Down but not out

The dull grey metallic sea is lumpy, with occasional sets of rollers that create a spray right over the boat. It slows our already slow progress and makes the day uncomfortable. The modest and variable south-easterly wind is not quite on the nose but is insufficient to give us much speed. We sailed out of Arbroath harbour, dodging numerous fisherman’s pot-buoys, and were soon encircled by mist. We estimated that the visibility was about a mile in any direction. We were able to confirm this estimate, a mere ten hours later, when St Abbs Head came into view a mile off the starboard side as we approached our destination port of Eyemouth. Ten hours of grey lumpy grinding progress with occasional drizzle to add to the pleasures of sailing, of continuing our journey, on a day when more sensible sailors would stay in bed. This day was probably the low point of the trip so far. We realise how fortunate we have been up to this point with weather and wind. We could easily abandon the boat for a week, to wait for a decent northerly wind, and use a hire car to get to my home in Cumbria which is only two hours away. However, we decide that staying with the boat and struggling on to try and get round the UK in one go... so back to Blackwater Sailing club, near Maldon, is what we want to do. It is 3rd July 2021.


Land ahoy! Our first glimpse of something other than lumpy water and mist, St Abb's Head emerging after only ten hours at sea.

Fortunately, a thunderstorm weather warning in the forecast gave us an excuse not to repeat the grey lumpy process tomorrow. The idea of lightning when at sea in a sailing boat, with a large metal mast poking several metres into the sky, rightly makes most sailors nervous. The forecast also predicted fog and then later rain so there was not much incentive to get straight back out there. 


Eyemouth has great potential and seems to be in progress.


The way in to the harbour of Eyemouth.

So, we stayed in bed and spend the day wandering the streets of Eyemouth. The morning was sunny and warm but sure enough a fog rolled in after lunch. There is much building and landscape development going on in Eyemouth and when it is finished, and if the existing streets are given a bit of a spruce up, then it might become an attractive little town with a busy harbour at its heart.

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