Author Archives: Derek

Over the sea to Skye

Saying goodbye to Ruth was not easy. We spent a wonderful 10 days together meandering through the Caledonian canal and exploring around Fort William but now it was back to singlehanded sailing! My plan had been to anchor in Port Ramsay tucked in amongst several small low lying islands towards the southern end of LochContinue reading “Over the sea to Skye”

Accompanied through the Caledonian Canal

So for this stage Ruth joined me having flown to Inverness from Bristol! Talk about taking the easy route! Actually handling a 32ft yacht through all the locks singlehanded would have been very difficult and very unpopular with the canal staff. Smaller boats can possibly be walked through singlehanded but not Thalmia! So Ruth’s companyContinue reading “Accompanied through the Caledonian Canal”

To Inverness – another milestone! (and 897 Nautical Miles (NM) so far!)

Thursday 20th May and I was still in Eyemouth. We had heavy rain for 24 hrs. In reality I haven’t had that much rain (so far). I’ve sometimes seen it over land but stayed dry at sea! Anyway, I set up my rather splendid cockpit tent. The tent must have cost the previous owners aContinue reading “To Inverness – another milestone! (and 897 Nautical Miles (NM) so far!)”

Crossing the border!

It’s late May and it’s still cold! I didn’t expect to be still using my cabin heater but I’m glad I’ve got it! From Scarborough to Whitby the wind was light. I turned off the motor from time to time for the peace and quiet of sailing but when you’re moving you create your ownContinue reading “Crossing the border!”

It’s not all plain sailing!

After sheltering in Ipswich for a couple of days a good wind was forecast for Wednesday 5th May so I motored down river to prepare for heading further north – Ipswich is not the most convenient for departure, being some 8 miles up river! The river was surprisingly choppy and there was quite a blowContinue reading “It’s not all plain sailing!”

Heading North!

By starting after noon I rode what someone described as a tidal escalator from Newhaven to Dover and then Ramsgate. Big spring tides under the boat boosted my speed over the ground (SOG) to as much as 10 knots at one point. I started on a beam reach, went to close hauled but eventually hadContinue reading “Heading North!”

Patience is a virtue?

The stream of easterlies was anticipated which is why I set off a bit earlier than planned. However, knowing it was expected hasn’t made it easy to cope with! I have been clawing my way slowly along the south coast bit by bit calling first at Poole harbour and then Lymington, where I enjoyed lunchContinue reading “Patience is a virtue?”

The voyage begins!

To quote Shakespeare: There is a tide in the affairs of menWhich, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune;Omitted, all the voyage of their lifeIs bound in shallows and in miseries.On such a full sea are we now afloat,And we must take the current when it serves,Or lose our ventures. A bit dramatic perhaps!Continue reading “The voyage begins!”

One Step Closer

Thalmia launched safely from Topsham Quay on Tuesday 30th March with Aidan as crew! A short trip out to sea to check all systems were working well. No problems, and the new winches and windlass were making life easier on the back! When restrictions on overnight stays are relaxed a more extended shakedown trip willContinue reading “One Step Closer”

Proper planning and preparation….

The harbourmaster, after taking advice from the relevant government department, has decreed that we may launch our boats at the end of March and ‘fettling’ – that favourite pastime of boat owners – is now well under way. I wore full PPE last week – nothing to do with COVID 19 – I was paintingContinue reading “Proper planning and preparation….”