Boat - Bavaria 37
Skipper - Nigel Parry. Seen here in the planning mode. He often has nightmares about his oily bilges, sounds very nasty I'm sure there must be an ointment for it!
Crew -
Terry Bird. Seen here in the vital role of washer upper and tea maker. Will graduate to breakfast making following a very expensive tutorial by R.Bignell. Drives a spiffing diesel Merc.
Roger Bignell (Centre) Chief advisor to the Skipper rides in the right hand seat. Leading breakfast maker who's scrambled eggs made Anthony Worrell Thompson weep.Incidentally A.W.T. was pictured on a pack of pork sausages with the caption underneath of "Prick with a fork"! Has a unique way of tacking using his head.
John Loader. Sandwich maker supreme. Here seen making a prawn sandwich with 7 day old prawns. Capable of conjuring a sandwich out of nothing. Apprentice washer upper to Terry, not likely to graduate soon.
John in sandwich planning mode after being beaten by Suduko, the easy version!
Terry exhausted after deciding that pink Fairy Liquid was superior to green.
Skipper greets the 17 th cake.
1st September 2008
0500
Departed Thornbury, easy journey arrived 0730 to be greeted by skipper. His first order was for me to cook breakfast, this is going to be a tough assignment. Met John Loader and Terry Bird who enjoyed my cooking
1020
Slipped Halsar Marina the forecast did not sound too promising for a Channel passage with S.W. 5 to 7 occasional 8 winds. This forcast was to haunt us for the rest of the week.
1300
Off Cowes. Wind S.W.20 knots.
Decided to carry on to Yarmouth.
1400
Wind now S.W. 30 knots with a force 8 promised. Turned back to Cowes.
1530
Tied up Cowes after Co-Pilot tried to re arrange the pontoons with the bow. Skipper steps in and parks Louis B. Ate the first of many fine cakes this one was baked by Johns wife's fair hand. Crew dozed exhausted by the demands of the sea and too much cake.
1900
Glad rags on and in to paint the town. Cowes not even ready for an undercoat so pint and a debate on where to eat. Co-pilot had one of his few good ideas and suggested "China China" surprisingly a Chinese restaurant. We supped well and were content as they say in the Bible.
Slept very well despite heavy rain and high winds.
16 miles
2nd September 2008
0800
Full breakfast prepared by yours truly.
1050
Slipped Cowes easily destination Yarmouth again. Wind W 10 knots, sea slight, no rain, stools firm and urine clear!
1300
Wind building to W 20 knots. Decided to try for Poole. V rough in approach to North Passage. Head butted the boom and Skipper turned back for Yarmouth. Difficult as there was a 4 knot contrary tide. It was either that or a helicopter rescue and who would then cook the breakfast in the morning!
1545
Slow trip to Yarmouth, parked re arranging the pontoon light fittings. This cheered the co-pilot up and we went for a splendid whole sea bass and chips washed down with a fine white wine.
18 miles
3rd September 2008
Very strong winds during the night both outside and inside the crews quarters.
Forcast WS 5 to 7 occasionally 8.
1010
Another cholesterol full breakfast then very slickly slipped.
1230
Off Cowes wind SW 20 knots gusting 30 knots. sea moderate to rough. Skipper gives a master class.
1300
Hithe Marina full so heading for the Hamble.
1550
After two attempts moored Louis B then had more cake.
17.5 miles
4th September 2008
Brisk run to Gossport following a full breakfast.
Total miles ?
