AVOCET'S SHAKEDOWN, JULY 2003. Skippool - Walney - Skippool

I wanted to have a more adventurous, longer than ever sail, maybe Isle of Man or even Ireland. Brian needed a shakedown cruise after repairing and nursing Avocet back to health as a result of the colliding of masts on Skippool earlier this year with a neighbouring yacht. But things never always go to plan do they?

I had frustrating, inconvenient work commitments and Brian ended up with more work to do on Avocet than he had bargained for, the remaining problem that the slugs on the genoa being too large for the new furling gear. However, not to miss out, a trip was planned for the weekend 5th/6th July.

This was the last opportunity due to the tide times and levels before Brian returned to Norfolk.

High water was at 15:40 8.2mts leaving us with a comfortable passage plan to Piel or Walney Island. Liverpool Coastguards shipping forecast: NW 3 or4 backing 2-3, fair - showers slight.

We arrived around 12:00 with a little more preparatory work before heading off. The tide started to flood at 13:45 and at 15:40 we departed under motor with mainsail up after a little assistance pushing and shoving to free us from the well-seated mud berth. We almost didn't get away!

The conditions were favourable and before we reached the end of the estuary we switched off the motor and were sailing with full sails at 16:15. A couple of other cruisers accompanied us but we resisted the urge to start racing I think, although Brian was constantly adjusting the trim for more efficiency. I was fully expecting him to cover up the eyelets (must have left the tape in the van).

Handicapped with the missing genoa we held our own and made good progress passing the No 14 port/hand buoy at 16:50.

Out in the open sea, the lighthouse on Walney was soon visible and we were just able to pinch enough with only one tack required all the way to Piel Island. The place was swarming with visiting yachts and parties full of kids so we decided not to stop and we were not yet ready for a beer or that's what Brian (THE SKIPPER) said.

Shipping forecast at 17:50 gave: variable SW 3 or 4 veering S 5 or 6 cloudy but dry.

We sailed on to Walney Island with thoughts of going all the way round, well it has to be done.

With no suitable local chart we decided to moor just the North side of the bridge over to Walney and pick the brains of the locals at the Walney Marine Yacht Club. Then armed with knowledge tackle the Island in the morning. Did this mean a drink?

Approaching the bridge I kept look out and assured Brian that there was amples of clearance and sure enough we had easily one foot to spare, phew! The gauge on the bridge showing 11.2 meters. At 20:30 we found a free mooring just outside the pub near a convenient slipway and directly opposite the BAE Systems shipyard.

Brian demonstrated his culinary expertise and prepared a vegetarian meal……………again, while I inflated the dinghy. I can't cook anyway.

The sign on the door said 'members and invited guests only' so we invited ourselves. Quite a cosy little bar really and no sooner inside started to search for the most likely local expert. Phil McNeil fitted the bill informing us that he had once sailed round the island. We immediately scanned all the numerous wall charts but with not one suitable I borrowed pad and pencil from behind the bar, sat Phil down and urged him to navigate us round the island on paper. It soon became apparent that he did actually know the route and the trip was on!

However, after we came to our senses having quizzed Phil for at least an hour and at least a couple of pints later we realised that almost everything was against us. A dark 3am start; a low tide; unfamiliar waters; needing to get back to base on the following high water; the fact that not many locals use the route; but maybe it was the option of a lie in and a leisurely breakfast that tipped the balance.

We left at midnight, (well the beer was cheap) with Phil inviting us to visit his Colvic Watson in the morning where he would be able to show us arial photographs depicting the route round the island taken by a British Aerospace pilot/friend.

After a peaceful night my reward for the trip was to deflate the dinghy and scrub the decks clean while Brian prepared the breakfast (meusli) then I was allowed to wash the dishes including the ones from the previous nights meal.

A trip to the public conveniences was less convenient than expected with the gents being closed and Brian and I taking it in turn to guard the entrance of the ladies while abluting. This was followed by a quick walk down the footpath by the channel amongst the natterjack toads and the rare plant life to check on the navigability. We could have done it! Maybe some other time.

The passage under the bridge at low water 09:00 was a little less worrying than yesterday with the gauge on the bridge showing 11.5m. We sailed passed the moored yachts on the return looking for Phil's boat, what was the name? Blue I think? Only one Colvic but not the right one.

Sailing back through the channel at low water was a little tricky with the sounder alarm set at 2m constantly bleeping, so Brian switched it off eventually, how annoying.

On the way past Piel Island we spotted Phil and moored alongside. It didn't take long for him to produce the photos he promised plus loads of others besides. The photos did match up with the drawings though.

We continued to make our way back to Fleetwood constantly pinching against the now SW winds but making good progress keeping pace with the other cruisers especially considering we were without the genoa. It was almost impossible to pinch sufficiently to stay in the channel without having to tack, just missing the port buoys. It fact on a couple of occasions the 'just missing' was close enough for Brian to scorn. OOPS! We eventually did have to tack just the once otherwise I probably would have hit one of them.

The plan was to arrive at Fleetwood two hours before high water but we were far too early, these Eventides are so fast! After a few pirouettes and circuits around the entrance to Fleetwood marina whilst dodging the outgoing traffic, we followed the Colvic down the river only to arrive at the jetty way before high water. Time to weigh anchor and try and eat the rest of the food on board before it got wasted, washed down with another cup of tea, while we observed the water level at the jetty through binoculars. With only an 8m tide the timing had to be just right. We watched some of the club racers hoping that we would not be in the way.

We sailed by the jetty and removed some obstructing flotsam before lining ourselves up on the berth. In hindsight we should have rammed the bank at full speed because try as we might the stern had to be left protruding from the end of the berth about 4ft phew!

A few more sea miles and another terrific sail under our belts we put Avocet to bed and headed for home. One day Smokey and I will visit Walney Island.

Graham Platts.