Nancy is berthed safely at Falmouth at the National Maritime Museum. Bob Hull was acting skipper, Roger Sturge was Navigator and Frank Martin was crew for this stage of the voyage. As his first act as skipper Bob appointed Bryan Bonser as ship’s cat (“What’s the name of the kitten” asked Bridget from the foredeck”). […]

We are slightly surprised to be sending this report on our final passage to Falmouth at this time. Nancy left Weymouth at 10:25 this morning, as planned, having already had a number of admiring visitors. We had spent a comfortable night rafted up in Weymouth opposite the Harbour office. The forecast was for easterly or […]

Today’s 05:20 forecast was for Force 4 or 5 winds, with occasionally Force 6 later from the east or north-east. We filled up with water at 10:30, diesel at 10:45, and departed Yarmouth at 11:00. Frank Martin was acting skipper, Bob Hull was navigator, Roger Sturge was crew and Bryan Bonser reverted to his famous […]

Just as we were about to leave Yarmouth at 10:00 this morning, in steady rain and with the aim of reaching Dartmouth tomorrow night, we luckily discovered that a bolt had sheared attaching the alternator to the engine. Had this broken on the journey here from Dover, or later today, it would have been disastrous. […]

From a pontoon in the harbour at Yarmouth… Nancy arrived here on the Isle of Wight today at 12:05, having left Dover yesterday at 10:00. Bob Hull arrived on Friday evening to make the already strong team of Bryan, Frank and Roger even stronger. The wind on departure was a Force 2 south-westerly, so we […]

The Swallows and Amazons exhibition opened today at the National Maritime Museum Cornwall. Running until July 11th, the display offers a “literary journey” through Arthur Ransome’s life and works. Nancy Blackett is, of course, hoped to be available for viewing and visiting at the museum’s pontoon by the end of the month. In conjuction with […]

We are still in Dover Harbour. Yesterday the winds remained as Force 6 south-westerly, with many white horses in the Channel. Frank stayed aboard and worked on Nancy. Roger and I took the Sea France ferry as foot passengers to Calais – £6 return fare. Frank had a very relaxing day. We walked a long […]

Yesterday the heavy wind and rain reduced at noon and we walked up the hill to Dover Castle. After visiting the secret war-time tunnels, ops rooms and hospital, we had lunch in the NAAFI. Not as inexpensive as Frank and I remember. A good day out. In the evening we entertained our new Dutch friends […]

Nancy is now in Dover and may be here until Thursday waiting for the low pressure to move on. Today the forecast is Force 6/7, possibly with gusts to Force 8 later, and it is not greatly better for tomorrow. Needless to say we are remaining in port and plan to visit the Castle when […]

Nancy left Woolverstone at 17:00 after refuelling and motored to Harwich harbour. Halfpenny Pontoons being full, we picked up a buoy about a mile up the Stour in time for a dinner of chicken pasta and a peaceful Saturday evening aboard. Sunday at 05:00 saw the crew up and we slipped the buoy at 06:10, […]

Our engineer, Mr Peter Norris, gave our new Nanni it’s first service yesterday, Friday 25th, with engine hours at 21.5. Arriving at 08.30, the full check and oil change was completed by 10.45. The new unit is very much quieter, even allowing normal conversation in the cockpit! Roger Sturge arrives at mid-day, completing the crew, […]