Inspirational Trip to Herm

04 May 2004

Some days are truly inspirational. Sunday 2nd May 2004 at 15.30 is one of those days. The weather is great, there is a nice breeze and everyone is cheerful. There can even be small problems that are solved easily and quickly with a bit of teamwork and it just makes things better. These days are remembered for their carefree and enjoyable atmospheres.

This particular day we had a good crossing- we hoisted the main, came up into the wind and in about 4 knots of wind, Mystere was happily doing 7 knots… a wonderful day. During the hoist of the headsail Aidy, being on the foredeck, notice that the foot was twisted, 10 seconds later and we have both sails up and the boat is now doing 8 knots and is so perfectly balanced, she can sail in a straight line with no one at the tiller. This was the first time Mystere had worn that sail and it was a great sight to see it fit so perfectly.

Shane headed up to the bow with Aidy to tidy up the spinnaker halyard and pole up-haul leaving Helen at the helm. Shortly afterwards, Helen was insisting that Shane take the helm as Mystere was coming up to Herm quickly. This in fact meant we were sailing into the harbour! Aidy, Shane, Helen & Leigh all chipped in and in the space of 2 minutes did the following in a particularly smooth and controlled manner which surprised everyone! Headsail dropped and bungeed to the foredeck, gybe main to avoid other moored patrons of herm (a RIB decided it would cut in front of us and then stop), tack around to avoid Herm ferry, start motor, drop the main and motor to the area we had decided to anchor.

As we were coming up to the anchoring position, Aidy as ‘Anchor Master’ (A position held for 2 years!) informs us all that the head sail needs to be shifted as he cant get into the anchor locker… this is what the fore hatch was designed for… shoving it down below! With the foredeck cleared Aidy is ready to drop the ‘hook’ as we scan for a nice sandy patch. Amusement ensues when Aidy states that he is dropping the anchor, Shane at the helm put Mystere into reverse but the engine strap has come loose. Leigh is ordered to stand on the jumping bubbling engine to push the prop into the water and Mystere shifts into reverse at about 3 knots. During the cockpit excitement of Leigh doing the ‘twist’ with the backstay, Aidy has managed to get the anchor on a patch of sand into which it readily bites… this had three consequences… Aidy is nearly pulled off the front of the boat, Leigh nearly went off the back and Shane had to stop laughing and take the boat out of gear… then start laughing again!

Now that we had anchored, it was time to get to work, Leigh was provided with a flat dinghy, a pump and a bottle of beer! Helen gets a Capri Sun and has a small tidy up, Aidy and Shane get a beer and sit down in the cockpit overseeing the various tasks.

In herm there is a very strong 2 knot current flow South which made the dingy crossing to the beach… different!! It was different as we couldn’t be bothered to get to the beach and we landed on the rocks. Shane did an admirable job of jumping into the cold water at shin height to make sure that everyone got off safely and the vessel did not hit the rocks. A clamber over the rocks with the dingy followed before it scaled the cliff face! After a walk along the coastal path to the beach, the dinghy was set down to rest and the crew headed to the local tavern to do the same.

On the way to the pub, new Frisbees were bought including a new prototype disc that, in fact, did not fly very well at all. One of life’s great pleasures is to sit outside at the Mermaid Tavern and drink a cold beer so that is exactly what we all did. The only thing that could spoil the bliss is the mention of exercise… however, it was Frisbee being suggested which has to be played as much as possible in the summer. We headed to the beach where the height of the tide meant Frisbee had to be played on lots of small stones… we were saved by the late hour and the need to head back to Mystere.

Indian canoe style paddling in the dinghy and once more back to the yacht.

It was a nice sail back to Guernsey with the wind off of our Starboard quarter. A lot of time was spent playing as we tried different combinations of sail and halyard tensions to discover ways of increasing speed over the ground. About 2/3 of the way there the wind shift meant that it was almost dead astern so the outboard was started. Motor sailing is fun… at 8 knots back to St Peter Port we passed two other yachts before lowering the sails and entering the marina.

A slow jaunt through the Marina and a perfect entry into the berth… Mystere was moored again and all packed away…Leigh is late for his stew and Aidy late for his BBQ… drive safely guys… no speeding!