The Travels of Black Jack David

Date

Description

April 1996

Bringing it all back home.
Road Journey from mid Wales to Worcestershire via Clee Hill

May 1996

1st Tryout in Ely.
Trailed to Ely, slept Friday night with the crew (eldest daughter) in the boat on Rosemary and Alan Garfit's drive. Launched in the river (town centre) Saturday morning, motored through cut and under bridge to clay pit, rigged at Ely sailing club, joined in barbeque on island and water treasure hunt. Spent Saturday night tied up to Ely town quay with other crew (eldest son). Recovered Sunday Morning.

Whitsun 1996

1st Major Expedition to Loch Moidart.
Trailed to Loch Moidart, launched and got a tow accross to Eilean Shona where we took a cottage for a week. Some good sailing and a scary time when we put to sea, trying to find Shoe Beach - that day, we ended up picnicing on Castle Tioram (a tidal island in the Loch) - see main picture a couple of pages back.

June or July 1996

Camping in Cobnor.
This was the weekend of the Round the Island Race when a good few yachtes were dismasted. I took the oldest two kids to camp and sail, Aided by John Marlow, we put our nose out of Bosham Creek to go to Itchenor, then headed straight back. Quote from the kids, who were in the cuddy "we looked out of the window and saw under water". John and I enjoyed a cockpit of the stuff - it's not the same without whisky.

August 1996

Two Weeks on Coniston
This included planing across the lake in a force 5/ 6 and the obligatory trip to Peel Island, followed by a night sail back up the lake.

Whitsun 1997

Five Days at Horning
Trailed to Norfolk and launched at Thurne. Sailed to Salhouse Broad where we spent the night in the entrance to the broad (me and the two eldest). I slept in a hammock slung from the boom in the cockpit. The wind funelled nicely through the tarpaulin. Next day, sailed to Horning Hall farm where all of us camped. Trips to Horning Village and Ranworth Broad, as well as another trip to Thurne where we later returned to recover.

June 1997

DCA Weekend Rally on the Tamar
Drove down with Colin on Friday, launched from the Crooked Spaniard Carr Green. Nearly lost Black Jack when we lay alongside a boat belonging to some sea anglers while we tried to get a rope to the quay - they came steaming out of the pub and weren't goin to wait for anyone. Sailed down to the Hamouze and back, force 5/6. Spent the night on a buoy at Weird Quay - we walked in the dark across the peninisula between the Tamar and the Tavy to Bere Ferrers in search of a pub. Set out early next morning for the Mayflower Marina, met Roger Barnes, Aidan de La Mare and Stan (in Rebell). Too windy to go to Burgh Island so we stormed down the St Germans River to the Yatch Club where we had a few drinks with the locals. Spent Saturday Night in or near the Dandyhole. Got up too late, and nearly didn't make it out of the St Germans, seagulling it against an incredibly strong wind with the tide beginning to turn. Wish I'd known about wind convergence back then. Managed to sail back up the Tamar to the Crooked Spaniard and recovered.

July 1997

DCA Falmouth Week
Set out with Andy Bolger and the trailer came unhitched; had to turn back for repairs. Took Satstrugi (double kayak) on the roof. Arrived Tuesday, launched Mylor, sailed across to St Just and anchored off near Windrift. Usual AB rush ashore next morning. Met up with the rest of the rally of St Anthony's head in a calm. AB and I put into the Percuil river exploring the creeks by canoe. We spent the night on a buoy by the boatyard. Cairn on shore job in the morning. Next day, set off to the Helford river in very light airs. All stopped in Kynance Cove. AB amd I spent the evening alongside Tremayne Quay (near Frenchman's creek), cooking over a wood fire. Then anchored off for the night. Next morning early, went in Satstrugi, exploring side creeks, then on a flooding tide up to Gweek and back. When we returned, a strong east wind had got up.

When the east wind blows up Helford river the shining waters become troubled and disturbed, and the little waves beat angrily upon the sandy shores. The short seas break above the bar at ebb-tide, and the waders fly inland to the mud flats, their wings skimming the surface, and calling to one another as they go. Only the gulls remain, wheeling and crying above the foam, diving now and again in search of food, their grey feathers glistening with the salt spray. Daphne du Maurier.

