Have you been out today?

[David Hudson]

Ah. you southern folk!

[Dennis]

Why waste 5 months? Come and do a few days with the Erbster and me. We're not planning to spend that long off the water.

Hello Russell

If you can guarantee the weather, I could be tempted.

But, the boat has been on the water for almost 8 months, it gets in a bit of a state over that time. I have already totally emptied it, removed the mast and all spars (now hanging in garage). It is just a shell.

I will start tackling it with lots of water and various cleaning agents to restore to the condition I expect at the start of the season.

I have just ordered some marine ply for some internal mods I have been planning for some months. I estimate that I should have completed the work by the end of November.

By that time it will be decidedly nippy in this neck of the woods, and I will storing the boat in a barn until the end of Feb.

I expect to launch again at the beginning of March. (Only four months from now).

I would love to meet up with you and Charles sometime next year. The Old Gaffers event at Holyhead looks like fun.

SWMBO has started to give some thought to next years hols, I expect we might take Mary Ann to Friesland again. I will try to allocate some time for another week away with the boat (probably by myself). In between the various caravan trips.

[Ru88ell]

Not quite, but I did have a cuppa in the cockpit, in the sunshine, on my drive at home.

It can't be long now. Who'll be first?

[erbster]

Had a wonderful weekend in Porthmadog. Sailed to Criccieth on Saturday after some equipment alterations. F2-3, Genoa, Staysail and main.

Madoc YC had thoughtfully provided some Black Country ale for us on Sat night and we passed a comfortable night aboard, with the assistance of a fan heater

Today we sailed to shell island and followed the creek up to Pensarn. After lunch in the sun, we returned to Portmadog in very light airs. Almost home, the wind picked up to f3 and we were making excellent progress with the same 3 sails, when there was a pop and the turning block with the main halyards came off, so we had to return downwind on genoa (+ engine).

Pictures to follow on the blog. Hoping to repeat the exercise (sailing that is, not breaking the boat) next weekend...

[Ru88ell]

Erbster is out today in Porthmadog. Check his position:-

http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/default.aspx?oldmmsi=235094284&zoom=10&olddate=lastknown#

[Ru88ell]

Yes, but only to motor from the trailer to the pontoon. Currently rafted alongside Erbster in Aurora in Porthmadog harbour.

[Dennis]

Yes, but only to motor from the trailer to the pontoon.

Ditto

Launched Mary Ann today for the Kielder Water season, only motored from launching ramp to mooring (0.25 Nm).

Perishingly cold (3 C) with a biting 20 mph easterly, at least the sun was shining.

Good to be on the water though!

[Ru88ell]

Yes, I've been out with Erbster; we sailed 14 miles south from Porthmadog to Barmouth in a F6 from the east. It was bloody freezing. We're now tied up to the wall being the centre of attention in the small Welsh seaside town. Sailing in company is great fun.

[SimonW]

Well, here I am in my office and needing a few minutes of distraction so log on to the forum and see that erbster and Ru88ell are actually out sailing. Hit the Aurora AIS and see you are doing 6 knots at 307 degrees from 18 knots of North Easterly. Looks like Pwilltheli is the port your heading for and no doubt you will report back on the forum when you are moored up! Don't you just love the Technology!!:)

That said I am jealous sitting here as you must have had a cracking sail from Barmouth, if very cold. Are you in two cc19's or just Aurora?

Enjoy;)

[Ru88ell]

Just about to tuck into well deserved tea and scones in Puffwelly marina, correctly identified by SimonW. Charles and Nicky are in Aurora and I'm alone in Zephyr, which concentrates the mind when it's blowing like that.

So we sailed from Barmouth to Pwllheli via the East Channel off Mochras. Both of us with two reefs and staysail. Very exciting and lots of spray. In two days we havnt seen another sailing boat out.

You're going to love the video from today!