1st to 2nd July : 34 Shelson Avenue to Gosport
Well, we should have been out of no. 34 Shelson Avenue by today (1st) but we still had SO many jobs to do! We realised this a few days ago and Rob requested (and received) an extension to the 3rd July. We hoped that this would be long enough! Rob continued to clear the garage and the back garden, whilst I started to bring all of the boxes down to the hallway, cleaning the rooms as I went. We are all getting tired and irritable, what with going to bed late and tired and then to wake up tired and having to start all over again! We both agreed that this had better be worth it hahaha! The gas/boiler man came over and gave us the all clear. The cleaner popped in and we said that we would be out by tomorrow (gulp!). The neighbours popped round for hugs and, we have no idea how, but we somehow managed to fit all of the boxes and bags into the trailer and the Lanny (our Freelander). Poor Jack was squashed in the back! Finally, we took our last look at No. 34….
We all arrived at the yard at about 10pm. We opened the wine and fell into bed!
3rd to 8th July : Our Yard (Gosport)
We STILL continued to wake up ‘tired’ but we still have so much to do! Rob & I unloaded Lanny, putting all of the boxes under canvas. Rob then returned to 34 Shelson (loaded up with the Hoopla’s huge metal boat cradle/stand), to leave this and the trailer in our garage, load up the last of the boxes, cut up our memory foam mattress to suit Hoopla and to finish tidying the garage. Phew! Meanwhile, Jack & I made a start on transferring the boxes from under the canvas to Hoopla, and finding homes for them all. Phew again! Rob returned to the yard at around 4.30pm, with the last of the boxes and our mattress! How he fitted these all in, we will never know! But the mattress fits! YAY! We thought that it might be too deep for Hoopla, so we were very pleased! Next morning, both Rob & I agreed that the mattress was a dream! We also said that this will probably be the best and most impactful idea that we have had so far for Hoopla. Jack and I continued cleaning and bringing (more!) boxes aboard, packing around Rob, who was working on the Hoopla maintenance. Jack is very much looking forward to meeting up with Henry, but both Rob & I are just SO tired haha! We both hope that we haven’t packed too much! People say that we have, but I guess time will tell. I managed to find a home for it all though. The 8th wonder of the world! But every day brings us a day nearer and nearer and it is slowly starting to come together! Another meal at Whetherspoon and Hoopla is now known as “home”.
On the 5th July, we popped over to Mum and Dad’s on Hayling Island to collect yet MORE boxes! We stayed for a much needed coffee but we then headed back to the yard, with lots of hugs on the doorstep. Jack and I swapped the boxes from under the canvas to Hoopla, and then unloaded the Lanny, putting the boxes under the canvas… Our tenants have moved into No. 34 and we hope that they will be very happy in their new home!
Jack & I spent the morning of the 6th unloading (again!) and packing Hoopla. Rob continued (again!) on Hoopla’s maintenance, doing three jobs at once! It is a lovely, hot and sunny day. Matt & Lizz arrived at about 3pm and we introduced them to Hoopla. We had a lovely afternoon but we were all a little disappointed with the evening meal at the restaurant in Clarence Yard! It was expensive, we had poor service and there was NO BEER! On a Saturday night! But the company was excellent. Back on board for a coffee and for an enjoyable evening.
The next day was spent in traffic (which we won’t miss), picking up our outboard bracket and then to Gosport to buy Jack some new trainers. Matt and Lizz left us at about 3pm, with lots of hugs and promises of messages, photos and phone calls! It was sad to see them go but we loved having them for the weekend. The 8th July was the last day that Rob was insured to drive the Lanny, so we made the most of it! We did an Aldi shop, Arthur’s and U-Boat! Mum and Dad popped up to see us and stayed for a couple of hours, which was lovely! Lots more hugs, kisses and promises made when they left. Jack and I then continued unpacking and sorting Hoopla. That evening, we ate our last meal at the Star!
9th July : ** D-DAY ** Our Yard (Gosport) to Yarmouth
Finally, the day has arrived! Today is the Day! We still have quite a few jobs to do first, though, and so we aimed to leave between 3pm and 4pm. Word had got out in the yard and friends kept walking up, surprised with the number of tasks we still had, and went away, shaking their heads! I carried on finding homes for our homeless items and making our home ship shape. Rob fitted the new carpets in Hoopla – and what a difference they make! Unsurprisingly, 3pm came and went, as did 4pm. Finally, at 5pm, we slipped our ropes!! Just in time too, as Portsmouth QHM closed the harbour behind us for the aircraft carrier coming in – phew! A fellow POG friend escorted us out of Portsmouth – which was amazing. He risked not being allowed to return for an hour or so, because of the closure, but he just made it. A flock of seagulls also came down to say goodbye!
