Welcome to Sally - our new kitten

Poppy and Jake insisted on a new kitten - who are we to refuse?

She's 8 weeks old and very sleepy. Fred, the older cat was not overly delighted until he discovered Sally's food bowl - but then he is very greedy.

We're keeping them apart for now, as I think that Fred could probably eat Sally in one sitting!

Highest Tide for 20 years

Tonight was the highest tide in 20 years. I went for a sail this evening with Martin, and the current was incredibly strong, with wind over tide. At first it was a steady F5 then an F6 gusting F7 which got a little hairy, so we reefed, then headed up towards Bideford.

When the wind died down we shook out the reef again and arrived back at the slipway as the alarm on my watch sounded High Water. It was the shortest walk to pull the boat up the slip that we've ever had to do.

Sailing a Catamaran in an F7

Well, today we learned that discretion is the better part of valour. The wind picked up rapidly after we'd rigged and was an F6 by the time we reached the end of the slipway.

We reefed at that point and launched with our hearts in our throats. On a run we nearly pitched, so at the earliest opprortunity we tightened up onto a reach and headed towards Inner Pulley.

We fitted the extra long tiller extension, so that Martin could steer from the wire, and I could power the main with both hands. This worked very well, and we didn't capsize. By the time we got to Inner Pulley, it was blowing old boots, and we decided to head for the beach at Instow, rather than risk getting stuck with other boats in the moorings. By now it was blowing a good F7, and possibly gusting as high as F8.

We derigged on the beach and I went back towards the club to pick up the trolley wheels. Mary Jane Scott kindly gave me and the wheels a lift, and Ellie also gave us a hand getting back the half mile along the Esplanade.

Only one other boat went out was a Dart 15, and that was Ellie's brother Sam, with two crew. Their extra weight made all the difference.

A thoroughly enjoyable and exhausting sail.  Maximum speed only 15.3 knots.

The Yellow Welly

Tony Smith and I were most surprised to be awarded the Yellow Welly in the NDYC Open Week Prizegiving this evening. This was for our impressive broach on Moonshadow on Wednesday.

At least, having looked at the previous recipients, we are in prestigious company.

Poppy's Cadet Training

This week (7 - 11 August 2006) Poppy has been learning to sail with NDYC cadets. She's had a really great time, and photos appear here. She's been buzzing every evening with all that she's been up to.

Porpoise

Today, whilst sailing off Lundy, I saw a porpoise break the surface near our boat. It only broached the one time, but it was a wonderful moment, nevertheless.


Apparently, there have been reports of basking sharks seen off the north end of Lundy this week. I've only seen one once, from the MS Oldenburg, but it was still a very impressive sight.

There were also a number of gannets on the sea around us. Their wingspan and flying ability on ground effect, just above the waves, is fantastic.

18.5 knots!

 Martin Caddy and I were in two minds whether or not we should go out.  It had blown a gale in the night and was still pretty lively when we got to NDYC.  However, the forecast was for the conditions to improve, so we rigged the boat with a reefed main and went for it.

Conditions were far from ideal, as it was very gusty off Appledore, and Instow Beach was very exposed and lumpy.  However, just inside Crow Point there was a flattish stretch of water before the wind's strength was killed by the dunes.

Our speed runs gradually crept up, and we soon beat the 16 knots of earlier in the season.  Martin kept his balance on the wire and we passed 17 knots with ease on several occasions.  We also were in danger of pitch-poling in the less than ideal conditions.  We hit 18.2 on one stretch and then maxed out at 18.5 knots recorded maximum speed shortly before capsizing off Yelland Jetty.  We called it a day at that, and retired with no breakages.

Given marginally less wind and flatter water we'll go faster yet.  This trip has been entered in the Yachts and Yachting Garmin Speed Freaks League.