4 Kidneys and a Wonky Leg

Yesterday as we sat, 35 knots of wind screeching in the rigging of the yachts, all jostling in their berths, like impatient thoroughbreds waiting for the start of a race. We hatched a plan to leave Amble, there was a small break in the weather, although it was a northerly headwind which meant short tacking up the coast.

The day started well, a light breeze from the NW, happy days, less tacking we thought. I’d shaken the reef out of the main sail, we were gliding along at 6knots, when there was a creaking from the winch as rope tensions tightened. What’s that? says Louise, that’s 30 knots of wind says I. Even Watanga can heel over when she’s that overpowered!

Over the course of the next half hour the seas grew lumpy and we started a long slog up to Lindisfarne in not desparate, but definitely uncomfortable conditions. The upside of the twenty or so tacks we had to make was it kept us warm on what was a sunny but cold day. On the way we passed Bamburgh Castle and the beach we had walked along a couple of days ago.

It certainly looks impressive from the sea.

We anchored at Lindisfarne in “The Heugh” for Lunch.

Sadly we didnt have time to go ashore, but took loads of pictures. Plenty of seals here.

Then the second leg of the passage to Berwick on Tweed. We motored this part as time was pressing to pass over the sand bar at the entrance.

The Harbourmaster was very welcoming, the pontoon only has enough room for 3 Boats and one of them is a lifeboat.