Early season cruise notes, England

[TJ D]

Hi All,

We've spent the past few weeks buzzing around SW England with a hop to Guernsey for good measure thrown in, and I thought I'd share a few notes.

We left our winter berth in Lymington the third week on March, making our first stop in Cowes, just a short shakedown hop. Additionally, the esteemed Dockhead was there, so we figured we should pay him a visit before our paths diverged, him to the NE, and us to Scotland.

A break in the relentless strong westerlies that had been occurring allowed us to make a quick hop to Portland, followed by an overnighter to Plymouth, where we waited in this very pleasant city for a couple of gales to pass by.

Falmouth was our Western limit for our little spring cruise, where we spent a few days, and finally sailed from there to Guernsey to get some time outside the EU and take advantage of the opportunity to top up on some very reasonable fuel-a rarity in these parts! Even Guernsey was largely devoid of visiting boats.

Anyway, the reason for the post is to report that 'off season' cruising is absolutely delightful around here!

The weather has been generally pretty reasonable, with just the odd gale passing by, but damn cold at times.

Basically all of the visitor's berths have been wide open, prices are lower than in the high season, and most of the sailors who are making their way around at this time of year are cut from some pretty hardy cloth. We've had some great interactions with the other folks on the dock. I think that in the summer, there's a bit of a crush of boats around, and folks are generally less outgoing once the crowds get cruising.

All in all, I would say that the crowd who waits until the height of summer to start sailing around these parts are missing a heck of a lot of very good sailing.

We hope to see some of you on the water this summer.

[boatman61]

I agree 100%.. some of my best sails in the year were between January and April.. overnight runs across to Cherbourg or the Channel Isles.. was based out off Poole so had the Solent and the I.o.W to the East and local coves/bays from there to Weymouth or all the way to Falmouth if I felt like it.. wind proof trousers and my flying jacket snuggled down in the cockpit downside while the tillerpilot did the work and star gazing between horizon checks.. so many more up there..

[Jacko]

Sounds bloody cold to me give me the GBR any time I don't even remember where my cold clothes are Hahahah Cheers

[TJ D]

Originally Posted by Jacko

Sounds bloody cold to me give me the GBR any time I don't even remember where my cold clothes are Hahahah Cheers

Well, I'd be lying if I said that we haven't had a few 'why the hell aren't we in the tropics' moments over the last couple of years that we've been spending more time in the chilly north...

But, we spent an awful lot of time going troppo too, so some variety was called for!

[S/V Alchemy]

Originally Posted by TJ D

Well, I'd be lying if I said that we haven't had a few 'why the hell aren't we in the tropics' moments over the last couple of years that we've been spending more time in the chilly north...

But, we spent an awful lot of time going troppo too, so some variety was called for!

A refreshing approach. Even here in the (comparatively) warmer part of Canada, we sail in May and October for the wind, not the warmth, and often get our pick of mooring or dock thanks to the absence of the fair-weather sailors.

[johnyhask]

Nice to see posts like this. I'm based in Cardiff, Wales and hoping to be an all year sea goer to those places mentioned. Once I get my liveaboard and learn to sail properly. Been looking at B Oceanis 411s. Exciting times. Thanks for sharing [emoji1303]

[Pete7]

An un-seasonally warm week before Easter has meant the masses have suddenly descended on the Solent. 5 rallies filled Bembridge. Lymington and Yarmouth had the boards up saying "Full".

Thankfully most folk were heading home this afternoon as we cruised out of Portsmouth for a week away. By tea time we seemed to have the Solent to ourselves so picked up a prime mooring in Bucklers Hard to soak up 300 years of history including were 3 of ships that fought at Trafalgar were built. Tomorrow we anchor in the shadow of one of Henry V111 castles.

Pete

[TJ D]

Yes, the history around here, particularly the maritime history, is just fantastic. Just the other day we happened upon a plaque commemorating the spot where Francis Drake began his voyage from. How cool is that??

For those of us with a keen interest in things nautical, it really is the promised land.

Falmouth museum has an exhibition on Bligh at the moment as well. Think what you want of the man, but his small boat voyage to get him and his loyalists home intact is nothing short of astounding.

TJ