When the wind blows. Use more ropes.

More on our mooring line experiments. 

We were getting pounded onto the finger berth by the strong prevailing winds here in Brest. Biscay is just out there so no surprise I suppose. 

Our yacht was blown so far over that our toe rail took a scraping. Some other yachts fared far worse. One sustained quite bad hull and toe rail damage and another had a porthole smashed on a pontoon cleat. Flattened and burst fenders a plenty. 

To combat this, we rigged 2 extra lines. One from the bow to the cleat on the finger berth nearest our stern. The other from our biggest stern winch to the main pontoon ahead of us. 

The 2 extra lines have to be tight. Especially the one on the winch as that holds the boat off the finger berth. The other line stops the boat going too far forward. The only other tweak was that the starboard stern line was shortened, so that the winched line didn't pull us too far out and encroach onto our neighbours space. 

This has been a fantastic success. Even when the wind is blowing its worse, the starboard fenders just kiss the finger berth. 

Xmas/New Year 2013

On a rare sunny day, this time of year, I was able to apply the vinyl name lettering we had bought from Ebay (valdasvinyls) with excellent results. The hardest part was finding the same font as the name on the stern. It turned out to be 'DALEK' font. Yes! From Dr. Who. I like that it looks Grecian and the letter E is like an arrow which fits in well with 'Artemis' being the Greek Demi God of hunting.

We were invited onboard 'Erminig' by Brigitte and Eric for Xmas dinner. We had a great time. The Ostritch steaks were beautiful. 

We took 'round Xmas crackers that we found in the Irish shop whilst buying some decent tea bags. 

Alison and I

Eric and Brigitte

Jack

They in turn visited us on 'Artemis' on New Years Eve. I made a turkey curry that gave Eric a right sweat on. Well, he said he liked hot and spicy!

We saw the New Year in with blasts of horn and some use of the tannoy. 

We have also socialised with Laurent, Cecile and their lovely daughters Charlene and Toscan. They live on a stylish looking catarmaran nearby. 

The girls seem to like Alison. She knows how to play. 

We seem to have been ever so popular. 'Enjoy it, it won't last' I told Alison. We ate the 'Gallette du Rois' ( cake of the King ) twice in one day. I got the porcelain favour and crown the first time and Alison the second. Set up?

We also enjoyed watching the Xmas nativity animation, the boys on 'Tarquilla'

had produced as part of their onboard school work. 

Another small job was to stitch buckles onto the webbing straps that hold the holding tank in place. As when it was fitted we couldn't source any and the webbing was tied in a knot. 

A job for Alison I thought. She never stopped moaning and I had to hold a torch the whole time 'cos there wasn't enough light. Pah!

Looks much better and more secure now. 

Winter Update Dec 2013

We took a walk to the other marina. Moulin Blanc. It's right next to Oceanopolis, France's visitor centre for ocean preservation. Out of season there wasn't many people about, it all looked a bit bleak. We are glad that we chose the Chateau Marina. 

Our neighbours, Tarquilla put up Xmas lights. Alison was suffering from LED light envy, so we bought some of our own and arranged them over the boom. Then our other neighbours Erminig got a rope light. Another yacht on the other side of the marina has lit up also. Catching isn't it?

Xmas tree on chart table and assorted tinsel. 

We went to the local Xmas market. Handcrafted trinkets that don't really have a use on a boat, so we didn't buy anything. 

That's me on the bench. Check out the shopping trolley - essential yacht hardware. 

Some poser rolled up in this! To buy a baguette on a Sunday morning. 

What about this Pam. Name up in lights!

Mind you. You do get some funny signs around here. 

Fitting new clutch to autopilot. More parts needed. 

With the sun low in the sky we have moved our boat to the other side of the visitors section to get some sunshine. 

I put a colour on Alison's hair. Do you want to see the before and after photo's. 

Of course you do. 

Before. 

After. 

Success. 

The local hairdresser in Brest costs a fortune. A cut in town wasn't bad. It seems to me that if your buying a service or an item you have to figure in the 2 hour lunch break they have. Cos your paying for it! 

Having eaten out for lunch on four occasions our experience has been - excellent service, nice surroundings and vibe, pretty poor food and sky high prices. 

Plenty of locals seem to be happy as they keep going in!

The best lunch was at a supermarket canteen, I wanted what was on the picture in the window. Couldn't see it inside and no one spoke English. iphone translate apps not much cop without an Internet connection. 

Chose something else and it was very nice. We could have done better if we had known how the system worked. We got a token with our meals. Turned out to be for a coffee machine. Plenty of others were on the wine, but I don't know where they got it from. 

