Brighton Belle Sailing Club
is a varied group of people, united by a common interest in owning a large yacht that is capable of sailing long distances. The group have purchased an Oyster 55 as the Club boat. Brighton Belle is a 55' twin masted yacht.

The club is run by committee members tasked with maintaining the yacht in its present good condition and creating a sailing programme to and around such places as Scotland, Ireland, France, the Baltic and the Canary Isles.

Within the organisation there are a number of qualified skippers and mates who take responsibility for the yacht and help develop the boat-handling skills of fellow sailors.

Read more about it here.

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My first trip

Saturday morning 6/7/8 - 6 o'clock on 7th day of eighth month 2010 found us in Brighton, outside Nigel's house, loading the car in readiness for the 7-hour car journey to Falmouth.

Click here for my picture list

Once there - the crew changeover was friendly and good-natured.

Nigel, as skipper, Bob as Mate, Linda, Leon, John, Sheila and I made up the 7.

The overall holiday passage plan was to make the Solent in 7 days. Given that we were at Mylor Marina just upriver from Falmouth, and Fowey was but a few hours sail away in the right direction, the decision was made to sail off immediately and make for the pretty harbour of Fowey.

Sailing away from the jetty was interesting as the wind on the stern quarter pushed the boat onto the jetty and, what with other boats around, effectively trapped the boat onto its moorings.

Nigel demonstrated elegant boat-handling mastery by reversing the way we laid at the jetty and then sailing straight out into the eye of the wind. Simple when you know how.

The 4-hour passage was a joy and those of us who had not sailed on Brighton Belle before were introduced to the very stable sailing that the boat enjoys. Sails were set and the wind just right, we turned left out of Falmouth and didn't use the engine again until we sauntered into Fowey to pick up a mooring buoy as the sun went down.

The following day we enjoyed various relaxing activities. Some went for a walk, some went shopping and I did one of the messing-about-in-boats that I really enjoy - taking the tender up river and exploring the nooks and crannies.

Drinks at the yacht club lunchtime and then repair back to the boat for a snooze. What could be better? I had developed a cold and the wheezes, and that is not a pleasant combination for anyone.

Next morning we set off for Dartmouth - a longer sail of around 10 hours.

Skipper ordered me below to relax, so I did. Fabulous sail, with wonderful views of Eddystone lighthouse, as we romped past.

Pulling into Dartmouth was interesting. The harbourmaster has allocated (exactly) a 55' space. We hadn't told him we have a tender on davits of the stern so we really need getting on for 60'. There then followed another masterful display of putting the boat exactly where is should be with almost no leeway either end. Anxious boat owners fore and aft, spectators on the jetty - but they never need have feared. Nigel was at the helm.

Supper was interesting. John and Sheila prpared supper which was to be chilli con carne. You know what they say about "always read what it says on the tin". Well if you use the tins, thinking it's mild (when it's strong) and then add a "bit extra" to make it tasty - you will be in for a lot of laughing at the supper table as we worked our way through what was effectively a vindaloo. Good fun, a good laugh and well hot.

My sneezes and wheezes were not improving. I made the decision that, if by morning, the position was not markedly improved I would take myself home by train. I can understand what a pain it is to have that on board in a small space and lots of germs - not a legacy I want to leave behind.

The following day it rained that gentle rain of Devon. The weather wasn't cold - but I had one - so I took myself off home by train.

Meanwhile back on board …………………………

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Write to me at:
270 Kings Drive
EASTBOURNE
East Sussex
BN21 2XD


Call me on the following: (unless it's ridiculously late)
0800 95 96 959
01323 502 436
07780 990 369

The books on the left can be ordered direct from here:

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