We decided not to chance it, and walked three or four miles to the village for a pub lunch. When we got back, we had a major struggle to get Satstrugi across the mud to the water at low tide. We finally put our nose out of the Helford, well reefed around 5ish that afternoon. Just as we did so, the wind dropped to a force three, while the waves were still three to four foot. Those conditions, against light wind, tide and steep waves towing a 16 foot canoe are not good for Black Jack and it took a long while to clear the Gedges. Crossing the bay was hell, but we just about got back to St Just as night fell. Next day we all sailed up the Fal to the junction with Ruan Creek, had tea in the Smugglers Caf or whatever it's called then we all went home.

More on Nature...

Aug 1997

Two More Weeks in Falmouth
I took four children, Black Jack, and Satstrugi to Percuil while Sue stayed with her Mum. Aidan, who was lending us Windriftt, picked us up in two dinghies with all our baggage, leaving Black Jack and the car in Percuil car park. We installed ourselves, the children delightet because there was no bath, Windrift was anchored just of Place. Then it rained. A few days later, Sue Joined us along with Mike her cousin, Sowrie and their kids, fresh back from Japan. We launched Black Jack and motored round St Anthony's head. Apart from frequent visits to St Mawes, the most memerable trips were:

Up the Percuil in Black Jack and then dinghy, then by foot to PorthKernow
To Falmouth where we met a seal
Out to Sea and Back again
The Beaches around St Anthony's Head
The Pandora in Restronguet Creek
Up the Fal to the King Harry Ferry.

I'd have bought Windrift if I'd have been able. But there you go.

Easter 1998

A Week on the Exe
You can read all about it in the DCA Easter Exe Rally article.

Whitsun 1998

A Week in Ullapool
Took Black Jack and Enrico the Pico to Ullapool - some sailing in Loch Broom but nothing to write home about.

August 1998

Three Weeks in Brittanny
Kept Black Jack anchored in the Baie de Quiberon while we stayed in Jean Paul's house on the Pointe St Colomban. Trips along the coast, out to Quiberon, to Houat and to Morbihan in BlackJack and to Dournenez with Enrico the Pico.

August 1999 (Planned)

Ten Days in Falmouth
Camping in Tretham Mill Campsite, taking Black Jack - we booked two years ago..!

