We arrived in Southampton over an hour early, and so we were allowed to take the 1pm sailing instead, almost driving straight through the check-in and onto the ferry. Now that's service for you. It sounds crazy but we were both really excited as we settled ourselves down in the 'pet friendly' lounge on deck A and ordered lunch (that's an all day breakfast for Dean, and a cheesy jacket for Linda).
Driving straight onto Red Osprey....
the Southampton to East Cowes ferry
Saffy squashed in the back with the food etc
Here's the view as we drive onto the ferry
Will he eat it all?
As we departed and made our way down Southampton Water there were quite a few yachts out sailing, and we commented how strange it felt to be on the ferry watching the yachts go by when it's usually us on the yacht watching the ferry go by (or keeping out of it's way to be more precise). There were CCTV screens showing the view forward and we had a great view of the Container Ship we were following at close range.
Girls for Sail in training
By 2.20pm we had arrived at Thesee and the unloading began. Saffy decided she wanted to do some sunbathing with the wind in her hair, so she sat on deck (on one of the solar panels actually) for well over an hour watching the world go by as we tried to get ourselves straight. We've brought the fore-cabin bed slats back with us this time to see if we get on better with them than the new dry mesh.
We can see you Saffy dog, but you can't see us
This is the retirement life for me
Thesee is just fine and awaiting lots more TLC from the crew. Looking forward to Angela arriving tomorrow and going to visit cousin Chris on Thursday.
Tuesday 17th April… Seems Dean is keeping to the plan of getting up early. We keep forgetting it’s midweek and have to eat cereals not scrambled eggs on toast. Today’s job was deck scrubbing. When we did this last June it was so warm we worked barefoot, but today it wasn’t barefoot weather and so we donned our wellies. Not that it was raining, but it was windy and we didn’t want cold tootsies. Linda immediately got in trouble because her wellies were muddy and made a complete mess all over the deck. It’s quite a big job and Dean commented it’s times like this he wished he had a 20 footer. Nevertheless, we got stuck in with Dean finishing the afternoon shift on his tod.
Man at work
Essential tools for this job....water sponge, brush, and polish
At 4pm Angela arrived on the ferry and Linda excitedly went to pick her up. It feels weird being able to drive about, normally we don’t have a car and have to walk everywhere. We do have folding bikes in the aft cabin but they’re not coming out until we reach France apparently. Angela is staying at a nearby hotel and she’s got a nice cosy modern guest room.
'Vessel Finder' shows Angela's ferry just about to pass Calshot Spit
Here comes the Red Falcon ferry with big sis on board
Here she comes .... Welcome to the Island
She's not staying in any old guest room you know
This evening we all went down to the Folly Inn for dinner and pudding, yum yum. Dean was exhausted after his busy day and as soon as we got back he went straight to bed. Luckily there was another member of the crew who stayed up to write up today's blog 😊
Wednesday 18th April… The day started with Angela walking down to meet us on Thesee after her big breakfast in the hotel. She was intrigued by all the goings on in the boatyard, watching curiously as the crane lifted and transported a couple of boats back into the water. Both Linda and Angela were particularly interested in the boat called ‘Doris’ (their mum’s name). Dean’s job for the day was hull polishing.
Angela filming Doris
Dean at work.....again
We had an early lunch al fresco in the cockpit as it was a super sunny day, then the girls (that includes Saffy too) went off in the car for a bit of a tour. First stopping off at the lovely church in Whippingham, then cross country to Freshwater, Totland, and Yarmouth. As we made our way to Freshwater we stopped off at Brook Bay and watched the rollers coming in. It was quite something. We didn’t get back to the boat until 5.30pm to find Dean still hard at it with his polishing mop and a sunburnt forehead.
St Mildred's Church, Whippingham with its interesting graveyard residents
Brook Bay Rollers on the south of the Island
Now looking towards the cliffs at Freshwater
Ice Cream time at Yarmouth
On the old railway footpath near the River Yar
We ate dinner onboard (once Dean had finally stopped polishing), and afterwards the girls indulged in a couple of games of Tri-ominoes.
