During the first day of June 2010 I set sail in 'Equinox' my 24ft 6' Cornish Crabber from Chichester Marina and headed West down the Solent on a once in a lifetime adventure. Three and a half months later I completed my challenge; having sailed solo around the entire UK; visiting the Scillies, Ireland, Wales, Scotland and the Hebrides; going with huge trepidation over the top via Cape Wrath - the 'big right turn', before the next 'big right turn' heading south, at John o'Groats. This blog is my diary, written most evenings as I took stock of the day's progress; often with a huge lump of Cheddar cheese in hand and a pint of Speckled Hen to keep it company. Sometimes I was almost in tears; tiredness and frustration having taken its toll. Other nights exhuberant after breathtakingly beautiful passages along our stunning coastline with favourable following winds. It describes the ups and downs; the tears and laughter; the extraordinary kindness shown by complete strangers who offered a tired sailor in their midst refuge, solace, warmth and company; their generosity often humbling. My hormones were, I'm sure, in a mess making me perhaps rather vulnerble; as just six months earlier I'd endured the surgical removal of a cancerous prostate gland; laprascopically - a six hour procedure that left me physically weaker than before. You can read the background to the illness and the reasons for the challenge - to raise awareness of this terribe disease; that could have so easily have killed me elsewhere on this blog.

I am indebted to many; and recorded their names elsewhere; but as I reflect on the voyage many months later, I have not fully sung the praise of Cornish Crabbers, the builders of my sturdy little yacht and Roger Dongray the yacht's brilliant designer who drew upon a hull shape that had developed over hundreds of years by men who worked and fished at sea and whose very life depended on their vessel's seaworthiness. It's long keel, sail configuration and weight distribution in seemingly monsterous seas; quite incredible for a yacht so small. A Crabber 24 is not the swiftest yacht to be had for her size, for sure. But what she lacks in that respect she makes up for by her abilty to take heavy weather and harsh conditions in her stride. Built solidly without compromise, Equinox delivered me safely home after a voyage of well over 2500 miles in some of the most hostile and dangerously tidal waters you can find anywhere in Europe. In Wales, for example, the RNLI were phoned by an experienced commercial fisherman watching Equinox from his harbourside office; reporting to them, that a yacht was struggling in heavy seas and a F7 a mile outside the harbour entrance. By the time the lifeboat had been launched, I was tucked up in Aberystwyth marina; a little bruised and battered it has to be said, but safe and sound; I never even saw the lifeboat!

I've recently set up the blog so that readers can cover numerous diary entries in one go. To access earlier diary entries just click on the link 'Older Posts' at the foot of each page. Only a few clicks are needed to get to the entries at the beginning of the voyage and my preparation beforehand.

I hope you enjoy reading it; and if you do, or have done, please be kind enough to leave me a message. For which, in anticipation, I thank you.
The voyage also raised over £10,000 for the Prostate Cancer Charity - not my main goal but those who donated on my 'Just Giving ' page made a huge contribution too; as I was notified by email of each donation as it was made; each raising my spirits immeasurably. My main goal was to encourage 2500 men to get PSA tested - one for each mile sailed; and I beleive that goal was achieved too. And finally, I would also like to thank the growing number of men who have, both during and after the voyage ended, taken a PSA test, as a result of the publicty the voyage attracted; been diagnosed with the disease and taken the time and trouble to email me.

Sunday, 15 August 2010

Still all set to go – Holyhead - August 15th

Having feasted like a King with the Vernon’s last night and delivered back to Equinox before midnight, thought it time to give the engine the once over with a view to leaving first thing on the flood tide. A ten minute job at most; I started by checking engine and gearbox oil levels, the two belts and finally the two fuel filters. Surprisingly, the primary fuel filter had both water and grubby sediment, so decided to wash up, go to bed and tackle fitting a replacement with better light, first thing in the morning.    So, after wolfing down a Kellogg or two at 8am with milky coffee, I set about fitting the new cartridge and then decided to replace the smaller filter before bleeding the whole caboodle of air. Then feeling virtuous, decided that as the engine has been run for mostly battery charging duties, an oil and filter change would make sense, so tacked that. All screwed back together the little two cylinder Yanmar burst into life on the first attempt. A nice warm glow, from a job well done and little bit of extra insurance, I feel!
   That leads me to comment on Holyhead Marina. When making a berthing reservation and telling them about this challenge they immediately offered FOC board and lodging for Equinox. A hugely generous offer and one the Prostate Cancer Charity will benefit from. There’s much to praise it too. Not least Sue and all the marina staff, who made me and everyone welcome and manage all the comings and goings very efficiently. They’ve given a lot of thought to what yachtsman want. Excellent showers, free WiFi, use of a computer with printer, a shop and chandlery and even a nearby hair salon and cafe! A nearby yacht club has a great range of beers and good homemade meals to add to the self contained nature of the marina. Without doubt, one of the very best I’ve ever visited.

Just as I finished servicing the engine, a squadron of immaculate Half Raters from Treaddur Bay came into the marina, a beautiful sight on a glorious sunny day such as this, each one given much love an attention, as racing is highly competitive and taken all too seriously for many.

Showered and settling back on board with charts and tidal stream maps, an outline of the next few days sailing is taking shape, waypoints entered and goodbye’s said to the Marina and neighbouring yachts. The phone then rang and Nigel and Ronnie invited me to supper with them tonight at The Point, back in Rhoscolyn...! Enough said!

Tomorrow I’ll be gone. Douglas on the Isle of Man, the destination – 51 miles away.
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1 comment:

  1. Anonymous19 August 2010 at 18:38

    We're pleased you enjoyed your stay - you are welcome back any time! Good luck with the rest of the trip.
    Susan
    Holyhead Marina Manager

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