WEYMOUTH to LYME REGIS June 17th 08 50:43.25N 002:56.0W
Callidus Harwich and Beyond
Richard Wells
Tue 17 Jun 2008 22:31
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Hi All,
Just to put things right, some readers have
complained about my (our) intemperate language. We accept this and will try to
do better. Consider all wrists well and truly slapped. It's just that being at
sea brings out the worst in some of us and we get carried away with all the
boyish excitement of it all. "Proper blokes stuff" as Pete said today. Heaven
help the world!
Some also said they wanted less yachty stufff and
others wanted more! I think I will try putting a para of 'yachty stuff; followed
by a para of 'where we are and what we saw stuff'' followed by a para of slander
against the crew. Let's see how we get on. You can easily skip the bits you
don't want or like but please keep commenting!
Yachty stuff - We left Weymouth at about
0845 and headed for Portland Bill.We had determined it was safe to take the
inshore passage in this, the S coast's most notorious tide race, after 1015.
That worked out fine and we passed in comfort, as planned, at around 1100. Then
it was a case of setting the best course west in the fresh SW breeze and aim for
Torquay across massive Lyme Bay.We didn't make it - the wind increased to F7 for
a while and we reefed, took down the No.1 genoa and jogged into the quite
formidable swell at around 1400. Torqauy was off the menu by then and the strain
on the yacht was too much so we took down the main, turned N and ran for
Lyme Regis on the staysail, where slight shelter was to be had on a mooring
inside the harbour wall. The garboard leaked badly when close-hauled in a strong
wind, so something will probably have to be done about it. The pumping had to be
vigorous at times and the automatic bilge pump was kicking in twice each half
hour watch.
Location stuff - Portland Bill and its
red-white-red lighthouse was splendid in the sun. The Devon coast
stretched out beneath a fluffy range of low cumulous before us as we
rounded the Bill. We could see 35 miles at least. Lyme Regis, which we
approached in darkening skies and a nasty swell, is a wonderfully
old-fashioned town - pretty houses, no lager louts or junkies - a great pale to
visit. The Pilot Inn was serving good beer as usual. Dick & Pete decided to
row ashore and back in the rubber dinghy, against the Skipper's advice. All
worked out well and they were safely aboard by 11pm.
Crew stuff - no sacandal to report.
We are a fine and capable body of seamen who respond to the lash! Richard
runs a tight ship which we are all grateful for. Safety comes
first!
Dick
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