Blogs from North Sea, Atlantic, Oceans and Seas

We came home on September 8th - taking the train up to Brightlingsea, contemplating a long hot motor on a calm sea down the Essex coast and a bright, swirling Thames. We had left Nereid there in a howling wind and gone back to work for a week. Extending the trip was a good idea. We were ready to go home but it would not be a shock. The Thames was as familiar as an Old Father should: Southend and Gravesend, Tilbury and Thurrock; under the bridge at Dartford to Erith; past Barking Creek and into the metropolis - Woolwich, where the ferries dance across the water in pairs - through the barrier, this time with rowboats alongside - Greenwich, and zero degrees on the GPS - the Dome, the cable car across the water new ... read more

On Monday, the August Bank Holiday, we sailed back to Brightlingsea with one reef in the main and two in the genny. Twenty four miles in three hours twenty, grey sea and grey sky, shallow water when we got there which forced us to anchor and wait for a rise in the tide. All the while the wind rose. In the harbour entrance one yacht was already aground; we crept in with only twenty centimetres under the keel. What a contrast to yesterday but how typical of our trip. We have taken our chances and they have been slim ones, sometimes. The wind has not been kind this summer. In the Channel, which was to be our cruising ground, it relentlessly pushed the sea up towards the virtual cul-de-sac of the Dover Strait, bringing almost uninterrupted ... read more

Shoreham, Littlehampton, Eastbourne, Ramsgate, then out of the Channel at last to Essex and the sheltered waters of the river Colne. This is where I learned to sail and where the sun has at last come with us. No three metre rollers here, no shipping lanes. Crews 2 and 3 have been and gone. Thank you Alison for a hundred miles; thank you Jeff for taking the plunge (your first sail and our first dunk off the back of the boat). Now we are simply the two of us again and Brightlingsea is our kind of place. This morning we took the water taxi from the pontoon to town and did the shopping in an old fashioned high street - fishmonger, green grocer, baker. I got a haircut too - we've been away a while. This ... read more

JUST SOME SHOTS.... read more

Crossed the Irminger Basin where depths exceed 9800 feet. Very windy (81 mph) with rough seas (21’ waves) today. Several in the group didn't feel well today. Too much rocking 'n rolling on the high seas. Most of us went and saw "Angels & Demons" - excellent movie. No northern lights today. ... read more

Up around 9 a.m. We were in the North Atlantic and the seas were pretty rough - lots of rocking & rolling. Roxie not feeling well again so she took some Dramamine and rested. I went to breakfast with Judy & Diana and then took my computer to the Explorer Lounge and worked on my logs. As we move closer to land, the seas seem to be calming down. We’re all at the art auction now which should start in a few minutes. Nothing for me today. The frozen marguerites are wonderful so I just ordered one as we wait for the auction to begin. If you’re interested in buying art, the place to do it is on the ships at sea. They have all the known and unknown artists and the prices are typically ½ ... read more

Slept until 9:30 a.m. again - the rocking motion of the ship is wonderful for sleeping well. Then I went for a seaweed wrap and massage. While I was wrapped up like a cocoon I got a foot/ankle (trying to help the swelling) and scalp massage. She used frangipani oil on my scalp so I got that service for free - usually has a price all its own. After I showered got a back massage and I felt better for the rest of the day. Read a while and saw “The Proposal” with Sandra Bullock. Absolutely the funniest movie I have seen in a long time. I would recommend to everyone. Formal night for dinner. ... read more