Today we prepared for the next bout of high winds. Last night the dingy kept trying to take off. Have doubly secured it and put an extra rope on the port side of Artemis from the stern to the pontoon. The idea - to stop us from being blown tightly against the finger pontoon on our starboard side. We'll see if it works. 

Sail repairs

We decided to inspect the spare mainsail to see what condition it was in. 

It is in pretty good condition with just one small rip and a couple of slides to replace as far as we could see.

A visit to the local sail maker and a couple of days and 100 euros later we have it back. The mainsail on the mast needs a lot more work but seems to be of thicker, higher strength construction. If it can be repaired we will enquire when we get to a cheaper location. 

Now that's a pretty one!

This asymmetric spinnaker is in good nick. Might have a go at hoisting it some time. 

Shopping for parts such as webbing, clips, squeegee rubber, aluminium strip, etc. Has been pretty fruitless. The local DIY shops seem to have everything except what your looking for. Or the price is prohibitively expensive. The same for Chandleries. 

With the ok from the marina to use their address we have ordered stuff off Ebay. From French sellers where possible such as the webbing to strap items down. Other things are coming from the UK. Most notably a new clutch for the autopilot. An item that I couldn't seem to buy in Blighty without sending the whole thing away. 

Physically we still have pain in our upper backs/neck area from our steering marathon. Mine feels like sunburn now. 

Thanks to everyone for Birthday Wishes. My cake was a creme brûlée and I reminded myself of my dad by writing the English translation of the French under the words on my Birthday card. 

The French like a scarf this time of year. When in Rome and all that. 

Our other neighbours Erik and Brigitte and Jack the dog ( S/V Erminig) took us grocery shopping with them in their car. Thank you. 

We also visited a shop called Decathlon where I spent my Birthday money (thanks Mam and family) on some good quality/price clothing. They have a very well equipped Beneteau Evasion 37 ketch and have similar goals to ourselves. We have a lot in common. 

S/V Erminig

As our gas supply is getting low we have bought a 2 ring electric hob and a toaster ( big enough to get a sliced portion of baguette in ). I don't want to change to French gas and then change again when we hit Spain. 

The electricity is included in the berthing fees at the Marina du Chateau and the rates are very reasonable in the winter months incl. wifi, water, shower facilities and cheap launderette. 

You can't go wrong!

Biscay 1 - Miles & Alison 0 ( Aftermath )

After our adventure we were both very dehydrated. Inspection of 'Artemis' found a ripped mainsail ( in several places ), loose anchor mounting, water in bilges, cabin a mess with displaced items, dingy insecure. The list goes on. I need to fix the compass illumination, so we can see the bloody thing in the dark. The electronic compass was used as a back up but not as convenient. 

   A clam cleat for the mainsail tracker needs fixing or replacing. The companionway hatch needs to be watertight. The speedo/ log not working. Wind vane at top of mast needs renewing as giving intermittent or false readings.

   My ex- Boss Jim said that I would be bored out of my head. Don't think so !!!

The day after our return, Alison scrubbed and waxed the hull and top sides, hid the tattered mainsail under the cover and tightened every screw she could find.

   I cleaned the bilges and serviced the bilge pump. Repaired the float switch. Cleaned the heads.

We borrowed an electric heater from 'Tarquilla' to help dry out the boat.

Alison had a good day telling of our adventure. It was great to see her so animated an happy.

      We checked the weather that we had experienced, we couldn't understand it. 

The Met office, that we didn't check beforehand because they don't give much detail, said force 5-7.

Our neighbour Lauren, said that he was worried about us, in a force 6. He said that we may have underestimated the sea state. Our other neighbours Erik and Brigitte said never to go straight across Biscay but to head out West before going South.

     Lauren has been a professional Skipper for 20 yrs and Erik has sailed since childhood. They are waiting for better sea conditions before venturing south.

We haven't been put off by our failed Biscay attempt. Mark of 'Tarquilla' said ' If you make it back and your boat is in one piece and all of your crew are accounted for, you have had a successful voyage'.

In hindsight we would have been better off continuing or bobbing about until we felt better. Sea sickness, in our experience, must be the most dissabiliting thing that can happen to a sailor.

However, we need to be better prepared next time.

Part 3

We thought about calling the coastguard but didn't. With a sailing boat you still have propulsion using sails so it would not be considered an emergency.

 Up with the mainsail. We were feeling a lot better by then.  When we got far enough into the bay to get some shelter I checked the fuel gauge - empty.

In theory we had enough diesel at the start of our trip to motor all the way from Brest to La Coruna if needs be. Those estimates need a rethink! 

