Day 20 - Whitby to Hartlepool to Blyth to Amble

Day 17 Whitby - Hartlepool

We left at 09:35 and needed to get the last but one swing bridge out of Whitby to make full use of the North going tide along the coast for our 25 mile trip up to Hartlepool.
Having arrived off the entrance at about 15:00 we had to wait for the tide to increase in order to enter the channel into the lock which is dredged to Chart Datum. I draw 2m, the Low Water at 14:38 was 1.6m (predicted) so we had to wait until at least 16:00 for enough water. We were told that we should be able to get in at 17:00 but working it out there should have been enough at 16:00. We followed Mr. McCawber from Ramsgate in who drew 1.5m. They stopped in the mud just off the lock entrance just as we stopped in the mud between the pier heads. Very frustrating as we were told 'it should be okay'. Nevertheless, after a short wait for the water to make we managed to go astern out of the channel and wait until 17:00. Even then the prediction was at least 0.2m too high and we only had 0.2m under our keel.
My 'Bunny' was not talking to me with a combination of worry, tiredness and embarrassment until after we got in and tied up. I had to avert another mutiny!!
Hartlepool marina was quite nice, however, the lady at the marina thought I was part of a party that had come in the lock after me and the berthing fees were half price. The facilities seemed a little sparse although the food in "Portals Place" by the lock probably saved the second mutiny.

The 'Hartlepool Monkey' - I'm sure Julia will tell the tale.

Day 18 Hartlepool to Blyth.

We needed to make use of the weather conditions - what  has happened to Summer? The short hop of 31 miles up to Blyth was uneventful. With very little wind, we did at least leave in the sunshine. That was short lived it soon became overcast with the occasional slight drizzle. About an hour out of Blyth there was what looked like the pictures of tornado clouds you often see in America, but don't remember ever seeing anything like it here before and the photo does not do it justice.

I took in the Genoa and within minutes we were bombarded with 25 knot winds and torrential rain. It died after about 15 minutes but was very bizarre. The run into Blyth was fine and we had a 'Berthing Officer' to meet us at the pontoons.
The Royal Northumberland Yacht Club was very interesting, their club house is in an old (1879) wooden lightship which saw service at Seven Stones and Calshot Spit to name but a few. It was bought by the club in 1952.


Day 19 Blyth to Amble.

Again we needed to make use of the weather and press on for the 17 miles to Amble. We were going to have to stay for a few days because of the forecasts and Amble seemed the better place for that - Blyth being so industrial. Besides we were to meet up with friends so it made a lot of sense.
The trip under engine and a main, again because the forecasted wind was telling lies and was actually on the nose, was fairly uneventful. The 'Pigs and Sows' rocks to the East of Blyth, the 'Pan Bush' shallows (to the NE of Amble entrance) and the rocks around Coquet Island were all a hazard. As were the numerous fishing pots all along the coast.
Coquet Island off Amble

I had timed our arrival at Amble for 20:00 at just after half the rising tide as there is a sill of 0.8m above Chart Datum on the entrance to the Marina itself - we took very slowly!!
There is a reception pontoon for arrivals after hours (we arrived at 20:30) which you can pick up information, mooring instructions and a gate card. I had phoned on ahead so already had a berth booked.
The short run up the river was delightful with plenty of waving from the piers and their facilities have been marvellous with their own chandlery of basic stocked items including Calor Gas - most important for the cakes!

Tonight, being Saturday, it is Happy Hour at the Coquet Yacht Club so it would be rude not to attend and enjoy some more Northern Hospitality.



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