We had planned on heading straight for Studland Bay but, as we were late leaving the yard, we decided on Yarmouth instead. It was a good call as it was around 9pm when we entered the harbour. Here, we finally met up with the crew from Little Albatross! We had a lovely evening and we all decided on a 10am departure tomorrow morning, for Studland Bay.
Our. Adventure. Has. Begun !!
10th July : Yarmouth Harbour to Studland Bay
It was a bit of a rolly night last night, unfortunately, as now seems to be the norm at Yarmouth. This is such a shame as we have fond memories of Yarmouth. We had a nice breakfast aboard and then we left Yarmouth at 10am. Little Albatross had already left the harbour (about 9am). We had a motor start but then the winds picked up and we had a lovely sail all the way! We arrived at Studland Bay at about 1pm and dropped our anchor. Thorsten then very kindly took us all to the beach in his dingy. We all had a wonderful afternoon on the beach, followed by a nice meal on-board. This is such a lovely and peaceful anchorage, one of our favourites. Rob, Jack and I all made Hoopla ship shape for tomorrow’s 12 hour(!) passage to Braye harbour, Alderney.
11th July : Studland Bay to Alderney
We all had such a peaceful night. Both Rob and I prepared Hoopla for her 12 hour journey, while Jack slept on! We crept out of Studland Bay with Little Albatross at 06.30 and made our way to Alderney. We had very calm seas – The English Channel was almost like a lake. It was mainly all motor, unfortunately, but we did manage to do some sailing. The shipping lanes were almost empty(!), which gave us a calm and stress free passage – plus no sickness! Hurrah! Little Albatross steamed ahead of us and must have arrived a good couple of hours ahead. Hoopla finally arrived in Braye Harbour at 5.30pm. We motored around looking for a buoy, as did Little Albatross, but they were all taken. I saw a yacht preparing to leave and so Rob headed towards it. We picked up the buoy just before another yacht! We were so lucky! Little Albatross came along side us and we were all settled in by 7pm. We spend a lovely evening on-board Little Albatross.
12th July : Bray Harbour, Alderney
We had the best night we have ever had in Braye! Neither Britta nor I could quite believe it! It was such a calm night. Wonderful! After breakfast, we all caught the harbour taxi to the shore and we spent the whole day on the beach. Lovely. The boys swam in the (c-c-cold) sea, built sandcastles and we all played a game of boules. At just before 7pm, we left the beach for our fish and chip supper! This is a very popular chippy and Britta had reserved us a table earlier in the day. While we were eating, we all saw a seagull swoop down and take a young boy’s chicken nugget hahaha! Rob and I had pint in the sailing club before heading back to Hoopla. All in all, a lovely day!
13th July : Alderney to Guernsey
Oh what an awful night!! So completely different to last night! Rolly does not even come close! This is the Braye that I remember, hahaha. Rob and I managed to catch a couple of hours sleep before we left at 10am – and it was a motor all the way to Guernsey. We had calm seas all the way, but the Swinge was interesting! It was like a white-knuckle fair ride! But Hoopla was fab! Again, Little Albatross sailed ahead and arrived before us. We arrived at St. Peter’s Port, Guernsey, at around 13.30 and we were shown by the marina staff to the waiting pontoons. Entry to the port is only accessible 3 hours either side of high water as there is a cill, which is used to keep water in the marina. We waved to Little Albatross, who were on another “waiting” pontoon. Just over an hour later, we were finally in and were directed to our mooring. We finally met up with the crew of Little Albatross and the boys asked if Henry could stay aboard Hoopla, which we all agreed. The boys were very happy!
