After so many days of waiting and silence, at last we set off again! We are hailed by the brightest sun, that makes the sea look like a mirror.
Our destination for the day is Ramsgate, not a long distance overall. It seems too easy…
Just after coasting the city of Margate we are waited by an unwanted surprise: The wind suddenly turns from 10 to 20 knot speed, changing direction, and the stream draw us in open sea, toward Norway.
What I call the “English Heel” is a place feared even by the most experienced sailors. We are approaching a cape and pheraps it wants to remind us who is in charge here!
We see in the distance two-metres waves building a wall of water, we find shallows coming out of nowhere, seals sunbathing, whirlwinds and strong streams. Not a pleasant sailing indeed!
Though as blue as the Mediterranean, the North Sea is far more scary, so we decide to turn back, heading to Margate for the night.
Margate has been one of the favorite seasides of Londoners for over 250 years.
From the sixties on, the reduction of domestic tourism brought to Margate many people that felt outcast in London: Nowadays this town is a place both of troubles and rebirth, and home of so many artists.
The next morning our journey restarts.
We are just 7,6 miles away from Ramsgate and with a fantastic sailing we reach our destination in less than two hours.
Here we are greeted by the Royal Temple Yacht Club, founded in 1857, and by the kindness of its Commodore, Mr Mike Brand.
Ramsgate is both nordic light and mediterranean warmth: Hooked to the white cliffs, it resembles an extended Potala. The city is full of strange faces, bizarre people and seamen: A richness that will soon come back.
The North Sea is now out of our way, thank God.
We are about to leave both the UK and Kent, “The Garden of England”.
Next week, on Dynamo Day, we’ll get to France, unless the weather says “no” once again, of course…
Our photographer and friend Massimo Di Nonno has published on his website many beautiful and bizarre picture of us: Check out the gallery.
Very nice boom tent!
I wish I was there to cross the Channel. Of course, I wish I was there for the whole trip!
Yes Michael, would be such a pleasure for us.
The tent is fantastic!
A hug
The pictures by the photographer Massimo Di Nonno are really fantastic!
I hope you cross the Channel as soon as possible! Good luck, Jack!
Giacomo, Jacamo, thinking of you today as the sun shines and the little ships brave the channel. Hope you made it with lots of excitement and new things to see and think about. Bon voyage. You’ll make it, as wiser men – I can feel it in my waters…..see you in Istanbul.
As blue as the Mediterranean… we wish you a safe crossing to France. The British East Coast is an interesting place to visit by ship, especially going into the rivers! Blackwater! The name tells its own tale. We stay by your side and follow your trip. Maybe we´ll see near Frankfurt.
With Chulugi we start from Crete to Corfu in a few days.
Greetings from S/Y Chulugi,
Marcel & Joanna
Thank you M & J, here some problems but ok. Enjoy the Med.
From the North Sea g