Kevin Birch

Yesterday after a cooked breakfast, which Kev had to brave the heavy rain to obtain, we hopped on the bus to Broadstairs and got a coffee in Chiappini’s, est. 1950s, looking out over the sea. Then we split up, the girls went to the two p machines and the chaps had a walk to the bar at the end of the Jetty. Successful time in the amusements with 3 new ducks for the collection. Then we went for ice cream in Morelli’s est 1932. Highly recommended. Then a wander round some shops for the girls and the chaps listened to a musician at the bandstand. Bus back to Ramsgate then a drink in the Royal Temple Yacht Club. (Happy hour 5-7pm). Popped to Tesco for dinner, spatchcock chicken with pesto pasta. A few drinks then to bed. Up at 5am for a 6.30 departure following our 2 night stop in Ramsgate. We left with Freya. Sailed well until Kentish flats wind farm then wind on the nose and it didn’t matter which way we turned the wind seemed to turn with us. Punching tide first and last two hours. Sea state choppy. Lunch Ham and cheese sandwiches, crisps and carrot & coriander soup. Dark grey clouds as we came up the Medway, but luckily only a small amount of rain. 1 seal sighting, lots of lobster pots. Got into Marina all ok. Freya always back 2 hours ahead of us. We need new sails!! Went to Mast and Rigging for dinner, pie and mash all round. Got back to Toucan and we were all ready for a sleep. Mandy left early next morning, we had a use up omelette (with sausage, bacon, cheese, spring onion and tomato) and some fried French bread for bread. The end to a fantastic Trip.

Monday we had a cooked breakfast the. walked into Town, stopped for lunch (baguettes and a drink) at Tout Choud. Wandered up to Hotel De Ville then headed to the Port museum of Dunkirk to go on the three boats. Duchesse Anne, Sandettié and Entreprenant. Then back to Toucan via the carrefour express. Got on the free bus into town for dinner out at the L'Estaminet Flamand a traditional restaurant. We went with the 3 course meal with an aperitif, beer and apple gin €33.50. Starters: pate and cheese tart, main: beef stew with gingerbread! Pudding: crème brûlée and ice cream. Had to walk back at the buses finish about 9pm. A few drinks on African Breeze before bed. Next morning change of plans as the sea state was rough so stayed in Dunkirk and took the bus to Gravelines. Had lunch in a cafe (Giant cheese and ham baguette) then had a wander around the town fortifications then had a well deserved beer in a bar on the square. Bus back to Dunkirk with a stop off at Auchen. Dinner on board (Pan Haggerty with French sausages, potato, onion,courgette, tomato and cheese.) African Breeze crew came for a few drinks on Toucan. Headed to bed early as an early start. Had decided to head home tomorrow as the weather was turning. Up at 6.30 sandwiches (Ham and cheese) and chicken soup made for lunch. Had to refuel and drop the forms of for border control then headed home to Ramsgate. Calm crossing, one possible seal sighting and we saw Wilson (from Castaway) floating in the water. Also had a wooden pallet heading towards but managed to avoid. We saw a Russian War Ship, being followed by a UK patrol ship along with a NATO vessel. Got back to Ramsgate in good time, mainly motor sailing as the winds were not great. Wetherspoons for dinner then home to bed.

Early start up at 6.15 to prep lunch. Juicy ham from a tin and the liquid was spilling over the chopping board, tasted considerably good. Started of well with a seal sighting just outside of Ramsgate harbour. Calm sea state, not much wind so motored most of the way. Yanmar running well all day. No sea sickness today. Got through the traffic separation scheme with no problems. Cheese and ham sandwhiches for lunch dipped in tomatoe soup. A few biscuits on route to keep the crew happy and sustained. Able to use Genoa for a few hours once through the TSS. 8 seal sightings in total and 1 fin along with lots of birds. Sunny weather in Dunkirk on arrival. Curry and rice for dinner with some sour dough bread and a well deserved beer. (Rice cooked in pressure cooker 10 mins once started to boil), followed by drinks on board Toucan. The plan was to spend the next day in Dunkirk then off to Belgium. Used 2/3 of tank of diesel since we left.

After spending a rough night rafted to Latitude and Freya we were up early for a 7am start. Left Stangate on time to hit the high tide at Garrison Point at 7.40 am. Sails up, sailing with Genoa and Main. A bit of swell around the wind farms. Good sightings of the monsel forts on the horizon. Had some tea/coffee. Quite high waves but were manageable until we turned at North Foreland then the waves were really causing us to roll. Wind became very flukey so had to take the sails down. That made the waves affect us more. Had prepared cheese and procetto sandwhiches and mushroom soup. Poor crew member Mandi, first sail on the ocean, and the sea state made her sick as a dog. She couldn't help with anything and lunch was off the schedule. First time I had to clip on to go up and pull the main sail down fully and tie of the main halyard. Coming into Ramsgate had to get all the fenders out, difficult while the boat was rolling around so much. Managed to get in the Marina, a bit windy. MCC crew there to catch our ropes. Once we had got in sea sickness completely dissipated and we had our lunch. Spent some time in the amusements, then to Wetherspoons for dinner and then back to Toucan to bed.

Some sailing down to Stangate. Rafted up with Latitude, African Breeze, Freya and Drumgold. Dinner on board. Spatchcock chicken and chorizo with wedges and side salad. An amazing lightning storm over the isle of Sheppey mad some great entertainment but also a rocky night. Some wine and then a visit to Freya for a good old natter. Then to bed for an early start aiming to be at Grain for 7.40am to hit high water.

We decided to have an overnight stay at Stangate. Weather was good heading down with some light sailing. When we got into Stangate we realised our Anchor wouldn’t work. Can’t believe we hadn’t tested it. Rapid decision had to be made - we decided to go to Queenborough and stay overnight there. By the time we got there we couldn’t get an answer from the all weather pontoon so had to pick up a buoy. Weather was good.

Started of as a leaisurely morning. Tea and Toast for breakfast. Then a fast exit from Stangate Creek when we realised we had been dragging our anchor and had travelled from one side of the creek to the other and nearly touched land. Luckily we were at high tide. When we got the anchor up it had an old woven bag and something heavy attached. 15mph wind so decided to just go on Genoa, although had to reef that in as wind was causing it to really flap when tacking. Got 4 knots against tide. Sailed all the way back to the fort then pulled the Genoa in and motored down Gillingham reach. Got in the lock and managed all well. Got blown onto the finger birth with a small Kiss for Toucan. Boat jobs in Marina changed gas tank., Swept out cockpit and put down the re oiled teak grate flooring.