Date	Description
April 1996	Bringing it all back home. Road Journey from mid Wales to Worcestershire via Clee Hill
May 1996	1st Tryout in Ely. Trailed to Ely, slept Friday night with the crew (eldest daughter) in the boat on Rosemary and Alan Garfit's drive. Launched in the river (town centre) Saturday morning, motored through cut and under bridge to clay pit, rigged at Ely sailing club, joined in barbeque on island and water treasure hunt. Spent Saturday night tied up to Ely town quay with other crew (eldest son). Recovered Sunday Morning.
Whitsun 1996	1st Major Expedition to Loch Moidart. Trailed to Loch Moidart, launched and got a tow accross to Eilean Shona where we took a cottage for a week. Some good sailing and a scary time when we put to sea, trying to find Shoe Beach - that day, we ended up picnicing on Castle Tioram (a tidal island in the Loch) - see main picture a couple of pages back.
June or July 1996	Camping in Cobnor. This was the weekend of the Round the Island Race when a good few yachtes were dismasted. I took the oldest two kids to camp and sail, Aided by John Marlow, we put our nose out of Bosham Creek to go to Itchenor, then headed straight back. Quote from the kids, who were in the cuddy "we looked out of the window and saw under water". John and I enjoyed a cockpit of the stuff - it's not the same without whisky.
August 1996	Two Weeks on Coniston This included planing across the lake in a force 5/ 6 and the obligatory trip to Peel Island, followed by a night sail back up the lake.
Whitsun 1997	Five Days at Horning Trailed to Norfolk and launched at Thurne. Sailed to Salhouse Broad where we spent the night in the entrance to the broad (me and the two eldest). I slept in a hammock slung from the boom in the cockpit. The wind funelled nicely through the tarpaulin. Next day, sailed to Horning Hall farm where all of us camped. Trips to Horning Village and Ranworth Broad, as well as another trip to Thurne where we later returned to recover.
June 1997	DCA Weekend Rally on the Tamar Drove down with Colin on Friday, launched from the Crooked Spaniard Carr Green. Nearly lost Black Jack when we lay alongside a boat belonging to some sea anglers while we tried to get a rope to the quay - they came steaming out of the pub and weren't goin to wait for anyone. Sailed down to the Hamouze and back, force 5/6. Spent the night on a buoy at Weird Quay - we walked in the dark across the peninisula between the Tamar and the Tavy to Bere Ferrers in search of a pub. Set out early next morning for the Mayflower Marina, met Roger Barnes, Aidan de La Mare and Stan (in Rebell). Too windy to go to Burgh Island so we stormed down the St Germans River to the Yatch Club where we had a few drinks with the locals. Spent Saturday Night in or near the Dandyhole. Got up too late, and nearly didn't make it out of the St Germans, seagulling it against an incredibly strong wind with the tide beginning to turn. Wish I'd known about wind convergence back then. Managed to sail back up the Tamar to the Crooked Spaniard and recovered.
July 1997	DCA Falmouth Week Set out with Andy Bolger and the trailer came unhitched; had to turn back for repairs. Took Satstrugi (double kayak) on the roof. Arrived Tuesday, launched Mylor, sailed across to St Just and anchored off near Windrift. Usual AB rush ashore next morning. Met up with the rest of the rally of St Anthony's head in a calm. AB and I put into the Percuil river exploring the creeks by canoe. We spent the night on a buoy by the boatyard. Cairn on shore job in the morning. Next day, set off to the Helford river in very light airs. All stopped in Kynance Cove. AB amd I spent the evening alongside Tremayne Quay (near Frenchman's creek), cooking over a wood fire. Then anchored off for the night. Next morning early, went in Satstrugi, exploring side creeks, then on a flooding tide up to Gweek and back. When we returned, a strong east wind had got up. When the east wind blows up Helford river the shining waters become troubled and disturbed, and the little waves beat angrily upon the sandy shores. The short seas break above the bar at ebb-tide, and the waders fly inland to the mud flats, their wings skimming the surface, and calling to one another as they go. Only the gulls remain, wheeling and crying above the foam, diving now and again in search of food, their grey feathers glistening with the salt spray. Daphne du Maurier. We decided not to chance it, and walked three or four miles to the village for a pub lunch. When we got back, we had a major struggle to get Satstrugi across the mud to the water at low tide. We finally put our nose out of the Helford, well reefed around 5ish that afternoon. Just as we did so, the wind dropped to a force three, while the waves were still three to four foot. Those conditions, against light wind, tide and steep waves towing a 16 foot canoe are not good for Black Jack and it took a long while to clear the Gedges. Crossing the bay was hell, but we just about got back to St Just as night fell. Next day we all sailed up the Fal to the junction with Ruan Creek, had tea in the Smugglers Caf or whatever it's called then we all went home. More on Nature...
Aug 1997	Two More Weeks in Falmouth I took four children, Black Jack, and Satstrugi to Percuil while Sue stayed with her Mum. Aidan, who was lending us Windriftt, picked us up in two dinghies with all our baggage, leaving Black Jack and the car in Percuil car park. We installed ourselves, the children delightet because there was no bath, Windrift was anchored just of Place. Then it rained. A few days later, Sue Joined us along with Mike her cousin, Sowrie and their kids, fresh back from Japan. We launched Black Jack and motored round St Anthony's head. Apart from frequent visits to St Mawes, the most memerable trips were: Up the Percuil in Black Jack and then dinghy, then by foot to PorthKernow To Falmouth where we met a seal Out to Sea and Back again The Beaches around St Anthony's Head The Pandora in Restronguet Creek Up the Fal to the King Harry Ferry. I'd have bought Windrift if I'd have been able. But there you go.
Easter 1998	A Week on the Exe You can read all about it in the DCA Easter Exe Rally article.
Whitsun 1998	A Week in Ullapool Took Black Jack and Enrico the Pico to Ullapool - some sailing in Loch Broom but nothing to write home about.
August 1998	Three Weeks in Brittanny Kept Black Jack anchored in the Baie de Quiberon while we stayed in Jean Paul's house on the Pointe St Colomban. Trips along the coast, out to Quiberon, to Houat and to Morbihan in BlackJack and to Dournenez with Enrico the Pico.
August 1999 (Planned)	Ten Days in Falmouth Camping in Tretham Mill Campsite, taking Black Jack - we booked two years ago..!