Fog and No Papers - Saturday

The papers did not arrive on the island today. The reason given - the fog across. It seems the Ben My Chree was turned back from Heysham last night, having approached the harbour, and waited for the fog to lift. Instead of lifting the fog worsened, so the Ben returned to her home port, Douglas (without papers, I guess).

We've had a truly beautiful day here, with clouds hovering along the horizon and over the mountains. Without the papers to distract, it has been lovely to be able to potter, get on with things and to think and pray.


Update ~ Sunday arrived and so did two lots of papers. Hubby almost swamped by newsprint!



http://www.shipsofmann.org.uk/Ben-My-Chree%20VI%20First%20Ten%20Years.htm

Victor Meldrew Moments II

I don't believe it!

Last night it was really wet and windy and guess what! All that work done over the last week didn't work. The water has penetrated again and the wet floorboards are in exactly the same spots.

Back to the drawing board.

Drying out

Leaving the shelter of the harbour wall in Alderney the company of Inspiration of Boss headed for Cherbourg's marina. It was a damp crossing, so once safely moored, the single heater was put on in order to dry out the waterproofs.

The journey from Cherbourg to St Helier, began at 9.15 am Saturday and was an even wetter thrash. They were tacking into a force 8 all the way with gusts of 9 as they headed through squalls. Rain, hail and the sea drenched them to the skin and their porridge, on Saturday morning, had to sustain them through into the night.

Once in sight of Jersey, they turned to follow the coast. Here it became more hairy as now, on a run in heavy seas, they were close to broaching. Every time they met a wave the end of the boom was submerged. They arrived, 16 hours later, at the entrance to St Helier at 1.15 am, within 15 minutes of their entrance being made impossible, by the well known bar.

When Gordon contacted me they were drying out. They were all so very cold and wet that they were thankful to be safely in port. He was not sure that the heater would be efficient or sufficient enough to dry everything, so they were hoping to find somewhere to dry their wetweather gear and they were going to find a 'greasy spoon' for a good feed. Also on board are Gareth, George, Nick and Skipper/Examiner Rich.

http://www.jersey-harbours.com/elizebeth.html

Yachtmaster update

Yesterday afternoon I blogged that our elderst son was on his way across the channel. Well here is an update of his progress. Last night they were heading the tide down the Solent, and weren't getting anywhere. Before reaching The Needles they received a severe gale force warning, so they ducked into Yartmouth for the night.

This morning and went to catch the tide out, and the weather warning is again for gales so turned around and and into Lymington, they are now waiting for the gale to blow through might make a bolt for Alderney. He is onboard Sigma 38 Inspration of Boss (British Offshore Sailing School): http://www.boss-sail.co.uk/

Currently he's drinking tea and eating Jamaica Ginger Cake!