Scarborough - Day 3

Sunday 5th August 2012 - Scarborough - Day 3

Low Tide

The picture shows Selene just floating alongside the visitors' pontoon at a low spring tide.  The trawler opposite as you can see is high and dry.
We decided to have a full day in Scarborough but first had to sort out some of the problems we had encountered on the way down.
First the mast rig had to be tensioned to take the slack out of the back stays.  The new forward carpet outside the heads had to be cut away for easier opening/closing of the door.  The fresh water tank had to be flushed out to remove the excess chlorine to make the tea more palatable.

Weatherspoons

After a long walk up the hill we arrived at Weatherspoons.  Picture shows Jack and Alfie waiting to go inside where we had an excellent Sunday lunch in the 'Lord Roseberry'.
Behind the main railway station we went shopping in Tescos and collected any additional items in the cheaper shops as we descended back down the hill to the sea front which was packed with day visitors.

At night into the 'Golden Ball' and from the upstairs room gave a fine view over the harbour.  At was karoke night in the 'Newcastle Packet' and some of them were quite promising.  We finished the night off in the 'Leeds Arms' watching the Olympics 100 metre final. 

Hartlepool to Scarborough - Day 2

Saturday 4th August, 2012 - Hartlepool to Scarborough

We left Hartlepool at 08.45 to lock out by 09.00 to enable us to have another water in the channel to be able to go to sea.  At 09.15 we drifted off the Victoria Dock and had our breakfast which usually consists of cereals and tea.

Wind Farm Rig

After half an hour we were on our way across Tees Bay where there was twelve ships at anchor.  On the south side, off Redcar, there was a rig putting in the bases for yet another wind farm.
How many of these wind turbines do we really need? and are they not a blot on the landscape?
They do not get me excited and I do not think they are the answer.  Anyway some people have  employment and are making money out of it all.

Whitby

While passing Whitby at 15.10 on the VHF radio a Mayday relay was given out concerning a man overboard, where a crew member had fallen off a yacht near the North cardinal mark which was 2 1/2 miles from our position.  With Humber coastguard co-ordinating and with the help of the inshore lifeboat the person was quickly recovered and taken ashore to the lifeboat station.  The nearby yacht which had reported the Mayday relay kept reporting the situation as it unfolded and upon the completion of the rescue was praised by the coastguard for his very efficient manner and clarity of his reports.  It was satisfying to hear how this real live situation was resolved.

Scarborough

At 19.00 we arrived at Scarborough's visitors pontoon and were ashore by 20.00.
The first pub on the front 'Newcstle Packet' was noisy with a rock band blasting away.  Onto "The Merchant", there was an even noisier rock band, so out of there.  Off the main street we found the "Leeds Arms" more to our liking, an old fashioned local pub with excellent beer and stayed until we were asked to leave.  For a meal we ended up in "Ask" back on the front and when asked what meals do you serve.  Answer pizza, so we had a pizza which ended off an enjoyable Saturday.

Yacht "Selene" Holland 2012




Friday 3rd August 2012 - Blyth to Hartlepool - Day One

The Crew

With Alex Tweddle (skipper), Jack Evans (crew) and Alfie Dower (crew), "Selene" left her home port of Blyth at 11.00.

The weather was set fair as we hoisted the full main and genoa within the harbour and set off towards the piers and heading South on this year's adventure.

Blyth Piers

The engine was stopped after an hour spent charging the batteries as we enjoyed sailing past the now redundant light house on St. Mary's Island.  We past the entrance to the River Tyne after an hour and a half with no shipping movements and onwards passing the other redundant light house at Souter Point.
Our speed was reducing and not wanting to arrive at low water at our first port, the engine was started at 16.00.

The Heugh, Hartlepool

We round the corner of The Heugh at 18.15 and were in Hartlepool marina locks at 18.30.
From there we were directed to our our berth on the visitor's pontoon.
We went off shopping to the near by Asda then back to the marina and 'Rosie O' Grady' pub which was very busy.  Spent the rest of the night sat outside underneath heater lamps, (it is August) while listening to very loud disco music from inside. 
This ended our first day and we were all very please as to how easy it had been and most of all, enjoyable.  As a celebration we finished off the 'Old Putney' whiskey.
















Saturday 4th August 2012 - Hartlepool to Scarborough