The logbook
These are the real notes from the boat, kept as we travel. They are not polished: they are weather, wildlife, breakdowns, early starts and the quiet moments that make a journey.
London
We are on the way to London and it is going to test all of us, the boat included. The skipper is looking forward to it. While Mike is working, I am ironing to calm my nerves. Then another fuse blows! After mooring next to some wooden piles and checking every fuse, we think we have found the culprit. Everything is back on track, I hope. And we are through Richmond Lock!
Hammersmith to Chiswick
Perfect day for boating. The captain moved the boat out of St Katharine Docks perfectly. With the tide behind us we made for Hammersmith Bridge and a small pier, then a few bridges later moored up successfully in Chiswick. Theatre night tonight, Stranger Things at the Phoenix Theatre. It took us three hours and seventeen thousand steps to walk there, so we rewarded ourselves in a nice Japanese bar.
Chiswick to Chatham
Left Chiswick early under cloudy skies. The ducks had made their dirty business on the top of the boat overnight, but the captain cleaned it up impeccably and Che Bella Vita was shiny again. We passed the Thames Barrier and kept going, arriving at Chatham Marina just as another fuse blew before entering the lock. After a small hiccup (the thrusters stopped working in the lock) we settled down nicely for the night.
Off Dover
The next afternoon, the white cliffs came into view. These photographs and a short film record our arrival at Dover: chalk cliffs above the water, our wake below the window and an Irish Ferries ship passing nearby. A new stretch of the journey, beyond the Thames.
Strait of Dover
Our first proper sea travel. It started rough at Dover and got rougher within the hour. We lost a few crystal glasses and a vase. The boat was jumping up and down, and I got a bit sick while trying to clean up the mess, which was not a good idea. We arrived at Eastbourne eventually, with much better sea and weather, and went to bed as soon as we had eaten.
Eastbourne to Portsmouth
And we are off again. The sea was lovely and we could not waste a minute. We carried on past Beachy Head and by 21:38 we could see the Portsmouth lights. We had arrived.
North Atlantic Ocean
Absolutely plain sailing. Beautiful sea, and we saw dolphins, lots of them! Lots of videos and Facebook posts later, we arrived at Torquay. It was tough to find the entrance to the harbour because the harbour master was off, but the captain performed brilliantly and landed us in the harbour absolutely impeccably.
English Channel
Early start today. Left Torquay at 6am on our way to Plymouth. The sea was a bit rough, but it was going to get worse next week, so if we wanted to make progress we just had to go. The nature was amazing, though.
Falmouth
Early start again. Out of Plymouth at 4am, hard going through the night, but the captain was amazing as usual. I took watch for a bit. After a few hours at sea our friends the dolphins joined us again. So amazing.
English Channel
It took us twelve hours, but the sea was much calmer by the end of the journey. We made it to Padstow.
Mouth of the River Severn
Our skipper managed to bring the boat from Padstow to Portishead. Last night we had roast chicken and a few wines. This morning we carried on toward Cardiff.
River Severn
It was an amazing day on the river again. We took our dinghy out and had a great jolly. Wales was right there across the water.
GL13
A few things changed since we set out for Cardiff. We did not get there, and decided to go to Portishead instead. It was so nice to see a few friends. Bristol tomorrow.
Bristol to Portishead
All ready to set off to Scotland. First stop Portishead marina to drop Liam and go out again. Today’s destination is Mumbles, three hours to go.
Oxwich Bay
Oxwich Bay early morning. This is the reason why you buy a boat. The captain solved an issue and we were on our way to Milford Haven. By 1:53pm there was a military exercise going on around us.
Pembroke
Waiting for the weather to calm down before going back to our little bay. And Mike lost his wallet! But it was successfully recovered by a lovely lady and handed over to the local police station. It was back with the captain just before the weather got better. Alleluia.
Milford Haven
Leaving Milford Haven and hoping to anchor tonight. By 1:57pm we were at St Davids. Lovely journey, we saw two dolphins and the weather was on our side. The captain is amazing, as usual. And we are moored up safely.
Aberporth Bay
Passage plan: Tresaith Beach to Porth Dinllaen. We slept all night through and the sea was lovely and calm. A bit overcast and not very good visibility. We waited for the right tides to go. By 6:30pm we could see the land, and by 9:10pm we had arrived.
Porth Dinllaen
Passage plan: Porth Dinllaen to Liverpool Marina via the Menai Strait. Slight adjustment, Conwy Harbour. We started at 7:30am. By 9:21am the fog had lifted. By 10:29am we were at the Menai Strait, anchored down and waiting for the tide. At 5:37pm we were on the move again. By 10:12pm we were sitting down with a glass of wine and the TV. What a day.
Lower Gate Street, Conwy
A bit grey and cloudy, but absolutely spectacular views. Loving every minute of it. Thank goodness we have a tender. At 1:29pm we realised we could not get back until the tide returned. At 7:50pm we were back home again.
Conwy Harbour to Preston
Passage plan: Conwy Harbour to Preston Marina. We left Conwy at around 10am and hoped to get near Preston in the evening. At 2:10pm there were miles and miles of windmills. We arrived at Preston Marina at 12:10am.
Riversway Business Village, Preston
Passage plan: Preston Marina to Fleetwood Marina. We had a passenger with us today. Jo said he was very excited to pop along. Lunch was over and done with, and we decided to start moving at 3pm. We could not get full revs this time, but thankfully we were going slow anyway.
We do not keep a fixed schedule. Tell us where you would like to join the boat and we will be in touch when the weather, route and timing line up.
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