Dover to Sovereign Harbour
30/08/06 11:18
A relatively early start and it looks like there may be a good days sailing in prospect.
Take bunkers in Dover at a price of £0.55p per litre. The cheapest I have ever got in the UK.
Dover Marina are very efficient in opening the gate for me and I settle up after a longish stay. Good tariff and helpful staff. I like Dover marina.
Around Dungeness the wind veers and it is clear it will be a very long time to Sovereign harbour unless the motor is deployed. This is duly done and a reasonably fast if uncomfortable passage ensues. I dislike reverting to the motor if sailing conditions deteriorate but motoring is preferable to extended passage times against a foul tide.
Sovereign harbour locking and subsequent berthing are achieved with minimal fuss in complete contrast to last time here. Nothing like a trip through Holland to hone ones locking skills.
Take bunkers in Dover at a price of £0.55p per litre. The cheapest I have ever got in the UK.
Dover Marina are very efficient in opening the gate for me and I settle up after a longish stay. Good tariff and helpful staff. I like Dover marina.
Around Dungeness the wind veers and it is clear it will be a very long time to Sovereign harbour unless the motor is deployed. This is duly done and a reasonably fast if uncomfortable passage ensues. I dislike reverting to the motor if sailing conditions deteriorate but motoring is preferable to extended passage times against a foul tide.
Sovereign harbour locking and subsequent berthing are achieved with minimal fuss in complete contrast to last time here. Nothing like a trip through Holland to hone ones locking skills.
Dunkirk to Dover
18/08/06 04:13
Another early start sees us leave at 08:30. The forecast is for SE winds F3-4 veering to SW F4-5 which should make for a good sail across to Dover.
We clear harbour at 09:13. The sails are hoisted and the engine is turned off. At first it is a good days sailing but it seems that the wind has veered SW fairly quickly and by 11:00 we are struggling to sail our required course.
We cross the traffic separation zone at right angles but there are not too many ships and none come close. At 15:00 Sandettie is bearing 068 x 4.1 miles. The wind has increased to SW F5-6 and we are making a lot of leeway. This is setting us to the east of Dover. Sail has been reduced to 3 reefs in the main, and 1/3 yankee.
At 16:00 it is clear we cannot sail to Dover so the yankee is furled and we begin to motorsail. At 17:00 the wind has increased to SW F7. The seas have become quite violent and steep.
At 17:50 as we pound towards the western entrance to Dover the harbour launch comes out to meets us and because conditions are so bad they offer to escort us through the busy eastern entrance (ferry entrance). We follow and enter Dover harbour safely.
Initially we moor at berth E70 in Granville dock, Dover marina. However, when they find that I want to stay for around 10 days they suggest Wellington dock which has more restricted opening hours but is cheaper. We move round and are all fast in berth 92 at 19:20.
Daily Run: 41.5 miles Berth to Berth 10hrs 50min
Kiriwina is cleaned and secured ready for my departure tomorrow. I have a wedding to attend.
We clear harbour at 09:13. The sails are hoisted and the engine is turned off. At first it is a good days sailing but it seems that the wind has veered SW fairly quickly and by 11:00 we are struggling to sail our required course.
We cross the traffic separation zone at right angles but there are not too many ships and none come close. At 15:00 Sandettie is bearing 068 x 4.1 miles. The wind has increased to SW F5-6 and we are making a lot of leeway. This is setting us to the east of Dover. Sail has been reduced to 3 reefs in the main, and 1/3 yankee.
At 16:00 it is clear we cannot sail to Dover so the yankee is furled and we begin to motorsail. At 17:00 the wind has increased to SW F7. The seas have become quite violent and steep.
At 17:50 as we pound towards the western entrance to Dover the harbour launch comes out to meets us and because conditions are so bad they offer to escort us through the busy eastern entrance (ferry entrance). We follow and enter Dover harbour safely.
Initially we moor at berth E70 in Granville dock, Dover marina. However, when they find that I want to stay for around 10 days they suggest Wellington dock which has more restricted opening hours but is cheaper. We move round and are all fast in berth 92 at 19:20.
Daily Run: 41.5 miles Berth to Berth 10hrs 50min
Kiriwina is cleaned and secured ready for my departure tomorrow. I have a wedding to attend.