Finding An Old Friend

The sun came out just in time for the start gun in the Jester Challenge Race.
It bucketed down all morning, turn just after 11 the heavens opened to sunshine.

We pooled out to see them off, no wind and a mega contrast to yesterday but at least it was in the right direction...easterly.

Huge admiration for them all, not all 70 plus made it to the start line but it wasnt a bad show with lots of additional flotilla like us sending them off.
Safe passage to all.





We came back in with sea fog rolling in behind us and came across a pleasant surprise on the run into the marina. Steve and his dads old boat. We first saw it when we came down to Plymouth, moored at Saltash and looking very sorry for herself. Well she too has been given a new lease of life and is now moored here at the marina.

Post berthing and a late lunch we went over to have a look. Lots of the additions that they had put on were still there an she sat very proud in her berth all ready to go. We saw her out on the water a few weeks back with both sails up, heeled over, having a blast and wondered if she had a new owner as looked loved again...now we know. Funny old world.













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The Darn Autopilot

Winds were a gusting yesterday touching 38 knots at the breakwater and white horses just out of the marina so it was no go on the swailing front.

We pitched up to help out on Mairadon and there really has been big steps this week. The new hatches are on and the windows spanking, new guard wires have been fitted and she is beginning to look ship shape.

The engine goes back in this week and the work on the rigging for the boom will start.

When we arrived the boys were talking whisker or telescopic poles! No wonder work is slow as all they do is talk talk talk! Not sure what if any option has been chosen as its not essential what is is sorting out the autopilot that just wouldn't work.

Whilst they pontificated next steps I got the polish out and scrubbed and polished the top and all the metalwork. Despite all her neglect this tlc is not taking much in bringing her back to life and the removal of grime has left her sparkling once again.

After doing all the suggested testing by Raymarine, the autopilot is still not working, there was many a scratched head and sigh of frustration from the boys most of the afternoon. The ram works as we tried it on our boat last night, so think they just have a duff one. Back it will go and then start all over again refitting the new one.

Eventually the wind dropped last night and we enjoyed supper back aboard RedSnapper on deck in the sunshine.

The Jester boat was making last minute passage jobs and this morning like me up bright and breezy and have been hoisting their sail up and down for Blighty.

It's cloudy and drizzly here today but warm, the fleet sets off at lunchtime on their transatlantic adventure. Here is to a safe passage for all of them.










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Jester

The sun may be shining but the wind is blowing a hooley here today.

After being becalmed in Exeter yesterday and both of us hot and bothered we zipped down the dual carriageway way last night and chilled out and cooled down over supper.

Not sure we,ll be swailing today as it won't be pleasant. The marina had boats in gearing up for the Jester Azores Challenge 2012.

There are 72 entries in all but am sure not all will make the start line.

The race as described on their website is run on a gentlemanly basis with the following guidelines :

You must be a sailing vessel between 20-30ft and human power is the only acceptable alternative propulsion to that of the wind:rowing or club hauling for instance are permissible.

It's also a single handed race with stops allowed and no time limit. The race was born out of size restrictions to the single handed transatlantic race and the original Jester a 25ft folkboat is steeped in nautical miles and history.

Funny looking thing and there is a replica one just berthed up from us that is taking part in the race.
Let's hope the hooley drops for their departure on Sunday.

On Operation Mairadon, the new hatches are in and windows replaced.....yeah she is watertight just need to sort out that darn autopilot now!









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Location:Mayflower Marina

Ray Of Sunshine

A lovely way to end my day off. I picked up ELG up from school all hot and bothered from an afternoon being an Olympian! The best bit, she had held the Olympic torch as one if the teachers had been a runner this week when it had come to Exeter. So not only had she seen the relay but held the torch all in one week.....one cool banana!

Quick dash home to change and shower as boy was it hot and then off we pootled to town to do some shopping. We love shopping together and yesterday was no exception, we blitzed many shops in just the hour before they closed and ELG was delighted with her new bling bag!

