| Ameera |
Going HomeI've waited a long time to write this entry, too long.Last year I moved to the Isle of Man. Lock, stock & barrel - except for Ameera who languished lonely in Fleetwood. I visited her occasionally when "across" in the UK, but a conspiracy of work, weather and housebuying prevented me from moving her across to the island. The day finally came, yesterday. The forecast was for F3 - F4, sea state slight to moderate, and the plan was that I would fly to Blackpool, meet up with Seedog (Doug) at Fleetwood, and we would sail across catching the high tide at 9AM, to be in Douglas in time to enjoy an evening meal together. That was the plan. It soon started to unravel. I landed on time at Blackpool (8AM), and phoned Doug who was travelling to Blackpool by train. His train was stationary, stuck behind a broken-down goods train awaiting the arrival of assistance. So I should carry on to Fleetwood and sort the boat while Doug caught up. Fair enough, so at Blackpool "International" Airport I waited for a Taxi. And waited. And waited. And xxxxxxx waited. After 50 minutes I finally got one, meaning that at the planned time of sailing I was being driven slowly up the Blackpool promenade into Cleveleys where the ferry Riverdance was clearly visible lying sad and forlorn on her side. Speaking to Doug he was still stuck on the train. I eventually arrived at Fleetwood, dumped my kit on Ameera, and went to have a last coffee with Pete, the marina manager, while paying my outstanding dues. Doug was making progress and should alight at Blackpool soon. Then onto Asda to buy supplies (sarnies, beer and water), before returning to Ameera to get her ready. I had checked with the marina and learned that the lock gates would be closed at 10:50. At 10:40 Doug arrived, and I let him into the marina compound then went off to the office to return my keys. We hurriedly slipped out, and passed through the lock with a couple of minutes to spare, unprepared and hassled. Catching our breath we motored up the Fleetwood channel out to Lune Deep before raising sail. Motoring was slow. Months of neglect showed. Ameera's bottom was filthy, weed-covered, and far from hydrodynamic. Top whack - 5 knots speed over ground with tidal assistance. With the sails up the picture looked brighter and we started cruising effortlessly at 6.5 knots on sail and motor. Perhaps, having left almost 2 hours late we could recover some ground and make up some of our schedule. Then the wind died.With sails flapping listlessly we were reduced to 4.5 knots. This was evidently destined to be a slow trip. But we were on our way, on the water, and finally taking Ameera home.  Leaving England behind.  Passing the Barrow in Furness windfarm We may have been making slow progress and praying for a breeze, but at least the weather was good. Doug and I turned browner in the unremitting sunshine, alternating logging progress and checking the boat in some unspoken contract. We saw the Ben My Chree three times, outbound to Heysham, returning to Douglas, and finally outbound again...  We passed the many platforms in this area of the Irish Sea  We saw a bit of wildlife - a seal, a dolphin, and assorted birds. Either too far away for the camera, or I was not quick enough! And the miles ground past. Ever so slowly, speed dropping to 4 knots as the tide turned against us, with the engine chugging away. A moment's drama three quarters of the way across, when the engine spluttered. I hurredly refilled the diesel tank from the spare jerry can we were carrying. Another consequence of the weed, Ameeera was consuming more than twice the amount of fuel that I had expected. As we closed on the island the sun was setting, and I was desperately hoping that we would make it before dark so that I could see my way into Douglas harbour.  Sailing into the sunset ! We had a glorious sunset, but we didn't make it in time before the light died. At 21:05 I called Douglas Harbour Control to request permission to enter - with 2 miles remaining we had an ETA of 20 minutes. We were told that our ETA coincided with that of the Viking, the Douglas - Liverpool high-speed ferry operated by the Isle of Man Steam Packet, so we would have to hang around in Douglas bay and let the ferry in first. We did, with Doug stuggling to take down the sails while I helmed us through the wash of the Viking. She doesn't slow until the last moment before turning for her approach into the harbour, so she had entered the bay at close to 30 knots, and while a safe distance away (we had spoken with her while she approached and adjusted our course northwards to give her more room) her wash was still rather bouncy! With Viking berthed we were allowed into Douglas harbour, but by now it was dark. Too dark to see the entrance, so we cautiously fumbled our way in before Harbour Control raised the swing bridge for us to pass into the refuge of the inner harbour. We tied up at 10PM, having taken 11 hours to make a 55 mile crossing, and tidied Ameera before catching a taxi to our beds. Following a brief night's sleep I collected Doug from the hotel this morning to return him to Douglas in time for hime to catch the ferry back to the UK. Ameera sat serenely to the left of the swing bridge looking quite at home.  Thanks Doug. Great crossing. Shame about the wind and dinner, but you must come back to Mann and we'll have another go. 12:33 PM - May. 3, 2008 - post comment
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Description Ameera's Log Home User Profile Archives Recent Entries - Going Home - Mrs. Craggy's Big Day Out - Summer? What Summer? - Denizens of Fleetwood - First Time With The Washing Out |