Home is the Sailor home from the Sea...

... sitting at the kitchen table drinking tea while the washing machine munches its way though loads of smelly kit.

The last leg from Milford Haven home was hard work but enjoyable. The run down across the Bristol Channel was lumpy and the autopilot couldn't cope so Peter and I hand steered it most of the 140 miles. We went so fast that we arrived at Lands End two hours early with adverse tide and a black night. With Graham's excellent waypoints and some bravado I took Beeline through the inside passage close to the Shark's Fin and the Armed Knight. (Don't you just love rocks names by the way?)
A dawn we had hot porridge and sheltered from the rain which was heavy and cold. As we were on the start of a good tidal run we decided to carry on round the Lizard to Falmouth, and arrived late morning at the Yacht Haven. The best thing to do that day was sleep, given the rain.

On Thursday we had a glorious spinnaker run across the whole of the bay from Falmouth to Dartmouth bar a few miles without wind. We were very chuffed to pass a Hallberg Rassy 38 at Bolt Head wallowing in the overfalls.
We reached Dartmouth in time for supper and a catch up with friends over a drink.



This picture is taken with Start Point light visible behind Peter and the Exeter City Spinnaker

The last day's run was quite mundane in familiar waters after the excitement of the unknown
passages, but we were pleased to reach the Exe an hour before high water and whisk up river to be greeted by Liz and Kelly with flowers and champagne. And now I need some sleep!

Kate and Harry's boat trip

Harry had been very keen to come sailing again so after the race and his GCSEs were over we travelled up to Oban to fetch Beeline. Like most teenagers he sleeps many hours but is excellent company and loves being on the boat. We stocked up on essentials (Frosted Shreddies for Harry, coffee filters for Kate) and left on Saturday afternoon for a tour of Mull.
This set the pace. Long motor sail to cover the miles, late arrival in new place and sleep. Early morning Kate gets up and explores while Harry sleeps then we leave...Long motor sail etc.
So Harry this was what you missed in Tobermory
on Sunday. But we did see puffins on our venture through the Treshnish Islands, and we saw Fingal's Cave and Staffa and passed the cathedral on Iona before enjoying a hearty ration pack supper on the way to Colonsay.
Here we anchored at sunset and Kate left at dawn while Harry slept all the way to the Mull of Kintyre.
The tide was against us so we sneaked close in to the rocks and found an eddy 80m off the cliffs. This allowed us to watch the seals basking and chasing fishing boats. But it was a long and tiring sail to Stranraer across the Firth of Clyde and we were glad to get to sleep. The next day Kate went to explore while Harry slept. You didn't miss much there Harry, just some rather lewd cakes and unusual biscuits in the bakery.
On to Galloway and we enjoyed a visit from a pod of dolphins off Portpatrick and even flew the spinnaker for a while before the relentless motoring began again to reach the Isle of Man
Peel harbour was extremely rolly and not much sleep was had, so early next day Kate set off again.
Holyhead marina was very welcome and we enjoyed our hot showers and a welcome from Holyhead Sailing Club. Why did they call us hard core sailors and nutters I wonder?
We left in the morning and were thrilled to see lots more puffins. Suddenly we are seeing them everywhere we go. South Stack off Anglesey was busy, so was Ramsay Island and Skomer and Skokholm. This leg was a tough overnight one so Kate dozed in the cockpit in Kelly's old sleeping bag and we managed to reach Milford Haven before the bad weather set in. The boat and equipment has been reliable and Beeline is better shape than when we left Topsham. We have a day or two to regroup before we head south again. The Belgian team from 3PYR are here too and we look forward to chatting with them.

The journey home

So Kelly and Ian took the Volvo and drank far too many coffees and sang all the way to Topsham. Lucy and Andy dropped Steve off at the airport and drove home with the bikes.
Kate Chris and David had a very gentle and pleasant trip down the loch.
For lunch we dropped anchor at Eilean Balnagowan and were amazed when we realised there were fifteen seals on the rocks watching us (yes Kelly I counted them!).