Supper was outside and the chance to girly gossip something else we do well , whilst post supper with tummys full up we sat on cathedral green and watched the world go by. Big concert last night so there were all walks of life wending their way about. After a fab debate on car speed (!) and why do they make cars that go over the speed limit it was home time and a quick rendition from The Billionaires Son.

Just love an evening like that, a whirlwind but full of fun.














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Location:Exeter

Pampering On A School Day

The sun is shining brightly and I am having a me me me me day.

Sat in the hairdressers as I write this being transformed as the wild woman of Borneo look was back with a vengeance! Not pleasant to say the least and the new addition of bilge paint that wouldn't come out from last weekend wasn't helping with the wild look either.

It's all go! Amazing what a bit of pampering can do to the soul an I am not finished yet!

Rounding off my day in the most perfect way, I am picking up my gorgeous neice from work and we are having a girls night out!

Shopping, dinner out and girly gossip....looking forward to it.
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Nautical But Nice.......All Things Rhubarb

I love this time of year for lots of things but on the foraging front I just love it for all things rhubarb. It's time to get the witches cauldrons out again after a short spell in hibernation.

I spent last night post work chewing the cud on a friends allotment, plotting this seasons delights in the jam and chutney department as the fruit and veg is coming long now at a rate of knots!

We picked our first rhubarb and there is tons more to come and last night prepped some to steep for jam making tonight. The remainder will be thrown into another pot for a new recipe spiced fig and rhubarb chutney recipe that I have found, plus enough let over to get the first rhubarb liqueur mix on the go! Love it....so therapeutic and the end result ain't too bad either.





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Blitz Time.....................

Whilst Operation Mairadon went into day 2, I stayed at home to undertake Operation Roffe towers blitzing session.

Domestic slavery, baking a jubilee cake and catching up on a mountain of work that had accrued whilst away last week. It was full on and yes I even managed to fit in mowing the front lawn!

I think I had the more successful day, although my mother in law on round 2 of blitzing the top of Mairadon now has her spotless and gleaming again.

The boys and their toys though didn't fair so well, with the new autopilot still not working and das captain bringing home the manual for homework. It was a similar story with the chart plotter and VHF radio.

They did achieve something.....the 2 new self tailoring winches are on and very dapper they are so well worth it! Happy days.

Progress on Mairadon

We swapped the high seas yesterday for a weekend of boat labour helping the in-laws out on their bot.

They are only a few weeks into Operation Mariadon but what a difference already.

She smells like a boat again and not the manky musty pit she was a few weeks back. With her new lick of paint as well in the lockers she is cleaning up nicely.

The old cushions have gone and new ones have been made and will be delivered the week after next.

Whilst the interior wood will have a major overhaul in the winter, the rotten pilot berth has been removed and the remaining wood has cleaned up nicely.
The yard next week will replace the windows and new hatches are going in so she will be back to being watertight again.

So whilst the boys played with fitting the new autopilot the girls have scrubbed and scrubbed and yes......scrubbed! The top was absolutely filthy and we have blitzed her. She looks heaps better and is now ready for round two!

The bow cabin interior lockers have been painted and the wash boards sanded and given their first coat of varnish.

We even managed a hike to stretch out the back and legs after so much crouching whilst the boys still phaffed around with the autopilot! By the time the came back it was job done, the remaining instruments will go in today.

Launch date has been set for the 22nd June so there is something to aim for. The engine is back in the end of May. Its all go go go and she is well on her way to coming back to her former glory and more.









































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Location:Totnes

Battered & Bruised

Been away for the last few days and have arrived home a patchwork of black and blue and absolutely knackered.

From what you may ask, well performing the Haka for a duration for one and then a high rope course that went on for hrs, but I completed it.

Was it fun in hindsight yes, would I do it again...the Haka, everyday, the high ropes never.

Back to normality today climbing more height but this time a bot ladder to go and help out on operation Mairadon.










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Our Room With A View Yesterday

Photos say it all, it was beautiful out on the water yesterday.


















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All Or Nothing With The Wind

It's a tale of two days, gusting winds on Friday and then variable I don't know quite what to do with myself of yesterday.