14th July : Sark
We (the crews of Hoopla and Little Albatross) all got up early and caught the 10am ferry to Sark. We were advised that catching a ferry was the best option of travel, as the anchorages for Sark are far from ideal). The ferry crossing took longer than I had expected, but it was only just over an hour. Upon arrival, we had a lift to the top of the hill in a tractor(!) and we all stopped in the first pub for a liquid refreshment! Here, Jack met a Pomeranian Dog, which absolutely made his day! It was a lovely, hot sunny day and so we all hired bikes and cycled to the famous Venus Pool. It was a wonderful cycle ride! Sark is so pretty! We arrived and the boys swam in the pool, while Britta and I stayed up at the top (looking after the bikes 😉 We then cycled back via the shops, for Sark Bear. We all had such an enjoyable day – Sark is such a pretty island! We had a lovely afternoon tea, followed by a pint in the pub once more (where we met the Pomeranian again!) before walking down the hill, back to the ferry, for our return journey. The excellent day was finished off with a great evening aboard Little Albatross – another late night!
15th July: Guernsey
Today was a “boat” day for Rob and I! Rob fitted Jack’s new hatch blind (very nice, and I can’t wait for ours to be fitted) and worked on the solar panels. He also managed to buy a VHF aerial for our AIS (Automated Identification System) and he mounted this to the solar arch. I walked (for ages!) to find the local laundrette (all up hill with a heavy laundry bag!) and arranged to collect our washing later, at 5pm. Back on-board, I sorted out our clothes and the hanging locker. Rob and I walked back to the launderette and it’s wonderful! All clean, dry and folded nicely too! Thorsten took all the boys to the outdoor sea pool, which was loads of fun. Apologies for the lack of photos….
16th July: Guernsey to Jersey
We all had a lovely, lazy morning, slowly getting Hoopla ready for our 5 hour passage to Jersey. Both Rob and I are well aware that this is where we would normally start heading back home. But not this time! We have never managed to reach Jersey during our sailing holidays before, but now we were on our way! How exciting! We left St. Peter’s Port at about 2pm. We had to wait for the tide to change, on the outside ‘waiting’ pontoons first. It was here that there was a “fight” for our space! Rob was at the chandlery, leaving me in charge! Three yachts began motoring around in circles, waiting for us to leave – but we were not due to leave for another hour! It was pandemonium! Rob returned, we slipped our lines and we waved goodbye to Guernsey – and left them to it! We had mainly calm seas and so it was mainly a motor journey. Both Henry and Jack took turns at the wheel (helm), which they both enjoyed. Just off the Jersey coast, the Condor Ferry passed us and we all saw our first pod of dolphins! They were jumping in its bow wave! So-So-So very exciting! When we arrived at Jersey, it was low tide and so the tide doors were shut. This meant that we couldn’t get in, and so we moored alongside others outside the marina for the night.
17th to 20th July: Jersey
Whilst we were waiting for the tide doors to open, the general consensus between the captains was to wait for quite a few yachts to leave the marina first, as it was very full(!), before going inside, to provide spaces. We finally headed inside and Rob saw a space alongside a pontoon! Well done Rob! Two yachts soon rafted alongside us and before long, the marina was very full! We had a lazy morning and then we caught a bus to Watersplash (a well-known surf beach). It was a hot, sunny day and we spent all day here; building castles, turtles and boats! It was myself, Robert, Jack, Britta, Thorsten, Henry, Benny and Charlie.
On the 18th, Little Albatross left for St Malo with Benny, and Henry stayed with us. We planned to meet up in a few days in St. Cast. Both Rob and I wanted to spend a few days exploring Jersey, plus I was keen to go to the zoo (I’ve been watching The Durrells!). We all had a great time at the zoo, with Jack and Henry taking millions of photos on my phone! The bus rides, there and back, showed us just how beautiful the island of Jersey is!
On the 19th, we took a bus to Gorey Castle. We explored the rock pools there and then caught a bus to where Rob visited as a child. While we were there, lots of children arrived on the beach, all wearing “year 6” fleeces. Jack and Henry (wearing his year 6 fleece) soon started chatting with them, so Rob and I shared a portion of chips and watched on in amusement!
For our last day on the 20th, I caught the 8am bus to St Breland for the Jersey Parkrun! I just made it too! I missed my stop and so I had to run to join the back of the runners! It was really warm too and so I earned my worst time for a long time; 39.50 mins! Ouch! We spent our last day at Watersplash again. We picked up Jersey Bear on our way. Now we have the complete set! But not, unfortunately, Herm Bear as we couldn’t visit Herm Island. Henry, Jack, Rob and Charlie all enjoyed themselves bodysurfing! We caught the 6pm bus back after a fantastic last day! Jersey was everything that we thought it would be and more! NEXT STOP: FRANCE!
