The updated weather forecast coupled with our delayed crossing necessitated a rethink. With the wind veering to the NNE in the evening, we didnāt relish the prospect of just bashing back in 25 knots on the nose. The better option was to take the 3 hour shorter crossing to the Needles, get in earlier and pick up a mooring buoy off Yarmouth for the night. An early start will catch the tide and should provide a good beam reach all the way back to the Chichester entrance, a sweet taste to end with, and contrast all the laborious hours under engine.
Carlās belated view from the galley:
Time is a great healer. Hold that thought.
Without a shadow of doubt and fear of contradiction I can confirm the first sixty hours of this passage rank as some of the worst of my short-lived life. As many of you will be more than aware, seasickness is a shocker and can bend even the strongest to their knee, both literally and metaphorically. Not that I class myself in that hearty bunch. Any longer.
So, having taken to my berth for the duration I do feel it necessary to bare my soul and confess my shortcomings: I have been woeful at best and useless at worst. I have justifiably been accused of going AWOL and of the wilful dereliction of my dietary duties. Billed as being the galley equivalent of the Galloping Gourmet, I have underwhelmed at an unprecedented level and my sole contribution to onboard fayre amounts to passing-round the ginger nuts, and unwrapping the odd Wertherās Original. Very poor.
Speaking of odd, my two erstwhile companions, First Officer Hoare and Captain Moans, are made of far sterner stuff but not without a surprisingly compassionate side. The former lacing my water with a foul-tasting diaralyte to keep me hydrated. The hardy latter covering me up with his grimy wool sweater as I lay both shivering and retching in equal measure. Touching,Ā and not of the inappropriate manner. I wonāt hear a good word said about either of them. Probablyā¦
Thankfully, the arrival of last nightās helicopter heralded my long-awaited return to some sort of form. I had already been awakened by Nickās somewhat worrisome calls with the French coastguard and what subsequently transpired was, to a dedicated (and recently reconfirmed) land-lubber, nothing short of exciting, to the point of me being an overly intense participant in a sodden episode of āPolice Camera Actionā. Thankfully, those in charge kept their heads whilst others were losing theirs ā chapeau! Seeing/hearing Channel 16 being so effectively used in the intended manner and eventually, via our role as communications go-between, making contact with the stricken āBrionyā was both enlightening and rewarding. And with a happy ending – Over…
Now, back to time. The question I ponder is, will there ever be enough time in this infinite universe to make me consider embarking on such an escapade ever again with olā Nick Bligh? Iāve been fortunate enough to have enjoyed some tremendous passages with him and his nautical pals in the past, but those sixty hours were truly something else and, whilst Iām never one to say neverā¦er, NEVER!
I find the story of Carl’s mal de mer quite concerning. I had a similar experience when my son -in-law fell so seasick in a passage off the West coast of France that not only was I left single-handed but I became seriously concerned for his longer term well being. Fortunately we reached port some 2 hours later but had we been mid-Biscay I wonder whether he would have survived the remainder of the passage.
Death from seasickness may be rare or even unknown but as Carl explains it is utterly debilitating and not to be taken lightly.
We actually took good care of him John. We made sure he was warm and comfortable and kept him hydrated. He did say it was ‘the worst experience of his life’ though. Let’s see if he ever ‘signs on’ again.
Welcome back! I imagine that you are all pleased to be berthed again at Northney.
I can entirely empathise with Carl and can probably predict that the placement of one of Captain Bligh’s old woolly vestments may have been the catalyst for a further bout of retching?
I also note that of course Bum-in-Butter Bligh has secured a plum berth at the marina!
Yup, E1, just at the bottom of the main ramp !!!