This is going to make for interesting reading - i hope!
The day started well with a 20 minute journey to Scarborgh in sunshine.
On arrival we were pleased to be running promptly and left the quayside at about 9.30 - in anticipation of a long day ahead - almost 60 miles to run.
The forcast was for Force 4-5 and 6 later, pretty much identical to the last couple of days. The one difference was that the beautiful Yorkshire cliffs that had provided wind shadow for the past day would dissapear about 10 miles south of Scarborough (after rounding Flamborough head)
We were really dissapointed with the harbourmaster, about the ONLY person in the country that has not offered a sizeable discount or made no charge for berting the RIB and Challenger, we all agree that this sums up the prevailing attitude of the people who work in and around the harbour. A real shame because the surrounding area and scenery is outstanding.
The RIB crew took us under tow to take us the 100meters out of the harbour. But within moments Pete had hit the bottom (No warning from the harbour office - and the Depth guage has not worked since new) The water was so cloudy that Pete had no chance to predict this.
Luckily we carried a spare prop and within 15 minutes resumed the journey with the only damage apart from the prop - to Petes self-esteem! I have done this countless times as my father will attest to!
Because of the weather forcast we reefed the main from the outset, but nontheless set of at a great pace, savouring the wonder of the cliffs, gannets, Sea Ducks(name that we have given to a swimming bird that we have no ideas what it is)and a multitude of Puffins(Photo to follow)
After about 2 hours we rounded Flamborough Head and had about 40 miles to cross a huge bay ( bigger than Lyme Bay for those that know it). As expected having rounded the headland we came out of the shelter of the cliffs and into the full force of the Westerly wind - which was blowing 5-6.
The seas chopped up and Stuart and i got a total drenching. The thought of 4hours of these conditions was at best challenging.
We soon settled in and sailed hard across the bay, keeping land in site, only about 5-7 miles off shore.
Challenger was great, stable and controlable and we ran across the bay at around 14 knots(Mainsail only) hitting 17.8 knots at one point - a new mainsail only record for the trip.
Another record was set - one tack - 50 miles by me. Like to beat that one if possible.
The challenge for the day was always that there are no harbours/ports in this part of the world to act as boltholes, indeed the only place that we could get into was Grimsby, 8 miles up the Humber estauary on the south shore. Due to the westerly winds we knew that on rounding Spurn head to the north of the Humber mouth that we would once again come out of the lee of the land and have to tow up the Humber.
About an hour before this my VHF had run out of batteries and we had taken the spare on board. The only small problem with it is that the RIB crew cannot understand a word we are saying - thereby making communcation in a wind - all but impossible.
As we approached Spurn Head, we took the inshore route across the sandbank which was covered with only a small amout of water, but the RIB had to go about 3 miles round.
We agreed to rendez vous at a green marker buoy. The RIb crew were being battered by the sea and warned us that it was very choppy. As we came out of the lee we could see the sea state worsten.
At this point i need to point out that we are about to cross one of the buisiest shipping lanes. There are massive ships queuing in both directions> Like all busy shipping lanes there is a one way system with incomming traffic to the North and departing traffic to the South. We were starting at the North and aiming for the south - thereby meaning that we have to cross both lanes. Technically you cross at 90 degrees. Not a chance today - we would have to head into the sea thereby meaning that we cross at 45 degrees! Far from ideal
Anyhow we managed to get under tow, the wind is so strong that stuart and i can only just hear heach other across the Hobie by shouting at full bore - and not always then.
The seas are only about 6-8ft but are very steep and close together - again not ideal.
We set off at about 8 knots (Bearing in mind that the commercial shipping is running at 12-20knots.
Immediately the waves engulf us, i am unable to see properly and am struggling to breath due to waves and spray on my face.
At this point a Pilot boat returning from dropping off on one of the ships slows down as it passes us to make sure we are OK and we gesticulate that we are
I take the decision to tell the RIB crew to let us go, there was NO WAY we could sustain this, or indeed cross such a busy shipping channel.
Stuart and i gather in the long tow rope, re-attach the outhal to the sail. I try and tack but due to the strength of the wind and the sea state cannot get the boat to tack(this can happen with Catamarans), so have no option but to gybe the boat- again far from ideal in the seastate.
We do it without too much problem and head to Spurnhead beach which is only 300 meters to our right hand side and offers calm waters(in the lee of the wind and waves) and is sandy - ideal!
We hoon across to the beach and not wanting to mess about we go up the beach at 12 knots - great fun!
We then spend a couple of minutes taking the securing the boat and rolling the mainsail before walking on the beach round the headland to catch up with Pete and Charlie, they had headed to the Pilot pontoon to the Northen side of Spurn head but round the corner actually in the Humber estuary.
After we had walked about 100 meters a small orange boat comes around the corner, just off shore, with 4 men wearing crash helmets. I said to Stuart - "crikey that looks a bit like an inshore lifeboat- wonder where they are going?" Then " Oh - i hope they havent come out to us?"
We continued walking and waves to them rather nonchantly, at which point all 4 wave back and the boat spins on the spot and heads back in the direction it had come. "OH dear i guess it was for us - how embarrasing.
It transpires that the pilot boat, who shares a dock with the Spurn head lifebaot, had radioed to say that we were stuggling and perhaps they should came and assist! In addition there is a control tower (Like and airport) on Spurn head and they also had alerted them!
We found Pete and Charlie just around the corner and they floated the Cat Trax ashore(launch trolley for the Hobie). They decided to anchor round the corner in the slightly less choppy water while we sorted the Hobie out.
With no real access to the beach we had no choice but to wheel Challenger down the beach further into the lee of the wind and waves and leave here tucked in behind the sanddunes.
Spurn head is the only RNLI station in the country with a full time, permanant crew. They each have a house on the headland, so we went to track them down and thank them for comming out.
Martin the assistant coxwain couldnt have been more friendly, not a problem, we get bored and love a "Shout", they also agreed to keep an eye on challenger and keep the sails till we returned.
Pete then collected Stuart and i from the dock and we hooned across the Humber to Grimsby because we had to berth the RIB in a marina due to the winds and sea state. I must confess to really enjoying the trip across. I took the helm and we battered our way into a force 5, averaging 15-20knots for the 6 mile journey. Destiny(the RI
has now earned her spurs - i cannot recommed her highly enough for that type of work.
A 1 1/2 hour journey back to Scarborough, dinner, ample wine and card game finished off a full and exciting day. personally i really enjoyed it.
WEDNESDAY 17TH JULY
Having covered almost 300 miles in the last week, i decided that we all needed a day off - so i am writing this on wednesday after a sleep in!
Tomorrow we have to try and get to Wells Next the Sea in North Norfolk. Caroline and Milly are meeting us and the 3 of us staying in a local hotel.
The forcast for tomorrow is pretty similar to recent days so we hope we can complete the 60 mile leg. For a change we think we do have the option of puttin in to Skegness if necessary - still to be confirmed by Pete.
I will post a couple of photos shortly.
Till then...........