Alix and I had a Grand Tour this week. We managed to get to Harlington to see my parents for the first time since lockdown, which was lovely. The weather was a bit suspect, so we ate the picnic that we had brought indoors. As Mum and Dad are still shielding a bit, and staying over is still too risky, Alix and I headed to the Yokshire Dales and had a pleasant overnight stay in the Royal Oak, Ripon.
Next morning we had a beautiful drive across the north Pennines towards Cumbria and then across the southern Scottish lowlands via Gretna Green to Alloway. The only downside was we got nicked for speeding (81 in a 60) by two Scottish traffic cops in an un-marked black BMW. I had been pootling along gently, but they must have zapped me as I overtook a dawdling van. Slightly frustrating...
We had a quick look at Ayr (another slightly run-down British seaside town, down on its heels), before heading back to Alloway to our luxury B&B called "Ayrs and Graces" run by the delightful Rhona. Alloway is home to the Brig O'Doon (a medieval bridge over the river Doon) made famous by Robert Burn's poem Tam O'Shanter.
Next morning we headed off to Ardrossen for our meeting with Sunbird. We were met by Chris and Simon Limb (Sunbird Director). Ruairi - who will handover the boat to us in Canet - also popped in to say hello. It was a very friendly and useful meeting and we agreed a few things, including:
1. Swapping offshore electronics pack to coastal electronics pack, so that we have another B&G screen on the port side.
2. Seeing the swimming platform ladder off a new Oceanic 46, which we propose to swap in.
3. Having three waterproof 12v charging sockets (for outboard charger, dinghy inflator, laptop charging etc.). Two should be in “workroom” and one near the engine controls in the cockpit (for the inflator).
4. Discussing a Carbanautica passerelle and how will it be rigged.
5. Agreeing how the solar panels on the Bimini will be wired into a single deck socket.
6. Installation of a tricolour, switched from the main panel (off/anchor light/tricolour).
7. Having a drinking water filter fitted under the sink, and operated on the freshwater side of foot pump.
8. Agreeing to have the Martin Weiss PVC (faux leather) bench covers. We will stick with the beige padding, but have not yet agreed on the floor! (I prefer the darker oak, for contrast).
9. Agreeing to have navy-coloured hull lines and fabric for spray hood and Bimini.
10. The need for a sprung mattress base for the main forepeak berth.
Finally, Chris also told us that SAS will sail with us - on Day 1 - to Spain to clear French customs. After the meeting, Alix and I said farewell and then drove into the hills, before returning for a spot of lunch at Largs Yacht Marina, which has a very pleasant aspect overlooking Great Cumbrae across the Firth of Clyde.
Next morning after Rhona's luxury porage (with honey, cream and whisky), we headed south along the Galloway tourist route heading for the Lake District, via the Solway Firth. We had found a hotel on the edge of Grasmere (Grand at Grasmere) and our room was double aspect looking over the lake and the fells. We managed to circumnavigate the lake on foot and to dodge the showers, before having drinks, playing cribbage and eating a lovely meal, served by very friendly and professional staff.
As Storm Ellen was forecast to sweep across the UK, we decided to head south for home and were glad to arrive back in the Cotswolds tired after surviving the horrors of the M6 roadworks.