Thursday 19th April… Many apologies to all Thesee Followers for being absent bloggers for two days. Here goes with what we’ve been up to.... So today was Linda and Angela’s big day out that they’ve been waiting for... their pre-arranged meet-up with their cousin Chris. But the first job of the day was getting the Parasailor out of the sail locker to take lots of photos, this because we have someone who is interested in buying it. The digital barometer was showing over 32 degrees inside the boat. Yes it was warm but that’s surely not right.
32.7 degrees!!!! You cannot be serious??
Then it was time to head over to Chris’s house in the south of the Island. We reckon we haven’t seen each other for at least 10 years so a lot of catching up to do. She is an avid Family History fanatic just like Linda and Angela. It was such a hot sunny morning and we sat outside in Chris and Rob’s beautiful garden until lunchtime exchanging happy stories, browsing through old black and white photographs, and comparing our well-thumbed family history notes. The view from their garden is incredible.
Here we are with cousin Chris.....long time no see!
....and here's the garden view....WOW
After a lovely long lunch inside cooling off, we went for a stroll across Ventnor Down. From there you can see for miles and miles in every direction. The sea looked real calm and Linda commented she would like to cross the Channel on a day like this! We had a fabulous time, a real day to remember for years to come.
Larking about on Ventnor Down
Our arrival back at the boatyard was getting on for 6pm. Of course Dean was still at it, performing a final polish of the Starboard side hull. He has teak-treated all of the woodwork, checked and re-greased the impeller speed seal, finished touching up the copper-coat, and stored away the sail covers under the bed in the aft cabin.
We ate dinner on-board and spent the evening chatting about what a lovely day it had been.
Friday 20th April… Dean works so hard on the boat, he never stops. Every morning he has been up early starting his jobs before 8am. More polishing was on the agenda today, and he was excited because one of the guys in the boatyard suggested he borrow a mobile tressel to do his polishing instead of teetering at the top of his ladder. He jumped at the idea and was happy as it turned out to be so much easier!
It's a big job but much easier now Dean has 'proper' equipment
Meanwhile, Linda and Angela met up again with cousin Chris and spent a truly magnificent day at Queen Victoria’s Osborne House. We entered the grounds and almost immediately came across a Cork tree. How unusual is that? We strolled around the house getting the feel of how Victoria, Albert, and their NINE children used to live. The guides told us interesting stories of days gone by, and also about the recent on-site filming of Victoria and Abdul.
First views of the 'House'
Cork Tree
The magificent Queen Victoria
This is the room where she greeted VIP's
The Nursery
The Horn Room.... visitors waiting room
From there we walked through the flower packed terraces and through the grounds reaching the seafront and beach where Victoria’s Bathing Machine was on show. We sat in the stripy deck-chairs and ate yummy ice-cream as we watched the boats at anchor. It was busy in the bay today, about 25 boats, but then again it was yet another very warm sunny day.
Lady Chris and Lady Angela inspecting the Flower Terraces
The view is almost as good as Chris's back garden!
Devilish ice creams, and QV's bathing machine in the background
After visiting Swiss Cottage (that was the children’s playhouse) we ended up back at the main house and very lady-likely took afternoon tea and cake on the lawn. The cake of course being a Victoria Sandwich. QV likes a bit of jam on one’s sponge you know. So Lady Chris, Lady Angela, and Lady Linda felt rather privileged to be having such a spiffing tea-party.
Fancy dress games at Swiss Cottage
....and here is Swiss Cottage, not bad for a playhouse
The Ladies Royal Tea Party
Victoria Sandwich, one's favourite
Entering the walled garden
So neat and tidy
Is Lady Linda posing? No....she's just got a hot head
We had to take a Scone back for the Scone King
We said farewell to Chris after a wonderful two days together. It was Angela’s last evening here and we decided to go out for a meal at Island Harbour, having to sit outside because they’ve banned Saffy Dogs from the restaurant. It was a warmish evening and so we didn’t mind. If you ever get chance to visit Osborne House it's well worth making a day of it.