I had a 10 litre can of diesel in the locker. Left by the previous owner - good idea Tim - so put it in the tank and the engine started. Thank God. 

Alison's hands were still freezing. I came across some woollen fishermans socks on top of my clothes locker. Presenting them to Alison, she was over the moon. Lovely and warm doubled over, as long as they don't  get wet, and they didn't now that we were heading inland.

 The wind was against us so motored for an hour on the high tide. Then the tide changed, our 6 knts went down to 3. According to my ( more realistic now ) calculations we wouldn't have enough fuel to reach the marina. 

Tacking against the tide was slow, slow, but progress was being made and we got in some good sail practice.

The hours ticked by.

 With 12 nm to go, back on with the engine. We hoisted the cone day shape, to signify motorsailing, as it was safe to go on deck and the French are apparently a stickler for the rules. You wouldn't think so observing their attitude to everything else mind you.

 It's a very long way to the Marina du Chateau from the open sea.
Approaching the marina entrance ( on fumes probably ) an outgoing sailor was criss crossing in front of the entrance while putting his mainsail up single handed. Sacre Bluer!

If I could have sounded our horn without having to faf on with the VHF handset I would of given him the five loud beeps signal. This sends the message - What are your intentions! - or to my mind - What the F are you doing!

Filled with diesel, moored, collapsed !!!

Part 2

Our plan B was to go back to Brest as there was nowhere closer and many of the western French ports are notoriously difficult to enter due to the sea and currents. 

We decided to return to Brest. About 100 nautical miles. Against the wind and current we had to motor, but we were in no state to be putting sails up and down anyway. Progress was slow and it was hard work steering into the breaking waves. That night we 'hove to' again. Exhausted. The auto pilot had stripped the threads of the screw holes holding it onto the steering pedestal, so no chance of fixing that when your being pounded by waves.
We managed to get some rest. Alison was comatosed in the aft cabin, I lowered the saloon table by 6 inches to stop me being thrown off the sofa when that kind of wave hit, about every 15 seconds.
The next morning, looking at the chart plotter, we had lost nearly all the ground we had covered the day before. 

Looking at maps, currents, the chart plotter was beyond us. We both felt that ill.

I dispared.

 After a nights rest Alison was up and about and climbed behind the wheel 

'don't worry pet, I'll get you home' - I love that woman.

We took turns on the helm. With the cold and the waves regularly crashing over the bow soaking us, we could only manage half an hour stints. 

Alison's hands were bitterly cold and her deck hand cut finger gloves were no comfort once they got wet. I was a little better prepared, with Gill neoprene winter warm gloves. They act like a wet suit but with little activity helming, you can't generate any body heat, but they take the edge off.

When the waves crashed over the bow, we regularly got a face full of cold salty water that continued to stream from the boom and untidily dropped mainsail, that we couldn't tie up because it was too dangerous to go on deck. Even with our offshore sailing suits, the water found its way down our necks.

We put more clothes under our waterproofs and remembered a tip from David Williams, our RYA classroom instructor, whom recommended a beer towel around the neck. We didn't have any beer towels. Tea towels we did have and that made a difference.

We saw plenty of Dolphins that cheered us up along the way. Most remarkably in the night where they glowed in the dark. Something to do with phosphorescent I think. I'll have to google it. 
The sea got bigger and rougher. We remembered what a fellow Hunter owner at Falmouth had told us about riding at an angle down breaking waves instead of whalloping over them and that helped considerably. To spur us on I put on some of our favorite music, loudly through the cockpit speakers. Mostly Yngwie Malmsteen - hot and heavy - this made the time pass quicker and keep our minds off our aching backs from steering.
We still got water over the top though and as it came over the companion way hatch, it streamed into the cabin. I think there is some sort of seal missing there.
Checking the distance we had covered and how far there was to go I realised that we weren't going fast enough. So on with the revs. 

The cabin filled with black smoke so we slowed down again. Alison took the helm as I went down to have a look. Maybe an exhaust clamp needed tightening. I could find nothing wrong. Speeding up again all was fine. Maybe we got a wave up the exhaust pipe ?

Nearing the French coast that evening we were hailed by a French Coast Guard cutter asking our destination etc. They wished us well with permission to continue.

Come nightfall we switched on the running lights. The bow navigation light had stopped working. I could see no red and green reflected on the anchor. Probably taken by the sea. On with the Tri colour at the top of the mast. Your only supposed to use this if your under sail but needs must.

Approaching land the engine revs started lowering then raising again. After an hour of this the engine packed in.