Easter Cruise to Yarmouth & East Cowes 2nd to 7th April 2013

Our Maiden Cruise of 2013, we headed to Yarmouth IOW on Tuesday 2nd of April for a few days, it was still 3deg with cold NE blowing F4/5, we had the wind and tide behind us so the passage was fine, however shortly after arriving the wind got up blowing F7 making it very uncomfortable in Yarmouth Harbour. We stopped for two nights but it was so bad we finally made a break for the shelter of East Cowes, so glad we did as we were both beginning to feel quite ill......never go to Yarmouth when blowing a N/NE.....its does say this in the almanac.

The Skipper en-route to Yarmouth

New Pontoons at Yarmouth IOW

Greek Princess in Yarmouth during a lull in the wind.

GP moored under the Marina offices, clam and flat ..Bliss!

GP after a wash down & polish and the Sun came out.

Greek Princess basking in Sun

GP sheltered in East Cowes, Sunny & Calm

New Polished Anchor  & Plate

Fisheye Shot under the Marina Office

The Admiral still smiling after 5 days on a cold boat

The Admiral peering out at sunset

Even cleaned the fenders

Fabulous spring weather just need some warmth. 

Duck with broken wing, being fed by Zee

Zee taking some rays

March 2013, weve joined the ECA

Eastney Cruising Association Burgee

We have just been accepted as members of The Eastney Cruising Association in March 2013, and hopefully we will be doing some Motor Cruising Rally's with the club in the coming months.

Sir Alec Rose was a member of the ECA when he sailed round the world in 1968 in Lively Lady.

Chilli Weekend in February with the Kids

Its half term this week, so on Friday 22nd of February (with the temperatures just above freezing), Jude had been asking to go on the boat for some weeks, so we decided to take Jude & Little Zena to the boat for a couple of days braving the Sub Zero weather. The kids loved it, Zena and I managed to brave the weather on the odd occasions we ventured from the otherwise cozy boat.

Look at me Gran dad..!

Come on Nanny it not that Cold!

Were off to the shower block....

I've got my coat on I'm ready..

February 16th & 17th Weekend - Annual Spring Clean

Beautiful Weekend at last, Cool but warm in the sun

Zee & I spent the whole weekend cleaning GP at Port Solent

Stripped step & transom then re-oiled

Transom looking new again

Zee just chilling after her hardwork

After one of the coldest winters in recent times the weather finally picked up this weekend, with temperatures rising to 10 deg C, we took the break in the cold to give GP a spring clean scrubbing away the winter grime and mouldy green. Zee did the inside and I did the outside and also stripped the teak step & transom and then re-oiled. Hopefully a few more weeks and things will begin to warm up and we can get back on the water.

South Coast White Out - January 18th 2013

 

White out in Port Solent

You couldn't see the Lock Gates

Wall to wall white

GP is snow bound

Thick Snow blankets the South, I thought Christmas was over?

Its snowing!

White out in the UK today, its the heaviest snow for some years, where is the Sun?

P14 Mooring all fendered up

Greek Princess on her new P14 Mooring with the dock all fendered up.....ready for the next boating season

Relaunch and return to Port Solent 30th Nov 2012

GP sporting new Polished SS Anchor and Bow Plate

GP about to be lifted back in

After 6 weeks ashore being cleaned up GP was relaunched today 30th November 2012, it was freezing 2 deg and icey. Sea state calm so I brought the boat back on my own for the first time single handed. On our return we went to our new mooring of P14. All back safe and sound although one of the lock gates had broken and I had to lockin on my own...all went well.


Bow line going on



Just about to be lifted



She looks clean



Finally home, single handed ..... my 1st time



Arriving on new mooring P14 for the first time

Pimp my Bayliner

I was in the Foulkes (Breakers) Boatyard on the Hamble looking for a small length of 1/4" SS Anchor Chain when I came across this helm wheel (2nd hand) well just could'nt resist it....bargain at just £40, it came off a Fairline or Sunseeker......it will be the nearest I get to owning one!



Before



and After,
The New Ships Wheel a bit posher than the old one!

25th October 2012 Teak Oiled Deck

Main Deck re-oiled

We managed to get the decks re-oiled whilst GP is blocked off, awaiting antifoul and drive leg service.

Step & Transom Oiled

Annual Lift 20th October 2012

GP is hoisted out at Drivers Boatyard Southampton

After 15 months afloat we took Greek Princess to Drivers Boatyard Northam Southampton for her annual lift and service, a break in the rain allowed a calm run up to Southampton. GP will be ashore for a month or so for some much needed TLC.

GP clears the water after 15 months afloaat

Gently does it!

Hull is not to bad

The crane swings GP to the dock

Sun in Lymington September 7th-9th

View from the dinner table on GP, Sunny and warm in September

Greek Princess in Lymington

T/T GP ready for the trip into Town

The Ships Glamorous cleaner

Sunset in the Haven




The long pontoon at Lymington Haven

The sun was shinning so we headed to Lymington for a long weekend, an unexpected warm spell in mid September was most welcomed. We headed of on Friday the 7th and returned on Sunday 9th.
We got the dinghy out and traveled into Lymington for shopping and dinner and the sun just kept shinning......