Here comes the sun

We left Eyemouth in a grey mist with rain falling and not even good wind to make up for it. It looked like another grey day ahead. But as we headed south the mist cleared, the sun peeked through and eventually the west wind picked up and provided a great day of sailing. It was great to be sailing close to shore and we passed Holy Island (Lindisfarne), Bamburgh Castle and the Farne Isles before the wind really stepped up a gear. The skipper nearly smiled, nearly, as we raced past Alnmouth, Amble and Ashington at 7 knots in sunshine to reach our destination of Blyth. It is 5th July 2021.


The Farne Isles under a moody sky


Its interesting to be sailing close to the shore - about half a mile off on this stretch going past Bamburgh Castle


Despite the glimmer of sun Pete is still wrapped in multiple layers and even Mark had his full kit on during the morning rain


Here comes the sun... :-)


Blyth Beach hike rewarded by great fish and chips


A one-mile walk along the splendidly sandy Blyth Beach led us to its famous fish and chip shop. We sat eating a huge piece of cod with an impossibly excessive portion of chips on the sea front watching walkers, runners, bikers and skateboarders pass by. There were even a handful of hardy souls swimming in the sea. 

Blyth is a huge industrial harbour but in one corner is the Royal Northumberland Yacht Club and marina. The club ‘house’ is a restored light ship moored in the marina and we enjoyed a pint or three with a couple of club members and another visiting crew in the atmospheric bar.

Tomorrow we hope to make Whitby but have agreed that in the interests of a balanced diet we should probably not have fish and chips two nights running. So scampi and chips maybe?

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