For the evening we tied up at Dunstaffnage Marina and had a pleasant day fixing all the broken bits. Kate went up the mast again and attached the new masthead light, and we borrowed a rivet gun to make good the excellent temporary kicking strap repair Kelly had improvised in the night. Then we celebrated with a meal in the Wide Mouthed Frog and on Sunday took the bus to Glasgow and flew home. Most satisfactory!

Beeline finished and the boys did a fantastic final run of 4 hours 6 min. The sun came out especially for the victory photo. Final finish was at about 10:40 this morning. Kate will write a proper report when she has had a much needed sleep. (posted by Lucy)

Kate says...
"Kelly helmed past Corryvreckan. Hoping to get through luing. All cheery. Much Giggling."
The wind has come up and boats are now landing at Corpach thick and fast with 5th place due to be decided by the runners. Beeline should be due in the early hours of tomorrow depending on the wind and tides. (posted by Lucy)

up mast

The promised picture of Kate retrieving the halyard from up the mast somewhere in the Irish sea

Jura

Beeline is flying her spinnaker in the sun as they sail up the sound of Jura and making excellent progress. Kate says that the Paps look lovely. The other good news is that the crew now have clean underwear.

Beeline is flying her spinnaker in the sun as they sail up the sound of Jura and making excellent progress now.
The picture is Andy looking nonchalant as Kelly steers us past the Corryvreckan Whirlpool behind him. It is a lovely evening and there is no menace which is a relief!

Andy, Ian and Kate are enjoying the sunset. Kate is apparently too tired to use verbs. hence the latest text...
"Squalls off portpatrick. Pot noodle and melon. Big Rainbow. Long night, lots of boats here!" An interesting food combination - they have promised to save some for the support team.

Two text updates from Kate. All sounding good...
"Mull of Galloway, chicken curry for lunch and Rod Stewart on the Hi Fi. All Well."
"Dundee cake and tea off galloway. Kelly getting a bit carried away. Many itunes."
They are well fed anyway!

Scafell

This was the big one, 17 cycle, mountain marathon, 17 miles cycle back. After egg sandwiches at Wasdale the boys ran up into the clouds and with only minor navigational issues did the job in fine style. They did the round trip out of Whitehaven in about 9 hours, partly fueled by flapjack made by the lovely Laura at the Wasdale marshals post. After a welcome shower for the boys, Beeline left Whitehaven lock at 23:45 for the long leg to Scotland. Photo is at Wasdale on the way back (posted by Lucy).

After crazy winds out of Barmouth, the wind dropped down to not much on the way to Whitehaven. They lost a halyard up the mast and Kate was pulled to the top to fetch it. It had to be done and fearless Kate didn't think twice about braving the heights! (pictures to follow). Kelly says Kate is going into Hyper-mode and they will Make her go below for a sleep soon. (posted by Lucy)
Pictures are:
Beeline at Britannia Bridge
Kate up mast in Irish Sea
Skipper concentrating at the Swellies Rock!

Once we got to Whitehaven we were delighted to sneak in with the keel raised and drop Steve and Andy at midday for an evening run. Tesco Wetherspoons and the laundry competed with he pleasure of a good sleep.

In the Sea Lock

Caernarfon

After what sounds like a very testing passage from Barmouth in big sea with most of the team offloading their lunch, Beeline arrived at the first stop in the early morning light. All looked relieved to have made it in one piece. three other boats have retired. The intrepid runners set off at 4:45 and did a cracking time of 5 hours, overtaking another team's pair on the road back into town. Beeline is now running in 21st, and on her way up the Straits. Photo is the 'after' shot with the runners looking happy t0 have one done. Hopefully better weather from now on (posted by Lucy)

Kate says: We dropped the runners and went to anchor and have a sleep but our short night was disturbed by the tide turning and the boat crashing into the Lucky Tarte. We moved offshore but then were alarmed to find we were dragging out to sea. Luckily this coincided with Steve and Andy returning and Kelly celebrated by making some fabulous fruit porridge which filled us all with warmth and energy ready for Menai.

