Spirits were high this morning even with the 05:30 alarm clock. We were up, out the lock (marina) and in the dinghy at exactly 07:00. We were obviously optimistic about making the 92 miles left to our finish point, and everything we did was towards that end. We even hit a new record for us, 10minutes and 24seconds from getting into the dinghy to having two kites in the sky. When we first started 3 months ago it was taking us over an hour each time we had to launch. So we really have come a long way since then (and not just in physical miles).
At the start we were making good progress, with Mentor cruising along at 9 knots, but soon the tide turned against us and our speed dropped down to first 8knots then 7.5knots. The wind meant that as kiters we were on a beam-to-broad reach (90-130 degrees to the wind), one of our faster directions, so we kept heading back to make sure we didn’t get too far ahead of Mentor. Even the wildlife seemed to know this was a big day for us, with everyone making a appearance, we saw 3 harbour porpoises, 5 seal, ~20 puffins, as well as the usual fulmars, gannets and razorbills.
As my stomach started to rumble, and Joe put his order in for lunch the wind dropped, leaving Stew and I waving our kites in the air like flags, and getting nowhere. Perfect timing to move to the bigger kites and grab a sneaky bite before continuing on. Jeremy, chief rescue officer and sandwich extraordinaire delivered each of us a tasty ham and cheese sandwich. Joe’s unfortunately was not yet done when Jeremy got sent out, so he begrudgingly went down to make it himself. We have an intercom system on the boat, which can be used to call from the fly-bridge, where Joe helms, down to the galley (kitchen) where Jeremy hangs out. Joe often uses this to order tea, fruit or a bowl of Shreddies (his favourite cereal). When we’re moving it’s vital that someone always keeps watch, as there are boats and fishing pots to look out for along the way. This means over the last few month Joe’s been spoilt, with his regular food deliveries. However, as we were all stationary while changing kites, we could act as his eyes for the few minutes it took him to nip down to add that all important lettuce to complete his sandwich.
We relaunched on the larger kites just as the wind came in, and with it the rain. This is only the third time we’ve kited in the rain all trip, the first being outside Uist and the second was two days ago on our way to Hartlepool. Outside Uist it felt more like snowflakes getting stuck on your eyelashes, all you had to do was bat them off. Today it was hundreds of tiny bullets firing at your face. I couldn’t head into the wind as this showed too much of my face to the on-coming shower, causing a burning sensation. But because the wind was so strong I couldn’t head on our intended beam reach either. (On a beam reach there is no way of depowering the kite, so if you’re over powered this can result in being sling shotted off over the top of your board, often with it cartwheeling after you). In the end I resorted to kiting upwind with my face pointing downwind, every once in a while squinting to make sure I wasn’t about to head into a fishing pot, Stew or any other obstacle. It stung, like having pins and needles all over your face. But just as quickly as it appeared, it had gone, and we were on our way again.
It was too optimistic to think we’d finish today, but we made good progress. An early start again tomorrow in hopes to catch the early breeze. Its due to disappear by nine, so we’ll see how far we get. So close now!
Scarborough’s Skipping Day
Originating from an older tradition known then as ‘Ball Day’ – a public holiday when apprentices and servants would join one and other to play games on the foreshore – ‘Scarborough’s Skipping Festival’ has taken place for around 100 years. Known today by its more informal name of ‘Skipping Day’, the tradition is thought to have gained its name from the children who joined in the fun and games with their skipping ropes. Every year on Shrove Tuesday, Pancake Day to the rest of us, Scarborough closes the Foreshore Road to allow people to partake in the town’s tradition of skipping.
Map of today’s route
Map Key: Stew (Red), Islay (White) and Mentor (Blue)
| Days since start of trip | 101 |
| Number of Kiting Days | 49 |
| Distance Travelled Today | 56 nm |
| Distance Kited Today | 83 nm |
| Time spent kiting today | 7 hrs 52mins |
| Total Distance Travelled | 1613 nm |
| Total Distance Kited | 2360 nm |
| Total Kiting time | 244hrs 37mins |
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