23rd August
We were awake before our alarm went off and Chris checked the updated inshore weather forecast at 6 am, with all looking good to lock-out at 7 am. Another yacht called Loon was planning to go to Dover and was taking the 6:30 am lock out, so we helped with her lines. We left our berth and got into the lock at 6:45 am with a largish fishing boat. The tide was very low so the water in the lock had to drop about 4 metres, taking about 15 minutes. Once out Chris followed the local fishing boat out to sea, while Carole was sorting out all the other bits and pieces. The wind was light but we put the sails up and with assistance from the engine headed towards Dungeness. Within half an hour, the wind started to build nicely so the engine went off. We could see a few other yachts behind us heading our way, and Loon in front of us on the port bow, but we were making good speed so soon we passed Loon.
Our VHF radio burst into life with warnings of live firing at the Lydd firing range near Rye, which Chris believed had stopped for the summer. We changed our heading slightly to make sure we kept clear of the firing range. We could see Loon behind us and we were also monitoring her on the AIS. Loon had maintained her course which was going to take her into the firing area, but the firing range safety boat had spotted her and called to advise her to change her course so as to clear the range by 3 nautical miles. Loon acknowledged and changed her heading seawards. They say that if there is fog about, it will be near the Dover Straights. The fog started to roll in with the visibility down to about 1000 metres. The visibility then started to deteriorate down to 200 metres and Chris felt it was advisable to activate our automatic fog horn warning others of our presence. The fog signal for a sailing boat is Morse Code D (one long and two short blasts every two minutes). We could also hear the Lydd range firing out to sea in our direction and we just hoped that they had got their sums right for the range. It was like a war zone! Luckily, the fog started to lift a little and we were able to see Dungeness Power Station, where we switched off the fog horn. Once passed we changed our course towards Dover. The sea state was now a little more agitated as it usually is around Dover. Chris switched our VHF radio to dual watch for channels 16 and 74 (Dover Port Control) so that we could keep an ear out for large ship movement close by. We were sailing about 3 miles offshore as we passed the western entrance of Dover and we heard permission being given to another yacht to enter the harbour. The skipper was asked if ear defenders were required before being escorted to the marina, something you don’t often hear but apparently the piling works there is exceptionally noisy and in fact, we could hear it from where we were 3 miles away, so it must have been awful once in the harbour.
Chris double checked wind, tides, etc. and we were happy to continue on to Ramsgate. We also noted that Loon’s skipper must have done the same sort of checks and decided to continue to Ramsgate (or it might have been the piling works that put him off going into Dover!). The wind continued to be our friend today and we sailed on round South Foreland, following the coast up towards Ramsgate. A few miles before Ramsgate, we heard a transmission from the boat guarding a cable laying boat operating just south of Ramsgate. All ships were being advised to give a clearance of at least one nautical mile to ensure their safe passage. A mile or so before Ramsgate’s entrance, Carole put out all the fenders and checked the lines just in case the waters outside Ramsgate became too agitated, as they often are. Chris also lifted the outboard engine off the side and put it in the fender locker just in case it got in the way when mooring up. Chris then radioed into Ramsgate Port Control for permission to enter, which was readily given and just as we turned into the harbour, Carole radioed into the Marina for berthing instructions and adjusted fenders and lines ready to tie up. As we approached the Visitors’ Pontoon, we were delighted to see one of the Marina staff in her hi vis jacket, smiling and all ready to take our spring line. Once safely tied up, we adjusted our position to lie better in the berth as we were just “kissing” the side of our neighbour, who it turned out was from the river Mersea. We both commented favourably on how this was the first time we could remember being assisted with our lines by a member of the Marina team. The time was now 4:20 pm; our trip from Eastbourne had taken approx. 9 hours.
We had a nice cuppa and a slice of toast before heading up for a hot shower to wash away the cares of the day. Supper tonight was what Ramsgate is famous for – fish and chips. Tonight we splashed out and sat in and it did not disappoint, although our plates went back still half full as portion sizes are huge. We strolled back to the boat in the early evening sunshine looking forward to the next day as we would be going home!