The start

Beeline on her way out of harbour, and... they're off!
(posted by Lucy)

Kate says: This was quite alarming and we did wonder if we would get out of Barmouth in one piece as there were boats crashing towards us out of control in the breakers as we left harbour. We started with two reefs in the mainsail and a little jib but shortly after we put in a third reef for the first time ever. Chris Scanes made me some lovely sails for this race and the little working jib has become a firm favourite.
We had an excruciating thrash to windward which was nausea inducing and exhausting and most of us were sick. Kelly was a star as she stayed strong and looked after all of us with drinks and reminders to get below in the warm and take our Stugeron. It was a huge relief to turn the corner at Bardsey Head. Only for a minute though as we quickly fell into the race and had a washing machine experience that frightened even Bill Ricketts. But calm returned and the wind died down and we were able to recover as we approached Caernarfon Bar. Unnerved by the Life boat rescuing a fellow competitor we tiptoed in and dropped Steve and Andy at dawn. Leg one complete!

Filthy Weather

We slept badly on board due to a heavy swell and forty foot boats either end of us trying to pull Beeline in half. This morning the rain is lashing down and the wind is howling at 30 knots. It is forecast to improve and the sun should be shining tomorrow. We have given some thought to staying in Barmouth overnight and leaving at dawn! But more likely we will be well reefed and using our lovely new working jib Chris Scanes made for the occasion that has propelled us here so efficiently.
Breakfast in The Anchor Cafe was a Welsh Special and should last 36 hours or so. We have attended the team briefing and the photo call and are now pretty much ready for sea. It is already looking better than it did at 8am and at least I have got out of going up the mast again!
Yesterday I was surprised to be called by Radio Devon for an interview which was actually quite enjoyable. I explained we are supporting the Devon Air Ambulance and all donations are appreciated.
Next chance to update will probably be Whitehaven unless the dongle works and there is time in the Menai Straits. Keep watching our tracker number 1!

Messages to Teams

Current 2011 Entrants

• Beeline of Topsham
• Danu Technologies
• Eclipse
• Firefly
• First Love
• Flemish Lowlanders
• GFT
• Hereford Triathlon Club
• Kasuje III
• Kithros
• Madam Wen
• Moby J
• Peaks Addix
• Peaks and Pie
• Pears ‘n Peaks
• Predator
• Questar
• Satisfaction
• Team Adidas Terrex
• Team Cuddy
• Team Maybe
• Rogan Josh
• Team Shantih
• Team Torbellino
• Team Whistler
• Testa Rossa
• The Lucky Tartes
• Salty Peaknuts
• Thor
• White Clouds
• 4 Pies and a Pasty
• 47 Regt RA

Messages to Teams

Teams may not be "in contact" for much of the race because of the limitations of mobile coverage. If you want a guaranteed way to pass a message to a team you can do this by sending an E Mail to "marshal@3peaksyachtrace.co.uk. Your message must include "FOR [Name of Team] in the subject line. Messages will be handed to teams at Caernafon, Whitehaven and Corpach.

Team assembling

We left Topsham in the trusty Volvo at 5am. Picking up David and Chris en route we had an easy trip to Barmouth. Beeline was still where I left her, but another ten boats have arrived. Fourteen more are due in today, with lots of last minute sorting out to do.
Radio Devon rang and want to talk to us this afternoon. Everyone jumps smartly backwards so it may well be me that has to do the honours.
We are meeting the runners Steve and Andy with Lucy this evening and greatly looking forward to the famous pre race meal at Merioneth Yacht Club. Wendy and Norma, Dennis and Mike and Taf have already made us very welcome.
We will have all five of us on board tonight and heavy rain is expected. It will be very cosy. Kelly has said she would prefer to stay in the Volvo, maybe all week!

Tough Guys

After a forty eight hour trip we arrived at Barmouth in driving rain. While the Skipper cowered below burning toast and making tea the hardened crew were spotting marks and conning us into harbour.

Graham's sunset moment

Happy Graham enjoyed squeezing every last knot out of Beeline. He trimmed the sails and stayed upbeat and cheerful all the way!

Lori at Lands End

Lori planned our passage round Land's End brilliantly and having left Falmouth around 8am we were inside the Longships light with our spinnaker flying to catch the first of the north going tide in the Bristol Channel. Someone left a tea towel on the guard rail though, which lowered the tone a bit!