Ilfracombe trip - 3-5 April

[ishtar]

Louise and I had planned to get away for the weekend, perhaps as far as Lynmouth. When we got to the club, Allan was there on Cobby Girl, heading for Ilfracombe. Thick fog and little wind, I was concerned, but thought we may as well give it a go. Locked out at 13:30:



We motored down to the Breaksea buoy. Louise had planned to sleep after working nights, but our port side nav light blew and I ended up spending 2 hours rewiring it. As she retired below, the wind got up and we enjoyed a lovely sail, hitting the English coast just East of foreland point. Couldn't see much, but Cobby girl was in contact, 2 miles or so ahead.

We reached Ilfracombe as darkness fell, and anchored just outside the outer harbour. The fog lifted and rain fell heavily.

A poor nights sleep as I was concerned that we would swing into the harbour wall. Probably had too much chain out, but I'm still learning.

[ishtar]

A much better day on Saturday. The morning was bright and sunny, with more wind. The Oldenburg readied herself for a trip to Lundy. I thought it best to move outside to give her room.



Louise took Tigger ashore before we did:

Lessons learned: tie the tender closer to the steps, put the fender on the outside and don't always assume Allan will be present to wade out into the freezing water to recover it.



Cobby Girl after a much more relaxing night than we had at anchor:



Louise is away for a few days, so I'll let her explain the significance of this strange and intrigiung picture she took whilst ashore, when she returns:

[ishtar]

I'll admit to being grumpy and nervous. Note the fenders placed ready for the 'inevitable' crash during the night as we smashed into the harbour wall:

[ishtar]

A fantastic sail up the coast to Porlock, wind behind us and hurtling along at up to 9.7 knots sog. Forland point much better now I could see it!



It was lumpy when we anchored at Porlock, but the wind dropped and we had a lovely evening:



We were invited aboard Cobby girl for Pasta and beer. excellent food and great company with Allan and Edwina. I still can't remember whether we ate an apple pie or not.

Allan ferried us back. Please don't take the red nose and his hand reaching for the oar instead of the throttle in this picture as evidence that too much alcohol was imbibed.

[ishtar]

The wind got up during the night, and, still not being too experienced at this, I slept fitfully again. The day dawned clear and sunny. Another lovely day.

Allan and Louise went ashore with the dogs. This is Lily, the most evil, black hearted animal I have ever met.



There was much gnashing of teeth and barking on the way ashore. Once again, the fabled Porlock Tsunami soaked the shore party, endangering life and limb.

[ishtar]

As I got some much needed kip, Louise sailed Ishtar back across to Cardiff, via Nash point and down past Barry. Allan and Edwina had Cobby girl sailing beautifully in the spring sunchine.



Despite being tired, and still a bit nervous, a brilliant weekend. Many thanks to Allan and edwina for great company, and the food and help they gave us novices!

I might have a couple of videos, I'll post them later if they are ok.

[Viv]

Lovely pics Martin

[Viv]

Don't forget your welcome home drink on Bythe Spirit!

[ishtar]

Yes, that was a lovely end to the weekend. I forgot to say that we did just over 100 nm, and both had a touch of scurvy. I'd been drinking my own urine since we left Penarth, such was the enormity of the undertaking.

I have a few pics of Vince on Alana I'll put up as well.

[ishtar]

Couple of vids:

Cobby Girl, sailing back to cardiff:



On Ishtar:



The real Lily - note Tigger's desperate look as he tries to get off the boat:

[snacko]

Thanks for letting us share your trip, although you are on a learning curve I am sure we are all learning with you. Great Vids & photos. Did you actually smack the harbour wall or was it a near miss?
Keep us up to date with all your adventures we do so enjoy them.

[ishtar]

No, we didn't. At one point during the night we were perhaps within 50 feet, which felt very close, but I think we were at the full extent of the chain then. I was worried, and very nearly reset the anchor, but we were ok, in the end.

And thanks for the compliments!

[Viv]

In full agreement with Snacko, love hearing about your adventures. I wonder if Lily will ever get to be friends with Tigger? They certainly are having a lot of adventures too, even if they have been press-ganged! I wonder what they say to their friends, if they are ever allowed to be at home long enough to have friends back home!Good old sea dogs!

[allan]

It was a great weekend. Here are few of my pictures.

Me emptying my boots after our trip through the world famous Porlock surf!



Louise showing us her bottom!

[ishtar]

Tigger is still not walking straight. Partly because of being on a boat for three days, and partly because of the bite marks on his back legs.

[allan]

Edwina and Lilly enjoying the wind.


My version of the Foreland picture.

[ishtar]

Lest anyone get too worried about Tigger, this is what he gets up to......





Oh, and the last time we went away, Vince and Allan ate Tigger's chicken in their curry, so Louise bought extra this time. Since they didn't eat it, and we are both Veggies, he was forced to down that as well. Lily didn't get a look in........

[ishtar]

If I remember the layout of Cobby Girl correctly, isn't Lily looking straight into the galley area? Looking for toast, maybe?

[allan]

This is a very bad picture of the "post" off Foreland. The only reason I have posted it is that it looks as if it is really badly photoshopped!
Allan

[allan]

Martin, Is that really the best end of Tigger to sleep next to?
Allan

[ishtar]

Apr 6, 2009 20:14:08 GMT allan said:

Martin, Is that really the best end of Tigger to sleep next to?
Allan

Luckily, I was unaware.......

[sandpiper]

The videos won't play - is it just me?

[sandpiper]

Ok they work now. Probably just me!!!