Saturday 21st April... What happened today then? It was Angela's last day, and at 10am Linda picked her up and they went to Whippingham Church again, this time hoping to go inside and research more info about royal tombs. However, it turned out the Church was closed Friday, Saturday, and Sundays. Instead they went for a walk down at East Cowes Marina. It's not such a good weather day today, but i suppose we can put up with it. Angela caught the 1.30pm ferry back to Southampton. It was quite weird not having her around. We miss you Angela!
Saying our cheerio before catching the ferry
On the evening it was our BOA Rally meet up at the Lifeboat Inn. There were 6 of us in attendance (plus Saffy dog), and we had a really enjoyable meal and get-together with our fellow BOA members. Yet again sharing stories and listening to each others plans and dreams. What a brilliant night it was. Many thanks to BOA for buying the drinks.
Super Six Sharing Sailing Stories
Sunday 22nd April… After last night's thunder and lightning which went on for hours it was yet another sunny morning, but the wind’s picked up and has a little chill. Nevertheless, a great day for sailing, and Linda decided to look on 'Vessel Finder' to see how many boats were out in the Solent..... hundreds it would seem from the next photo.... and remember, these are just the boats with AIS signals!
It's busy out on the water today
We decided it would be a good idea to nip into Newport to replenish our stocks of water. Another 12 two litre bottles required. We’re trying to drink as much as possible because… well, everyone says you’re supposed to. Good job it’s cheap in Lidl, only 19p a bottle! From there we were itching to take a stroll along the Quayside. It was low tide and all the boats were sitting in the mud, there was just a trickle of water mid-stream and the ducks were having a great time in it. There is no way Thesee could get this far up the River Medina, in fact Dean said he chickened out when he brought his other boat Jasmine up here many years ago.
Low tide by any chance?
Newport Quay ..... a first visit for Linda and Saffy
We sat outside and had a coffee in the Arts Centre before going back to East Cowes. After lunch the job of the day was polishing the stainless (stantions, pulpit, pushpit, bimini, davit, hydrovane) and Dean also did one final polish over the hull. The evening was quite pleasant and so we decided to get the Cobb BBQ out and give it a go.
Getting the Cobblestone going
Looks good, tastes good Chef
Monday 23rd April… Twiddling our thumbs a bit today, just a few last minute bits and bobs to complete but we couldn’t really get into it. Besides, Linda kept checking the news for the arrival of the new baby Prince on St George’s Day! Dean was doing a small fibreglass repair to the coachroof. We’re so looking forward to Thesee’s re-launch tomorrow. This evening we yet again tried to get an App to start creating our videos, but we’re finding it very difficult. If there’s anyone out there who has any ideas on which free App we should use, any help would be gratefully received.
Tuesday 24th April… Goodbye Kingston Boatyard and goodbye Isle of Wight, it’s time for us to depart. We had been booked in for a 10.30am re-launch but they suggested we move it to 9am as there was more tide to play with. That was fine with us as we were ready. And so Thesee was lowered back into the water and Dean proceeded to check that all of his new seacock fittings were watertight, and yes they were. Well Done Mr C. An early re-launch however didn’t mean an early departure because we still had to wait for the tide to turn and Linda was booked on the 1.30pm Red Funnel car ferry back to Southampton.
Dean cast off at 12.45pm for his solo trip (with Saffy as crew) back to Fareham. He’s only done one solo trip on Thesee before and that was last year, just a mere hop from Gosport to Fareham, so today was quite a big deal crossing the Solent.
Dean draped carpet on the hull to protect strap marks
Back on water where you belong Thesee
Dean's departure, see you in Fareham
Keeping mid-river as it's low tide
Linda's spotted Thesee from the ferry terminal
The wind was a good Force 5 blowing in from South West which meant he could use just the Staysail. He did so well that he beat Linda back to Fareham and managed to berth himself on the pontoon singlehandedly, before she even arrived and begged a lift out to the pontoon from the boatyard. Thanks to the staff at Wicor for so kindly obliging. Home tomorrow, but will be back next week to start ‘The BIG Adventures of Thesee’.
So thanks to all our Thesee Followers for reading the Blog and following us in our adventures so far xxx
