2014 Spring Cruise - Day 8/9

Here's the Captains Blog app output ...

'Twas a funny old sort of day, night and then day again really!

The logic of the passage plan was good. We had to leave Southwold when the tide would let us anyway and the timings of an overnight passage straight through to Wells looked good. If we missed the tide at wells we'd be in daylight all the way to make an entry on the evening tide - better to get the night out of the way early in the trip than have to struggle to stay awake for an additional twelve hours in darkness.

Southwold from the sea

We left Soutwold in near ideal conditions. About the only improvement we might have asked for would have been a bit of angle on the wind. Downwind sailing is always a bit of a faff with sails collapsing and filling, the ever present danger of an accidental gybe and slow progress.

After a couple of hours of running with the genoa poled out I got fed up with the rolling from side to side and eased off onto a broad reach offshore. This then led to the decision to go up the outside of the Scroby Sands wind farm and get the maximum lift from the fair tide. This we did and we even managed to sneak back inshore towards the Cockle buoy before the tide turned foul on us.

We temporarily furled the genoa to make life easier whilst a plate of curry and rice, heated up in th galley by Rik, was wolfed down before it went cold. Then it was out with all plain sail again in the dying evening wind.

Sure enough and soon enough our "VMG" (Velocity Made Good - how quickly we are going relevant to our next change of course) dropped to 1 knot, then half a knot then nothing and then negative numbers started to appear! Since this means we are going backwards there are two choices at this point (apart from up with it put of course) - drop the anchor or start the engine.

We were a little ahead of schedule for the morning tide at Wells but not enough to make anchoring a sure fire plan so it was on with the engine and shortly thereafter it was on with the navigation lights as the sun dipped below the horizon. I was annoyed to discover that the bow deck light isn't working, I only checked them the other day. I wasn't inclined to try and fix it at sea so we turned on the sailing masthead tri-colour and ran with that and the steaming light. Not strictly kosher but never mind.

As midnight approached, we had some wind again on the beam and were able to get sailing on a reach. Rik went off watch for some sleep once we were sailing. He had barely half an hour before I called him on deck to assist with reefing both the main and the genoa as we now had a solid 16 to 18 knots apparent on the port bow and things were getting a little too lively for comfort.

Reefing went OK apart from spilling a cup of coffee all over the cockpit and Rik retired again. An hour or so of very lively sailing followed after which things moderated a little and I was able to settle into a groove. The only niggle on my mind being that we were going far too fast! However, I know what tricks these weather Gods play and better to arrive too soon than to slow down and then arrive too late.

Sure enough, as dawn got into full gear and we approached Blakeney Point the wind died away to nothing. After considering my options, it was on with the engine and the tiller pilot and motor towards Wells Leading buoy. Whilst we pottered along at a gentle pace I stowed the mainsail and made ready the anchor and upon arriving off Wells Bar we dropped the hook and dozed for an hour to wait for the tide.

An hour later and about two hours before high water we made an incident free entry into Wells Harbour (I only missed the channel once and we didn't go aground!) and made fast alongside the visitors pontoon. Shortly thereafter the harbour master put in an appearance and moved us along a bit before completing the paperwork for our stay.

Some much needed sleep was followed by making everything ship shape, a run ashore to procure some cigars for the Skipper, lunch, showers and some more much needed sleep.

I suspect tonight will involve food, beer and a lot more sleep!

It is rather lovely here in Wells I must say and we intend to stay until at least Monday (we might take a look at Blakeney Harbour too while we're hereabouts) although as ever it all depends on the weather.