Last few days in the Solent

Yoohoo! Hey Jack,Margaret how are you doing? Sorry for not being in touch sooner but we have been sooo busy with things- also, we had been blighted with so many little nagging problems with windows vista that a friend helped us out by sending us a cracked copy of xp professional- and thats where our communications problems really started. Actually the reinstall finally came together and we were able to connect to the internet again although I am still struggling to send emails via my sxxxxxxxxxxxx.co.uk account so have disbanded it. I think its got something to do with my ISP on account that even after a fresh install of the operating system I still am unable to send e-mails.
So, from now on you can contact me via my new email address...
sxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxail.com
There. I think we have managed to sort out a route of communication, well, that is until August 14th when my number and internet connection through T-mobile will come to an abrupt end. Then we will have to log on when we can by using internet cafes and free wi-fi spots. In the meanwhile, I'll just keep a record of what were doing so that I can keep you up to date with our travels....
Oh, thats something else i need to tell you, I have decided on a format to keep not just you guys posted but everyone else too - I have found a free blogging site which you will be able to connect to and read. At first, im just going to write you guys then post what i've written on the blog so others can keep track- should they wish to, of our cockups and adventures. The site is www.svsunnyjim.blogspot.com - I need to alter the settings on the site, but check there soon and let me know you can log on to it.

Well, I think we can safely say that we havent had much luck on our side since we left in terms on the weather. We had planned loosley to get as far away from the Solent as soon as possible as we have become so familiar with it’s trappings that it has kind of lost it’s appeal.

Nevrtheless, there we were at anchor in Newtown Creek for the first 4 days waiting for an improvement in the weather. A few gales blew through but our anchor held us tight. On the 4th day, we motored along to Yarmouth to take advantage of the £6 a night midweek berthing fees, and to stock up on a few simple treats – like cold beer, sausages and raw fish bait as I had not had much luck spinning off the pushpit. The water tanks were a bit low as well so we also needed a re-fill.

After all that was done, and with the weekend looming we thought it was best to return to the free anchorage at Newtown – at this time we were starboard side to against the floating pontoon and sandwiched in by 2 other boats rafted along our portside. A halberg rassy 39 footer was occupying a space 25 foot behind our stern and other boats rafted alongside off the bows. Trouble was, the french boat rafted next to us was planning to stay – indeed, they were leaving their boat and going on a bus so we had to leave considering the tide/time of day less we got stuck there for another day. So, no problem, I thought, a little communication here and there and a bit of co-ordinating and we’ll be off. Well our French friends struggled to understand, and the guy in the halberg rassy had another idea of how we were going to get out and what insued as we attempted to leave our berth was one of those moments which is sheer pleasure to watch – as long as your boat isn’t involved… Luckily, nothing got damaged and we managed to extricate ourselves from the situation and made our apologies and thanks before heading off – mission accomplished.

So, there we were again – Newtown Creek 1 hour after our clumsy departure, back in the same spot as before, waiting for a weather window to cross Poole bay. A few more days went by and after a decent forecast was faxed through and confirmed by a phonecall from a friend we had a window to leave the Solent for the last time(well, not the last time, but, y’know what I mean)
We prepared the boat for a night sail via the north channel at Hurst castle and were anticipating being there at slack time at around 1 in the morning. With everything packed- hot flasks, oilies on, life jackets racked out with tethers and harnesses I stood in the cockpit checking the wind speed on the anemometer- mmm, steady force 3/4.
It was all going so well through the evening until the hour of our departure began to fall upon us when as I had noticed the anxiety of going to sea began to creep in.
Anxiety is a very personal thing and I guess we all feel anxiety in different ways depending on the causes of it. The last time it kicked in was on our journey back from Dartmouth last year whilst we were at sea, and made for a pretty unpleasant time.
But I could feel it kicking in again – totally proportional to the time left until our planned departure. I became quiet, fidgety, and I felt could feel my breathing becoming shallow. I kept going back and forth from the cockpit to the nav desk, checking the passage plan and staring out at the lateral buoy navigation lights which would lead us down the solent.
I guess I was worried about the 10 minute sledge ride we would be facing by taking the north channel and then with the possibility of winds increasing on the nose through the entire night.
It was then when I heard a little wisdom of my old pal Ed Land(great sailing name btw) – “why put yourself through something that you don’t have to do” – simple enough but sometimes we put ourselves in situations which comromise our own welfare in preference of something less important.
At T=0 I turned to Clare all clobbered up with kit and said – were not going love, were going to stay another night here…..


The following day, with angst waning and a forcast for SW’lies 4 or 5 we upped anchor and motored down the west Solent and were unceremoniously spat out into Christchurch bay on a reach- it felt good to be on the outside of a place we could call our training ground and with the tidal gate behind us trimmed the sails as SunnyJim began to surge westward.
We were sailing in pretty boisterous conditions with 2 reefs in and the headsail furled 40% when average wind speeds climbed from 20 knots to 25 – gusting 28 – force 4 or 5- yeah right. It didn’t take long for the sea state to alter, and the next thing great hillock sized waves began to form with white crests all around us as we crossed the hegistbury head ledge around 2 miles offshore. In a moment of sheer terror the big brother of all the hillocks came hurtling towards us as Clare and I clung on. Both of us whimpered “..it’s gonna hit…”, and then green water burst over the port side and flooded the cockpit with sea water soaking all those little places we have in the cockpit where you think ‘ ah, it ‘l always be dry here, so I can keep my little things like tobacco and camcorder nice and safe’. Water was pouring from the coachroof down the cockpit bulk head and filling up those canvas pockets you use to keep personal effects in. Later I was to find that no water managed to make it into the engine compartment via the cockpit sole and luckily we managed to only get a couple of jugs of sea water thrown over the navigation desk – but next time that happens we are going to be ready for it.

So here we are. 3 days later in Poole harbour, at anchor between long island and shipstal point, fiddling about with our intermittant internet connection and coaxing Clare into baking another loaf of bread – which I have to say is bloody great, you cant beat the smell of freshly baked bread to stimulate the appetite in the morning.
Clares family have been down and spent a night here visiting us which was a real treat. I was sorry to see them go as I know from here on in we will get fewer visits from friends and family and the further we go will take us beyond reach of those we love the most. But there you go , we knew it was going to happen and have had plenty of time to say our goodbyes and if your reading this right now, we just want to say a very sincere thankyou for all your help, snippets of wisdom, practical knowledge and cake – I’m not going to write a list but, well – in no particular order and in a non exhaustive fashion- John M, Jack, Geoff, Margaret, Joe, Chris, John, Phil, Don, Reg, Bernie, Alistair and Paul, my folks, Clares folks and everyone who has had a hand in influencing us on this crazy venture, there is a piece of your wisdom somwhere on this boat that reminds us of you. – Especially the bastard who broke our toilet pump….