There always seems to be a reason or excuse for yet another sail, doesn't there? This time brother Brian needed to return an Eventide road trailer to it's rightful owner Norman. While Norman visited friends in Manchester it seemed an ideal opportunity for Brian to meet him half way with the trailer and why not carry on to Lancashire, pay a visit to relations, check on the beloved Avocet and maybe fit in a trip?

On hearing about the impending visit and inevitable invitation for a sail, plans commenced for a possible two or three day cruise, maybe the Isle of Man this time. However, running simultaneously with the plans were the mounting neglected duties 'chez nous' just waiting for such a vacant weekend. The ensuing domestic arguments resulted in defeat with the odds of one to one against so the ticket was cancelled. The ticket was duly snapped up by sister Janice and her partner Jim, and why not? What better opportunity for a first sailing experience. Meanwhile I was asked to access the internet and provide tide tables and shipping forecast for the weekend:-

High Water at Fleetwood Sunday 28/09/03 13:19 Height 9.8m (springs).

Wind: W, F3 or 4 at 12:00 Sunday gradually changing to S by 12:00 Monday.

Visibility: 10 miles reducing to 5 miles by 12:00 Monday.
High Water at Fleetwood Monday 29/09/03 13:59 Height 9.6m

On reporting back with the above, Brian informed me that his crew had changed their mind. I suppose the fact that their newly acquired house collapsing at one corner and requiring attention was an acceptable reason. With Brian willing to sail single-handed anyway I very reluctantly put a rain check on all the important chores and re-affirmed the position of crew member.

The trusty (with a silent 't') van arrived about 09:00. I picked up my grab bag and we drove off to the mud berth with a stop for provisions on the way (vegetarian of course). The rain started immediately after the boom tent had been removed and remained with us for most of the rigging out procedure. Brian was allowed the privilege of carrying out most of the work while I had to return to pick up a missing holdall and some necessary valuable items that had been left beside the van. I have to mention here that the trusty van was parked very conveniently at the bottom of the entrance to the Blackpool and Fleetwood Yacht Club.

Preparations completed, there was still time for a cup of tea and some vegetarian butties before we lifted on the spring tide at 12:20. Fortunately the rain had ceased. We motor-sailed almost all the way down the river against the tide and the wind, joined by several other cruisers (what happened to the westerlies?) The wind only became favourable as we approached the Irish Sea passing the entrance to Fleetwood Marina. On leaving the River Wyre we heard a long blast from an oncoming trawler and I couldn't help noticing a slight reddening of Brian's face, what was all that about?

Avocet was recognised and acknowledged as being an Eventide by an ex-colleague of mine returning to the marina aboard his UFO 30 shouting out the news of the birth of their baby, "It's a girl". I shouted inappropriately 'Well Done' realizing that his wife Karen deserved the praise for doing the difficult painful bit. I must visit them.

It's amazing after hours of sailing, Blackpool tower is always visible, however it did get used on several occasions as a suitable land point for hand bearing compass fixes providing well needed practice. As usual the wind came from the direction we needed to travel and a few tacks were required losing valuable drinking hours in The Ship at Piel Island.

Out came the binoculars to observe the many eye-catching birds of the feathered variety later to be identified, as families of Eider duck, the males being particularly striking and handsome, just like us really. Also, on the approach to the channel a lone seal popped up to say hello showing only its head. It must be the same seal spotted on a couple of earlier cruises in this area and obviously called Sammy.

Nearing the Island, we were being overtaken by a bright psychedelic yellow cruiser, how dare she? But later noticed and heard the motor, what a cheat! Brian on the other hand demonstrated the art of arriving at a convenient swinging mooring under sail perfectly, or would have been if I'd picked up the buoy. Another opportunity for the well needed practice.

The plan was to go ashore first while there was still hours of daylight and prepare the vegetarian meal later. Suddenly I was allowed to inflate the dinghy while Brian put on his wellies or something, then I was allowed to row across to the Island without getting our feet or anything else wet. A very convenient pile of large rocks provided the perfect place to secure the dinghy painter and we set off on a tour round the castle and the perimeter of the Island which must have taken all of twenty minutes including a search for that unusual piece of pebble to add to Brian's ever growing collection of mementoes.

It was extremely difficult by-pass The Ship Inn and return to the boat without first calling on the landlord but we managed and why not have a pint while we’re at it. The occupants of the psychedelic yellow thing had already called in for a drink and were looking round the castle but returned for some provisions of onions and eggs, a handy pub or what?

We left The Ship after just one pint of Murphy's Stout (honest) and were then confronted by a most idyllic view of Avocet eerily illuminated by the setting sun on the calm water of the channel providing an excellent opportunity for a photograph, of course the camera was on board! Unperturbed we both took hold of the dinghy and began to scrabble over the rocky beach towards the water until simultaneously we came to an abrupt halt and so decided to untie the painter from the very convenient pile of large rocks. Fortunately this time the camera was on board. I was allowed to practice rowing the dinghy back without getting our feet or anything else wet but the task was a little bit more arduous due to the additional weight of the unusual pebble collection and the two additional pints of stout.

The evening was nicely rounded off with an excellent meal of ship's stew (vegetarian of course) washed down with a shared can of lager and a mobile call to our loved ones saying all is well. The dirty pots transferred to the cockpit will have to wait till the morning, as is the custom.

Immediately after the 'sheep count' the storm started and coupled with the flood of the tide, rocked us away from sleep into the early hours of the morning, I last remembered checking my watch at 04:00. Brian tried his best to cut out the noise
including reducing the frapping but should have done better.

The morning was calm as if nothing had happened and we slept in later than planned (09:00). The psychedelic yellow thing had spent the night dried out by the jetty near the pub, maybe local knowledge and perhaps a lesson learned for a future visit.

Winds were now SW F5-6 so made good progress to Fleetwood and having lots of good sailing fun too. Brian tried to use an old smaller headsail to improve the trim but the sail was so old the galvanised bolt rope disintegrated, snapped on hoisting and consequently put back down the fore hatch.

We reached the Wyre estuary in plenty of time and decided to navigate the river on the rising tide whilst entertaining the riverside walkers with our waltzing skills (and pirouetting I may add) along a fair stretch of the muddy bottom also competing with two other cruisers. I fully expected the amused crowds holding up their cards with marks out often.

Turning the last bend approaching the pool we could see that there was insufficient tide to enter the jetty so we ambled along enjoying the scenery judging the timing to perfection and then sailed straight in.

What a perfect end to a pleasant two days or so we thought until we heard the latest. So pleased with ourselves and busy packing up we had not noticed the arrival of one of the club members onto the jetty informing us that Brian's van (parked very conveniently at the bottom of the entrance to the Blackpool and Fleetwood Yacht Club), had just spent the last two high spring tides half submerged.

A quick dash back and a race against time using all Brian's mechanical skills failed to get the van started again before the tide returned so we watched in helpless defeat as it became half submerged for the third time.

We waded knee deep back to the jetty for another cup of tea, finished packing up and put Avocet to rest till the next exciting trip. Watch this space.

My son was duly asked to bring the 4x4 and the van was towed home and after a good nights kip, charged batteries and the electrics dried out it faithfully started and managed a further crippled return trip to Southport but then eventually died. Well,
Brian was going to get a new van anyway!