Day 11 Suffolk to Brighton - home almost

The party on the Lightship restaurant had been curtailed at 1130, when the bar shut, which was probably just as well.

It looked like a simple run with only 110 miles to go, what could go astray?  Cool Running was at last back with the fleet and for the first time we have 9 boats together since Falmouth.  There was a possibility of increasing winds in the day, so the boats started to leave, with the Redbays away first as usual.

The rest of the fleet followed piece meal as they got fuel. But problems, Cool Running which had taken on 500litres of what must be the most expensive marina supplied petrol in the UK, found it was contaminated with a lot of water, so they started to run the water off.  

When finally, Trinity bringing up the rear and having settled mooring fees for the absent minded, was ready to leave at about 1100 hrs, Cool Running had found that the contamination was much worse than expected, all the fuel had to be pumped out and the boat re-filled from another source using cans.  Trinity went on with the hope that Cool Running would catch up.

Trinity caught up with Seahound, Grey Ghost and My Pleasure for lunch at Ramsgate Yacht Club.  Skellig had dropped in too but was moving on shortly after Trinity's arrival.  

The afternoon was glorious and all boats enjoyed a fast sunny afternoon,  Skellig and Quickflash, stopped at the end of Eastbourne pier for an afternoon beer.   I have never seen Beachy Head and the Seven Sisters looking so good, blue flat water and with bright afternoon light they seemed to shine as if the chalk had just been polished.

Cool Running back on the scene

As we approached Brighton a light aircraft driven by a friend of Phil Boarer from Grey Ghost circled taking photos and once we were moored, gave us a one man air display, just like the Red Arrows but with one blue prop driven plane.

Many had family come and meet them in Brighton and Andy Haffenden on Skellig had arranged for us to have a private section of a local bar overlooking the Marina to ourselves and the many family and friends who had joined the group.

As to Cool Runnings, they finished refuelling ay 2130 and drove to Ramsgate, where they all slept on the deck and the pontoon before getting into Brighton in the morning before the fleet was ready to leave.

Tomorrow the final run - that will be a simple job - won't it?