Day 9 Stromness to Newcastle - The longest run 250nm
The mood of the tour has changed slightly, we have made the furthest point, rounded Cape Wrath which has a sort of prestige and we are now turning for home. The sea was much calmer, winds were forecast to drop and expected to move from Northerly to Westerly, faced with two long running days, everyone wanted to get on.
Skellig of Sark had stayed the night in Scrabster where they had been helped by a fisherman who let them have the safety of his boat to moor against and organised fuel for them in the morning.
The Orkneys had been a great stop, the people had been welcoming and even BBC Orkney turned out to meet us. The one regret most of us have about this trip is the lack of time we have, it would have been nice to have spent a day here to explore. Next time the Rally will be longer.
The team at Stromness Marina had been fantastic, despite it being Sunday, they had arranged for more fuel for us, our thanks to Orkney Marinas, who gave us free berthing, in support of our fund raising. At 0900 a fuel truck arrived and fuelling started, this was done in a light rain, the first of the trip. The tide was right for us to leave through Scapa Flow, one of Britains most famous stretches of water. Bluewater Raven filled first and set off thereafter. The rest of the fleet left in groups all subject to speed Evolution, My Pleasure and Quickflash, then finally at 1100 the three Stings, Grey Ghost, Seahound and Trinity.
This was going to be the first night when the whole fleet would be in the same port - or so we thought, predictions on this trip have proved to be particularly precarious.
The first 100 miles over the Moray Firth was in light rain and was bumpy although the direction of the sea was, for once, not on the nose.
Three Stings on route
The three Stings decided to put into Petershead for a break and a sandwich. As we turned in, we met Bluewater Raven coming out, and suddenly Evolution and My Pleasure appeared from behind. Ten minutes later Skellig of Sark pulled in, which was great news for Paul Lemmer who had been on Evolution since Skye Bridge and had left all his bags on Skellig, at last he could have clean underwear. But we had lost touch with Quickflash, which was worrying, they had opted not to make use of the cover of land and had become separated from their group. They had been heard on the radio so we felt comfortable they were alright.
1515 hrs we all head out for the 150 miles to Newcastle - the plan was to run down the coast before heading out to cross the Firth of Forth. But to our delight the sea was calmer and we moved to the direct route, the wind had dropped to very light and despite a still big swell, throttles were opened and very good progress was made by all. Especially Seahound who happy at the flatter conditions and went into a race mode. Grey Ghost had to pull up sharply when it found itself next to a whale halfway across.
1930 and Seahound was in port and fuelling with Grey Ghost followed shortly by Trinity, and then My Pleasure, Bluewater Raven and Evolution. And a surprise, waiting on the dock and ready to rejoin his boat, Andrew Bell of Evolution repaired and ready to go from his tough time in Cork. Skellig of Sark signalled there pending arrival, almost all here. Except Quickflash of which there was no sign, we were now a little worried having heard nothing from them since radio transmissions shortly before Petershead.
We decided to try their mobile, but just then Dominic texted a message "In marine in Newcastle worried about where you are" We looked around and could not find them so phoned them, it took a few minutes to discover that they were not in Newcastle but Sunderland. They had gone straight past the Tyne and one of the UK major ports, ignoreing all the route guidence way points - I can see a lot of navigation jokes coming on.
Show me the way to Newcastle please
All boats fuelled and despite there being only one man on duty at the marina who had to do the fuel and open and close the lock gates, all boats where tucked up and fuelled by 2200.
Most were staying the night at the local Premier Inn and we all eat together at about 2230, Patrick from Quickflash walked in to a great cheer.
We plan to get away at 0830 in the morning to have a bit more time in Suffolk, if the weather is kind and there are no other unforeseen circumstances we may all be in the same marina tomorrow, where we hope to be joined by the now repaired Cool Runnings.
Patrick Byrne Premier Inn Newcastle