Brigid-Mary

Hello all, been very tied up of late with working in conjunction with a couple of off shore wind farm projects and a delivery trip up to Montrose so I have been out of touch a bit. I just cannot believe the amount of money being thrown at these wind farms, all the treehuggers who try to tell us that offshore windfarms are the most cost effective and non polluting source of energy need to go out and buy a new pair of sandles and smoke a bit more dope. The amount of fossil fuels being consumed to construct and service these things is massive. Bringing me on to the use of fossil fuels. There is the opportunity for a couple of passengers to accompany Ocean , a veteran of 2 Round Britain Powerboat Races, on a trip from Lowestoft to either Ramsgit or Dover, in August. She will be on her way to participate in the Cowes -Torquay-Cowes event. I thought it might be a good opportunity for a couple of fellow boaters to get some sea miles in on some unfamiliar waters. There will be the opportunity for some RYA training in radar,AIS, and Raymarine plotters as well as helming the boat. The cost will be around £220.00 each one way. A good opportunity. Paul

Hell Gavin, don't worry too much about Interceptor, she is no more sinister than an an ex Danish fishing boat with a shelter deck fitted, No more a spy ship than the danish Seiner, registered in Hull (I think) sitting off Sizewell/Aldeburgh carrying out Guard ship duties for the Gabbard wind Farm project. Paul

I might be missing somthing here, but what is a starboard hand yellow special mark? Did Uncle Albert think that one up? Paul

It is on my machine, also showing Kessingland which is the same. In the end it is the skippers choice to go or not. I am treating theweekend with caution at the moment. Paul

Hello Mark, might be a good idea to phone around a bit. RNSYC were cheaper than LHM last time I checked. There is a fuelling berth in Waveny dock which usualy supplies the inshore fishing boats. Normally cheaper, but the berths are crap, and are not open weekends. Paul

No fuel at Hamilton dock but the RNSYC are probably cheaper than any where else. Paul

Just to put a bit of a spanner in the works, Wind Guru and Magic seaweed are surfers sites and very accurate they are too, but they relate to conditions close inshore, ie just off the beach. I think this weekend will be very iffy. We are planning to go to the Orwell again on Sunday and lay to a mooring buoy returning on Monday. The Synoptic chart shows a very nasty Low heading our way for Late Monday so I am treating the weekend with caution. May all change yet. There are plenty of Berths at the Haven Marina and The Third crossing is excellent , but very busy, The cruising club are having a BYO Barbeque on Saturday night, with a lateish bar! If we can get away, then we will do so, but don't forget, you have to come back again. Paul

Hello Wayne, Glad to hear all went well Yesterday, sorry I was unable to help out but work commitments ect. we had a run down to Shotly in glorious conditions with the return journey today. got a little sh1tty off Southwold this afternoon, but was great to get away for the weekend. By the way, the river is very shallow by Asda and eastwards. As there is not an official salty bottoms club, why not consider joining the LHMCC. plenty going on for all levels of experience including weekend cruises ect, Paul

Hello All, No, not this trip. We are at the Bernet arms and waiting to go out through Yarmouth tommorrow at 14.00 and into Lowestoft. I think the worst of the weather has gone through and it will be a bit rough but its only an hour. we some relativly new people in our group and caution rules. Paul

Well, we got into Yarmouth OK after leaving Lowestoft with a delayed Bridge lift. As you can see from this picture of Yarmouths White Elephant, the sea conditions were near perfect. Going up river we were surveyed closly, Through the bridges and up to Reedham and I wonder who was behind me going through the Swing Bridge, . Was due to go through the Bridges to return to Lowestoft at 1300 today and the wind is blowing like stink from the NE so we are staying Put at the Berney Arms for the night. B---dy weather, Typical bank Holiday. Paul

Thanks Perry, have you any plans? That is the benefit of being on the Orwell, you can always go somewhere if it blows fairly. Have a goodun Paul

Well, us usual, the weather gods are against us and the planned trip to the Ore and the Alde has been scrubbed. The forecast for Monday was the deciding factor, I dont fancy banging into a Northeasterly on an Ebb tide coming back to Lowestoft. Instead, we are going into Yarmouth and heading off towards Reedham for the night, so we might just see some of you about,there will be at least 3 other boats with us, all raggies though. I will have my black cylinder hoisted!!!!!! Paul

