We're Back in Business!

The more observant reader will have noticed that we've been rather quiet of late. They might also have spotted that there's no "Where was Cyclone in 2018" map on the blog either.

Well, to deal with the second point first, a map showing Cyclone's position  in 2018 really wouldn't have been that interesting. Actually the same could be said of a blog on the subject of her movements (nothing new there then!) as the furthest she got was to nose into Christchurch Bay before returning to Yarmouth Harbour for a kip!

Yes, 2018 was rather quiet. Cyclone lazed on a mooring buoy in Mill Rythe, courtesy of Hayling Yacht Company, and made just 2 trips in the whole season; one with Jo and one with an old friend from my university days - Cap'n Bob.

Cap'n Bob - Master of the Broads

Why? Well I think we were just tired of sailing after a fairly exhausting 2017 and fancied a break. Hopefully we'll get a bit further this year!

Before we could leave there were one or two jobs to complete on the old girl (Cyclone, not Jo). At the top of the list was the headlining in the fore and aft cabins which had succumbed to the Westerly droop (it's an age thing...). The headlining is foam backed for insulation but unfortunately, over time, this foam disintegrates, such that the vinyl is no longer attached to the coachroof (ceiling).

It's not meant to look like this...

That's more like it!

Then there was the need to pressure wash 12 month's of "green" off the decks; sort out the navigation lights; replace the "Joker" valve in the toilet (nothing funny about that guy's job I assure you); un-seize the gas tap; and attend to all the other things that need doing when you neglect a boat for a year... Serves me right!

So what's the plan for 2019? Well, to leave Chichester harbour and turn right. We'll then sail as far as we feel like (when the weather suits) and stop. We'll continue in this fashion, making our way clockwise around the UK - maybe visiting the Orkneys or perhaps nipping through the Caledonian canal - until we either end up back in Chichester or fancy a break. If we don't make it all the way round, we'll leave the boat somewhere suitable for the winter and come home by bus/train/car or whatever. And if we're bored by the time we reach Weymouth, we'll turn the boat around. Simples!

The only decision we have made, if indeed we make it that far, is to head up the Irish Sea rather than around the west coast of Ireland. We can do Ireland properly - and we'd very much like to - another time.


With our departure date governed by the need to leave our winter berth (Chichester Marina) on 1st April or pay their daily summer rates, we duly departed on April Fool's day. How appropriate.

We'd been safely delivered to Cyclone by our good friend and neighbour Geoff, who surely deserves a mention here. Geoff and his wife Janet have once again volunteered to look after our house in our absence; completing all the necessary insurance checks, dealing with our mail, cutting our lawns and even turning off the water (I'd forgotten to do it...). We couldn't wish for better neighbours. Thank you so much Janet and Geoff.

A favourable tide swept us to Newtown Creek for our first night. This is a very attractive anchorage on the Isle of Wight. The only problem is that everyone knows this and, in the summer, it can be absolutely packed. In his Channel Pilot, Tom Cunliffe describes the Newtown Pyjama party; a phenomenon occasioned when the tide turns, the boats swing on their anchors and everyone leaps from their bed to fend off their neighbours! Well, on the Ist April - a calm and sunny evening - we had the place to ourselves. Marvellous!

A rather murky Portsmouth - Spinnaker Tower an' all

Horse Sand Fort (or was it the other one?)

Where did that come from? They sneak up on you, yer know...

Cowes. World centre of yachting. Don't let any Aussies tell you otherwise!

Newtown Creek. As never seen in the summer!

As above. Ancient wall. It's a very old harbour- the IOW's safest in the 14th Century!

Today, April 2nd, we made the giant leap to Yarmouth Harbour. Here we'll wait for a decent breeze to take us west towards, or even to, Weymouth.

Bye for now!