It was a slow crawl as we left the marina yesterday, every mad englishman, their dog and bot was out on the water. The wind was nothing as we tacked and gybed trying to find a meagre whiff.

Beyond the breakwater we eventually found some and had a cracking sail to the yealm leaving every other boat in our wake.

The yealm was packed to the rafters with everyone our enjoying the fair weather. We ended up rafting against some people we know from the marina and watched as lots of boats turned back again as there was no more room at the inn.

I expect Celler Bay at the river entrance is packed this morning as its the only place that you can anchor.

We paid a visit to Newton Ferrers last night as we haven't been this year.

It's a lovely hillside walk along the river to the pub. We haven't been as it had changed hands and really gone to the dogs, but on arrival it was jam packed and with new owners and a facelift inside.

What a difference, back to its old self again, my river yealm mussels were delicious and das captain enjoyed his ling fish and chips.

After a quick pint at the local yacht club we wendered our way home via a slight detour up the river to see the beautiful Kitley Estate. It was simply stunning in the last light of the day, these photos just don't do it justice.


















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Location:Newton Ferrers

A Swell Swail

We set off for the Yealm yesterday but the omens weren't great as we got out of the marina. We could see the swell and crashing waves pouring over the Plymouth as we pointed our bow out to sea.

The wind was gusting violently and a first for us a big swell in the sound which you don't normally see unless you are beyond the breakwater!

So it wasn't a good idea to head for a narrow channelled entrance where the likelihood of clanging our keel in the swell was almost certain.

Lots of boats heading out and as they got past the breakwater heading back which affirmed that where we were was as calm as it was going to get!

So amongst the british, German and Norwegian warships plus a submarine thrown in for good measure, we let out the genoa and ripped around the sound for a few hours.

It was fabulous and exhilarating battling the elements as we tacked and gybed our way around. We nearly hit eight knots, which would be a record for Redsnapper and she just loved it!

After a few hours of fun we headed back up the river to a lively spot where the River Tamar meets the River Lynher.

We passed HMS Montrose who had earlier that morning returned to port after six months in the Falklands with a full escort of fire hoses hailing her return.

We picked up a buoy in a secluded and sheltered part of the river and after a late lunch just sat and watched the world go by for the afternoon.

The wind as we came back up the river towards the marina was still playing up and we the most ungraceful entrance into our berth ever!

We have caught our misdemeanours on camera as das captain who has GoPro camera envy has bought a gizmondo to attach our video camera to on the back of das bot.

All in all not what we planned but a great day sailing never the less. Today there is not a drop of wind as I write this so we should be up and away shortly.





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Long Weekend

The world is slowly coming to life here down @ the marina, although I was rudely awakened by a pneumatic drill by men working on the public slipway opposite at some ungodly hour this morning. Isn't there a law out there that stops them working before 9 o'clock!

Das captain is still sleeping, we are both tres knackered after a hectic week in the NHS, so are both glad to be off for three days and doing what we love best, swailing on das bot.

After a late finish for both of us we headed home, grabbed the bags and made it toot suite down the A38 in record time. The marina is quiet and we wound down over a lovely supper, beers and banter at Jolly Jacks.

He,ll be up some as we want to leave on high tide. The River Yealm calls today and then tomorrow we are going to head down to Fowey. We've been twice by car this year and not by water which is just not on, so looking forward to getting the wind in the sails and giving this bot a good work out.


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Internet V Chandlery

We had a full house last night as Operation Mairadon went into full pelt.

After a bank holiday of full on boat labour the boat interior is clear, some major cleaning has gone on....with a lot more to do and the labour list has been made.

Priorities over the next few weeks will be the new hatches and resealing all the windows to get this boat watertight again. With all the cushions off to be remade with new foam and upholstery and the STUFF removed the boat smells different already.

The boys huddled over the laptop last night and set off on the ordering of new toys to get this bot shipshape. We didn't hear a peep for a long time.

We are a huge advocates of local boat yards and chandlers but when the list is long and never ending with boat gizzmondos there is the dilemma of where you can get the cheapest price.

