean the mess I had made in the heads.

Several of you have commented that the tracking device appears to show us ploughing a furrow over land rather than following a route through the sea. I have switched my phone to use the most accurate setting so hopefully this will sort out the problem, although it will use more battery power (but hopefully not enough to drain the phone before we complete a days sailing). Lets see how it works.

So what had we done in Gosport whilst waiting for the gales to pass?  various jobs. Roger went up the mast to clean the spreaders and to attach halyards so we could fly courtesy flags etc. We are now able to fly the SCCC burgee too - see photo. Also in Gosport are the light ship Mary Mouse 2, now a bar and shower block. The ship Medusa, used to guide landing craft to Omaha beach was also berthed there.

The trip to Brighton was very cold, and we had been grateful to get into the marina. We had absolutely blasted along under head-sail only, when the speed was measured as 11.5knots at one point we decided that maybe we had too much sail up, and took in a few rolls around the furler.

The nights have been particularly cold. Last night I 'slept' in all my clothes and a thick quilt, and was still not warm enough. Of course the problem may in part have been my illness, although Hastings was cold too.

Brighton marina have been great, giving us two free nights in the marina! Thank you Brighton marina!

Roger up the mast

SCCC burgee flying

Mary Mouse 2

the ship Medusa

About Medusa

We're in at last! !

Feel like I've been through a very cold washing machine.  All up and down and round, with a very cold following wind.

Eastbourne tomorrow perhaps.

Going......

It's sun shining and blowing a fair old wind, very cold. Another yacht left earlier to day with 3 reefs. We're planning to 'take a look' after lunch. If we don't like it we can of course return. Expecting F6 bitter cold winds and large waves, perhaps 3m. The good new is that the wind will be mostly from behind, and most of the trip will be in daylight. Our intended destination is Brighton. Seen enough of Gosport for now.

Report

Progress - none expected today
1 crew member  (Rob) ill  and sick with stomach infection. 1 crew (me) a bit dodgy.  Weather - gales and rain.  Outlook grim.
Who's idea was this?

We're off!

We finally set off from Hythe on time, after absolutely wonderful support from many well-wishers! Thank you everyone for coming to support us! It was brilliant! Thank you also to Nick Burton for buying everyone a celebratory after-dinner drink; it was very kind Nick; much appreciated! Lots of photos were taken by Cliff - thank you Cliff! You can also see some of the photos on the Blue Star Facebook site https://www.facebook.com/yachtbluestar?ref=bookmarks We had a good sail to Gosport - it was sunny, although the wind was cool.

Tomorrow sounds like a 'port day' with Gales forecast! :-( And rain! :-(

Thank you Haslar marina, for supporting our challenge and giving us a free marina berth. Much appreciated!

Track Blue Star in real time....

If you click on the 'Our track' page listed above, you will find that a map opens up which shows Blue Star's current position. (Strictly, it shows the position of my 'phone). I hope this will help you to follow our progress. Enjoy!