17th September - La Rochelle

Today we are surrounded by the Clipper round the World Race - 10 Yachts which set off from the Humber on the 13th September and the first came in at Lunchtime yesterday. All 10 are now in and they are all happily cleaning their boats. See little 'Piano' far left of image. The sun made a poor effort to come out but I despair.
A nice French chap had a look at the battery problem and is setting up the Marina to let us stay and get it done tomorrow.
I must say that all contacts with French people have been positive They are all (so far) VERY helpful -
Meanwhile Malcolm is looking into the VHF (yes another minor hiccup) but I expect that will be easily fixed - most things seem to get done by magic they seem to have there own agenda!
Now for the daily trek to the shops.
Sailor Sue

Departure from Falmouth UK 12th September

Friday was spent with our heads in the locker putting a new computer into the autohlem. even that didn't sort it so Gary left us to continue trying to find a solution late Friday afternoon.
On Saturday we decided to finish setting up the Radar so we went for a sail and lo the autohelm kicked into action once again (after all the fiddling on Friday) so I said why don't we just
go ? and since we were on the right course we just carried on.
So here we are in La Rochelle - poor internet but I'm being quick the
trip took 2 days and a few hours. We averaged 6 knots . Piano goes like a
train. Even fully reefed and no yankee 6 knots !
I was pretty seasick so Malcolm did it all singlehanded. The new wind
generator made aweful howling noises at windspeeds 30 + and I think it
is broken !
We tied up at the new Marina and had a bite to eat then I went to bed while Malcolm checked us in. He came back and said we had to go immediately ! to the old Marina so we upped and left!
Today we went to the Marina Office and they have moved us again but we can stay for a day or two. It is the La Rochelle Boat show this week !! so everywhere is packed !!!
The engine doesn't seems to be charging the domestic Batteries so we would like advice please- if you have any ideas.
Apart from the incessant RAIN which has followed us here that is about it for today
Now to do some revisiting I haven't been here since the Challenge back in 2000.....

September 2009

The last few days of Falmouth, Cornwall and the dreadful summer weather. Malcolms' car has gone to its new home, Bohill Cottage is now a holiday let and the stores have all been inventorised so that they can be found. We now wait for the last 2 items and then a weather window to leave! Malcolm is prepared to motor to get to better weather!
We moved aboard earlier this week and have had a comfortable if wet few days, new port lights have improved the general bleak views. It seems as though everything we touch has caused some problem to hold us up. Just 2 tiny (I hope) niggles to sort out the positioning of the main Nav light and the sensor which tells us what charge the batteries have and which electrical systems are using power.
There is a weather High coming through which we will take to La Rochelle . Then let the fun begin.

As usual pictures in the Picassa album.
Sailor Sue

July 2009

July 2009
The latest, I expect many of you will have been looking out for our departure aboard 'Piano' – well we are still at the boatyard with the poor lady in pieces! Work on the saloon where the piano used to be is almost complete, presently being varnished before final fitting. The Nav area is causing problems fitting all the new equipment into the small area and of course wiring it up correctly. You notice this is all below decks ? Well there is the Cornish RAIN to contend with too, so above deck is going more slowly.
David Carne Rigger 'extraordinaire' managed to get the mast back in last week but it is wrongly positioned so needs lifting and easing forward a touch so that the standing rigging can be attached to its optimum position for fast sailing. Surprise today - that Rustler needed the crane again so Mast was repositioned and sits well.
Friday 24th ? And the Rutland 913 is up and running ! We christened her Wendy because she works in windy weather) Who said they were noisy ? Quiet as a mouse and 27 Volts in light airs ! (Notice the floodlights behind...)
I continue to bake cakes to keep the workers (shipwright Sol and mechanic/electrician Gary) happy aboard but I would much rather be loading up ready for the departure ! I'm guessing that it will be late August if they get a move on and the weather improves.
Expect more here when I can be more positive.
Sailor Sue

All Hands on Deck - Mast Out!

Wednesday 29th April - another 4 hour drive to Rustlers Boatyard! Managed to empty the contents of the lockers into a container with the help of Sol and a fork lift truck on Tuesday.Wednesday David and Ben arrived to demast 'Piano' see pictures for the full session.

Onward to Rustlers...

With all matters being so hectic I'm writing a quick note to record the sail from Dover to Falmouth.
On Wednesday 15th April we drove to Dover Marina and had the fuel filter changed as the last part of the Yanmar Engine service. After a cup of tea we motored into the inner harbour and set the sails. We departed around 5 o'clock in the afternoon to a gentle breeze but had to motor-sail all night and the next day to arrive in Plymouth late on Friday Afternoon.
It was a peaceful trip with sightings of many black markers showing fishing pots and Roger (chief crew) even saw Dolphins at dawn on Friday morning.
We investigated Mayflower Marina then tidied all the sailing gear away while Malcolm invited Carol and Susie around for a sundowner. Just a few sips with much natter about all our various lives past & present and all that has to be done before we can begin our respective travels. I couldn't resist a trip to 'Wild Bird' to see what mayhem was being done poor girls coping bravely in the face of 'builders' as we would call it on land. Wow ! they even have growing herbs AND a spice rack!
Back to 'Piano' for dinner and a few more sherberts.
Saturday : A hearty breakfast -cooked by Roger - before he left for Bracknell and a PARTY !
We paid the Marina and set sail for Falmouth. This was the first time on our own so we turned the Iron Horse off and really sailed it was great ! We arrived at Falmouth Visitors Marina early evening.
On Sunday we were visited by various sailors who seemed to know of 'Piano' - she is such a star -and old friends John & Val Thorne who updated us on old colleagues from the days of the Berkshire Sail Training Center.
Monday: a pleasant walk up to Rustlers yard to arrange to be pulled out early on Tuesday. So we began taking the sails off and storing extraneous gear - only to hear the phone ringing...it was Graham at Rustlers asking us to come along and be pulled out now...
So we were the last boat out on Monday and sitting on the hard just outside Rustlers front door for our final night before the work begins.
I'll stop there and see if we have any snaps to add on another day...

Antwerp to Dover

Wednesday 24th September. 11.15 am
Final goodbyes to Jan & Ghislaine in Antwerp, the lock opened and we were on our way. With the tide against us for the first part of our trip and little wind we had to motor.
As soon as the tide turned we hoisted the sails and switched the engine OFF. Then poled out the foresail and averaged 6 knots to Breskens. It was a really exhilarating trip. With sunshine astern as we arrived at port. All slept soundly.
We slipped Breskens and sailed for Dunkirk at 08.06 am. By now the whole crew were fully impressed with 'Piano's speed and ease of handling. The wind speed increased and by 14.00 we had set the Staysail and were flying along!
By 1900 we had moored in Dunkirk Port du Grand Large - next to a couple of Motor boats 'Irish Rover' and 'Fatum'. Both were heading south ultimately to the Mediterranean, they had a lock booked for the morning. We wish them well in their travels.
All crew had some time out on the Friday morning since the tide would have been against us if we had left early. Malcolm, Roger and I chilled out while Bob and Peter went into town and came back with fresh bread so we ate lunch before we set off.
Sails were set even before we left Dunkirk Harbour (13.00) and again we set the Yankee and Staysail. Even faster than yesterday we approached the mid channel parking area at 7-8 knots, which for me as a newbie seemed quite fast.We even raced with the Ferry!


We were at Dover Harbour entrance by 19.00. Champagne while we were waiting to enter the Marina, a quick bite to eat then out to watch the Fireworks. They were not especially for our homecoming but did make colourful end to the trip.
I hope all our voyages are as perfect.