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, […]

Over four days last weekend with Roger Taylor we put the new engine into use. Saturday was cold with force 6 North-easterly winds, so we worked aboard until late morning, before setting off in force 5 winds to motor down to Harwich Harbour, picking up a mooring some way up the River Stour for lunch. […]

This Saturday and Sunday (April 19th/20th) Nancy Blackett will be conducting engine running-in trials on the River Orwell, prior to departing on Sunday 27th for the Arthur Ransome Society’s AGM at Falmouth over the late May Bank Holiday weekend. An update of her progress from Woolverston to the Fal estuary will be posted here daily. […]

Nancy Blackett still has vacancies for mates for the return legs of her Falmouth voyage, from Poole to Woolverstone (mid-June to early July). There are also great opportunities for crews for all stages of the return voyage during June. Anyone interested in grabbing a chance should contact our Sailing Secretary.

Nancy Blackett’s plans to attend the Shipmate Classic Yacht Regatta at Hellevoetsluis this week are in tatters after encountering extremely rough weather during the crossing of the North Sea. An adverse weather forecast has also meant that she has reluctantly returned to the Orwell and that any further attempts to cross the North Sea this […]