An echo sounder helps no end!!!!!!!! and easier than a calculator. Paul

Hello John, Can you put me down for 2, Susan and I, My current ticket expires in July, and I need to keep it up as the RYA says I must. (the ticket that is) Paul NBN NBN NBN

I am still looking to join you all at Whitsun to find out, I just have to get some sea training under my belt as she is quite insisant we have a skipper on board first time we go out. regards all Wayne

Hello Ian, Whilst my comments were very much tounge in cheek, I still don't like the harbour. I like the town and its quaintness, beach is just the job, I like Walberswick, its just the bit in the middle I dont much care for. As you say, the Harbour inn is the most expensive pub in the universe, the berthing facilities are abomnible,and the ebb tide is somthing to behold. I am certain many people like the place ,It's just that I dont. Paul

Hello David, Thanks for that. Should'nt be too difficult getting into the entrance, we have timed to arrive there at a couple of hours before HW and springs this weekend, just the weather looks a bit iffy for Saturday, Still we'll see. Deben is worse, I was in and out there the other week and is not the easiest of entrances. Have a good week end.Enjoy and relax.Might give you a call. Paul

Hello Merlyn, That must have been you in the Sealine(I think it was) Sorry if I seemed half asleep, as I was half asleep after a very large lunch at the 3rd crossing!!!!! Paul

Hello Merlyn, I have had the same problems with Southwold in the past, there used to be full time Harbour Masters there, as well as Harbour Mistress's until they went on the fiddle. I think it is all now controlled by Peter at Oulton Broad YS. I think you just take pot luck with mooring now and get werever you can, much rafting up in the summer though, and you need fender boards if you are inside. Place is a dump, in my view, any way!!!!! Paul

After our recent mini refit, we decided to give the old girl a run out last night,(saturday). We took the 1900 outbound bridge and headed north.The weather was perfect,slight sea with a hint of easterly wind and swell. Got up to Gorleston and turned back to Lowestoft for the 2100 bridge. Pleased to say that all was well and we are content to carry forward our planned trip to the Ore and The Ald next weekend. Arrived alongside our berth at 2120 had a couple or three safe arrival drinks, (well a few more than that actually) thougherly enjoyable evening! Paul.

Morning Luke, You and Claire are on the list, details to follow. Sorry I didnt see you over the holiday I suppose I was expecting to see W Woo!!! I am in the middle of doing chart updates so I guess thats why I had my head down. Be in touch. Paul

Morning Rod, Bert has now retired and John F is now the coxwain. Yes I know Griefy right well he is still a shore helper at Gorleston. Dont see Dave Mason too much but he is a Deputy Launching Authority at Gorleston as I am at Lowestoft along with John Catchpole. Small world.I remember the Cumbria Service and will pass on your regards when I see Griefy again. The Toilet Social club is no more alas, had some good times in there!!!! Paul

Well the Easter foray has been done, well done to all who took part and especially for those who organized the event. It is not easy to do and much hard work and responsibility is required. I watched most of you go through Lake Lothing on Saturday and even followed you down, we had a bit of a jolly in a RIB and watched you all go out throgh the piers when we were at the twin bouys. Twas a bit bumpy by the Ness point as it always is when the tide gets away. I saw somwhere that one or two of you would be interested in a life boat visit. Our club is visiting Lowestoft LB station next Friday week and there will probably be space for a few more bodies, I should think that maybe 6 people could go. There will be a tour of the station as well as the Spirit Of Lowestoft, afterwards at the Lowestoft haven Marina Cruising Club for drinky Poos. If there is enough interest, I could arrange for a visit to Gorleston LB station at a later date, this was my old station and I did 23 years there as a crew member. Paul

Well, as the weekend weather 4cast is pretty dire, we have postponed our trip down to Wrabness, dosnt look too bad for Monday so we may have a jolly out then. The boat is back in the water again,but still have one or two things to do, I have fitted a new rudder stock but I still need t connect the rudder angle indicator,put another couple of turns of packing and tidy up the engine room. So we will keep an eye out for you all coing through on Saturday. Have you all a good,above all, safe weekend. If anyone is interested I am running a dayskipper Shore based course towards the end of the month and have 4 places, let me know if any one is interested. Paul

Oh dear, I apologize if I have caused a problem, but I thought it would be a good idea to point out these things, Will give you all a wave as you go past, you cant miss us, the cream and brown boat at the Haven Marina. (I do, however,hope you do miss me, I have just repainted her!!!!!) Paul