May 2009 - the Summer Cruise is almost on us..........
Posted at 7:32 AM, Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Seems like ages since I found time to update the blog. Guess we've not seen much value in continually adding notes about trips to Cowes etc. But as our ETD end June is now fast approaching, it is time to maybe resume input.
We're still finishing off jobs of Swagman, but essentially she's good to go. Had to rebuild the windlass dueto bent internal bits - all caused by too much finger action and too little attention to chain blockages late last year. Had a chippie in to cut a bigger inspection hatch into engine room so changing things like impeller or starter just that tad easier now. Have one bit of Raymarine kit off getting repairs and can;t believe how long that is taking - but hopeful it will be before we cast off heading south.
Plus got a blokey blokes stag weekend away on the boat next week, then Round the Island Race 21th June, before we turn south west and head off on the two month break. Go see this event at http://www.roundtheisland.org.uk
Once we are away, weather dependent of course, we're planning to go some way south west down the UK coast to explore a few anchorages we've not visited before. We'd then drop down across the Channel to Northern Brittany so we can enjoy some of their fabulous local music, cider, wine, moules and frits. A week of so exploring the pink granite coastline will see us round Ushant and down to Southerm Brittany - which is going to be all new to us.
We're told it is great to island hop down this coastline and we're under instructions not to rush it. We're going to take that advice this time round.
But once we do get fed up and want more sun, we'll slide out and over Biscay to the Northern Spanish Rias and spend another month with pals hopefully flying out to stop over, and meander up every Ria and river we can find before dropping down the Portuguese Atlantic coast. There are some lovely spots to hold up and scoff a grilled sardine so we'll pick and choose our way down to Cape St Vincent, and then bend eastward towards Lagos on the Algave coast.
With good fortune we should make it by late August and be on the big silver bird early September - but it;'s far too soon to be thinking about that now, isn't it?
I'll keep you posted from here on in.
Take Care JOHN