And We Are Off!

Day 1.  Goole to Grimsby

Having enjoyed a lovely run on day 1 and covering 38.4 nautical miles in a NE3, it was nice to return to Moonshine's old stomping ground with the confidence we had arrived with no major issues.

Day 2.  Grimsby to Lowestoft

 

This 2nd leg of our journey is the longest passage with few safe havens. We left Grimsby on glassy seas until Race Bank then a bit of breeze got up and lifted the sea a bit. At Cromer as usual it was a bit lumpy, and we had to be on high alert for crab pots. We had good help from the tide along the Norfolk coast, however the storm clouds were building up upon approach to Caister which meant the last 45 minutes of the trip were quite lumpy with southerly wind against tide and intermittent heavy rain. We eventually arrived at Lowestoft and entered the harbour following the lifeboat after it had saved six people cut off by the tide at Pakefield. Now we have got this 97.8 nautical miles out of the way Moonshine is officially on holiday!

Day 3.  Lowestoft 

 

Day 3 was a day in port to relax after fuelling up in the morning, so the kids and dogs could recover from yesterday's long trip. The seafront in the early evening was overrun by children and young adults following the latest craze that is Pokemon Go... Whatever next!

Day 4.  Lowestoft to Dover

 

 

Huge progress made today having made Dover, logging 92.6 nautical miles within 4 hours 28 minutes. As ever Dover Port Control and Marina staff were very efficient at getting us into port inbetween the busy ferry traffic and providing a berth for us within the tidal basin. It looks like the UK is on high alert as we passed two large UK Border Force Cutters on patrol off the Kent coast.

Day 5.  Dover to Eastbourne

 

The sun is out again today and with calm weather forecast we thought we would cover the 46.5 nautical miles to Eastborne. We enjoyed a good trip until off Hastings when the SW breeze that had been forecast for later in the day arrived early. We then endured an hour of choppy short sharp head seas until safely inside the breakwaters. 

Always looking ahead to see what the weather is forecast, it looks as if it is going to be quite breezy down here until the end of the week, which will unfortunately scupper our plans at visiting the Isle of Wight. In view of this, whilst the weather is calm tomorrow morning we will do the short 20 mile hop to Brighton and that will have to be as far south as we go...unless the weather forecast changes.