Day 1 Ramsgate to Harwich - 1st May 2017

An early wake up call at 06:00 by the seagulls tapping on the window at  home. Were we really going to leave this morning? The sea looked okay off Broadstairs yet it was a little dull and a fair breeze. Forecast was good to go, 15 knots South gusting 24 would be fine. Perhaps a little drizzle in the afternoon.

Lunar Sea was ready, we just needed a good breakfast in the Belgium Bar before leaving.

Saying goodbye to family and friends was to make us ask, was this the right thing to do?

Of course it was, and with my daughter Jo, daughter in law Jo and of course Julia we left the safety of Ramsgate until September next year. Going through the Pier Heads at 10:00.

Julia and I were both overwhelmed by all the people that turned up to see us off on such a damp windy, cold morning  and I must not forget Frank and Steph waving something from there window as we passed Broadstairs.

We were off on the joint adventure of our lives.

We had passed North Foreland, it became apparent that the forecast was on the shy side - it was blowing a good 20-25 knots from SSE, overcast and chilly. Time to put on extra layers and see if things would ease in line with expected. After 20 miles we were within the London Array Wind Farm, the wind had increased to 25-30 with gusts of 35 knots but being SSE and off the Starboard quarter we were fine. The seas although large were okay.

 Unfortunately, once out of the wind farm there was a course change and the seas and wind were now on our beam. It was starting to become unpleasant, a vast reduction of sail was needed even for Lunar Sea. She was coping admirably, although we were all bracing ourselves for next roller or the next gust of 35 knots. The 5 miles up the Black Deep were to be hard work.

 With the next course change towards Harwich the sun came out and the sky's cleared so quickly it was as if something had switched off the rain and blown away the clouds. The girls were still wrapped up well though.

I had planned to stay at Harwich Halfpenny Town Quay.  We tied up there for our lunch at 18:00! but I wasn't happy to stay the night, so after something to eat and drink we let go and made our way to the tranquillity of Woolvestone Marina some 5 miles up the Orwell.

One of the better decisions of the day!

We reckoned we deserved our first day celebration Champagne (courtesy of the Jo's).

Now I think we were all ready for our beds.