The boys have saved hundreds of pounds tonight by shopping on line so it was no contest and are consoled that the work that Bob can't do can be done by local yards and businesses.

There was a day when everything was bought via your local chandlers...not now, it's like the demise of the local corner shop.....consumer demand et al we are still trying to do our bit albeit not as much as before.

On the swailing front, short week for us this week, as we have a long weekend. The weather is looking good so we should be dropping the lines and heading out to sea.

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Location:Home

ARC 2012

It's that time of year again and we,ve seen the first bot in the marina with their flag flying who will be leaving port and doing this fantastic circuit.

This flag is from a Hanse 46 from Norway who has wended his way down and across the channel and landed here in Plymouth. She is alongside another boat that has made their way down from the South East Coast.

There are a few entries whose home port is Plymouth and at least one from Mayflower again this year.

The race to prep, maintain and provision is on, how exciting, it will be us I hope in the not too distant future!

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May Day NOT Mayday!

May day is an ancient Northern Hemisphere spring festival and in most countries a traditional spring public holiday.

The earliest May Day celebrations appeared in pre-Christian times with May Day known for its tradition of dancing the maypole dance and crowning of the May Queen. May Day has been a traditional day of celebration throughout recent times and centuries, with towns and villages  celebrating with village fetes and lots of Morris dancing.

In a regular anchoring spot near us in Plymouth the villagers of Kingsand & Cawsand  celebrate the Flower Boat Ritual, where a likesize model of the ship Black Prince  is covered in every flower you can imagine to celebrate spring and is taken in a grand procession by the troops from HMS Raleigh from the Quay at Millbrook to the beach at Cawsand where it is set adrift to a full blown firework display.

Here's hoping today is not too soggy for them.............

Welcome To Mairadon

Papers and cash exchanged today and my father in law has returned to swailing with his new purchase.

So with foul weather (no change...yawn) we headed down to Totnes to clear her out inside in preparation for the next 8 weeks of boat labour to get her back in the water.

The boat has only had two owners, well one really until he passed it down to his son and now Bob.

She was a treasure trove inside, brought over from Ireland and then left to neglect somewhat, so we spent the afternoon on the mammoth task of clearing STUFF!!

You name it we found it, lots (and i mean lots) went in the bin but a lot we have salvaged and brought home. Amongst the treasure was a sextant, untouched in its original wooden box and in perfect condition.

This boat must have been stunning when she first set sail, but now after a few years of neglect is a sad and sorry state inside. Good job Bob has vision and we know after a few months she will be sooo different, loved and with new life breathed into her. After the winter on the hard with more love and attention, she,ll be transformed.

Eight hands made light work and we finished @ five after blitzing all the way through. Tomorrow she,ll be cleaned, then cushions off (they are vile and carry a health warning) and the real work can begin.

Exciting times ahead, can't wait to see the end result.





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Location:Totnes

Almost The Weekend

Tres knackered and my weekend doesn't start @ five pm today either. I am oncall today, 2nd in a week so it's been full on.

Das captain is off to das bot tonight and I,ll join him tomorrow once my call is finished. Weather remains dodgy, fed up off being soggy from all this water, but hopefully we,ll drop the lines and get away somewhere for some r n r.

On the Wave Warrior front it's all positive, the survey came back structurally sound et al, with just a recommendation that all the windows get replaced...happy days. All being well there will be a new bot in the Roffe family by the end of next week and then it's mission on to get her ready for the end of June.


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Fennnnnnnnton!

Don't know if you have seen the YouTube link for Fenton the dog walking in Bushey Park but it is absolutely hilarious.

I am in the big smoke and en route to my afternoon meeting.

Came up last night, stayed with my friend and girly gossiped over a bottle of vino ....swooper.

Meet Dylan....or Dyyyyyyyylan the most gorgeous ball of fluff you could meet. We had a mad reunion last night and a swooper walk in Bushey Park this morning avoiding the deer @ all costs.

Instead he made for the mud ditches and rolled around for England..........Dyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyylan!


















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