An early start saw us having collapsed our beds with millitary effeciency, showered, eaten breafast and in the car on our way to Shotley (Felixstowe) by 8.15am. Tony and Gis are on the move, heading down to Battle near Rye - no doubt a long day for them - a 5 hr journey + dropping us off which was 2 hours each way for Giz!
Once again the marina at Shotley didnt charge for berthing and were delightful in getting us quickly on our way having "Locked out" of the marina.
The forcast for the day was Force 3-5 with winds veering (Going clockwise from North Easterly to South Easterly and poor visibility at the end of the day.
Today was a big offshore leg - 20 miles offshore, crossing the mouth to the Thames Estuary and the busy shipping lanes. It has been some time since we last did one of these and we were looking forward to it - alot.
On setting sail from Felixstowe the wind was very light but we managed to get all the sails up and trundle along at about 6 knots. At this juncture i must point out that this feels like we are going backwards it is soooo slow! Luckily the forcast was for the wind to freshen.
The sea was really calm and we enjoyed an unchallenging day in the whole, bathed in warm sunshine, just taking it in.
About an hour out of Ramsgate the visibility deteriorated, just as we were crossing the southern shipping lane into the Thames. A number of large shadows of merchant shipping loomed in the distance, but luckily at this stage the wind whipped up to about a Force 4 and we whipped along at 12-14knots meaning that we could drive round the bigger shipping - when we could see it!
One surprising thing happened - about a mile out of Felixstowe, we passed a dead Muntjack(Small dear) Not quite sure where that came from!!
Having finally left Felixstowe at 10.45 we pulled into Ramsgate at about 4pm after a very enjoyable sail, and are berthed in the marina as i write this.
We walked briefly round town before spotting a rather smart Yacht club - although a bit long in the tooth - where we have rooms for the night. The club -The Royal Temple Yacht Club is bang in the middle of town with the most gerogous view over the harbour (Photo to follow).
Tonight we have promised ourselves a curry and a wander round town to take in whatever Ramsgate has to offer.
We are now nearing the end of the tip and thoughts are beginning to turn to the last few days. In case anybody wants to meet up with us here is our current (Likely to change) itinnery:
Rmasgate to Rye
Rye to Brighton
Brighton to Cowes (Or Itchenor)
Cowes to Lymington
Lymington to Weymouth
Weymouth to Brixham
Brixham to Salcombe
We are ANTICIPATING being back in Salcombe on SATURDAY 9TH AUGUST - of course subject to weather, and it does allow for some non-sail days
We all noticed again that there was a noticable abscence of wild life - our guess is that becuase it is sandy and shallow, that there are few fish due to the lack of suitable habitat for the fish and therefore wildlife that eats fish??
Anyhow i am now going to go and upload a haord of photos because i have to luxury of wireless broadband at the RTYC
Till next time....