Our intention for the summer of 2021 was to sail our Westerly Fulmar, Ophelie, from our Marconi Sailing Club mooring on the River Blackwater in Essex, up the east coast travelling anti-clockwise towards Scotland. There is not the space to give a full account of our journey, so this is just a small part of the adventure.
Finally ready, my wife Jane and I, accompanied by our friend Peter set off for our shakedown sail, restoring our sea legs, in home waters via West Mersea, Brightlingsea and on to the River Orwell with the hope the weather would change its mind. Slogging up the Wallet while it blew a vigorous north easterly, the wind over tide produced rather uncomfortable conditions. This was not a very favourable prospect for the next 300-plus miles.
Looking at the weather charts for the following week, I suspected the wind was going to stay in that direction for some time, so a change of plan was rapidly drawn up; we would go clockwise and along the south coast. I understand there is a ‘law’ regarding this phenomenon, so we sailed, in southwest/northwest breezes, as far as Plymouth where Peter sadly left us. From here, Jane and I pushed on up the Irish sea and on to our goal of Troon in bonny Scotland, and this is where this bit of the story will begin.
This year was blighted with Covid, but as some compensation, the weather as
