Coddy Posted May 18, 2011 Report Share Posted May 18, 2011 Both John and I were Alderney virgins, so we were both interested in how, why and what went & goes on during a trip across. We were all packed and loaded and set off from Cobbs at approx 7.30am on Thursday full of anticipation. Unfortunately John had done something to his back and unknown to me was suffering before we set off. We were due to meet Serenity and Awol around the harbour entrance or swash area. As been said on other reports the sea state was a bit rougher than expected and in fact we did not meet up with anyone but did make contact via radio. John had made a route on the plotter to Alderney so it was just a matter of trying to follow it! After arriving in Braye, we tied up to a mooring and sat and had a coffee, we did try having a coffee on route but most went over the floor! Later we had a fish around the harbour entrance and John managed small pollack & mackerel and I pulled in a beautiful male cuckoo wrasse. It must have been a good 2lb+ but I did not weigh it, only to be told later that it would have broken the club record! Weigh every fish from now on David! Back to the mooring and get ready for the evenings meal. Friday We followed Awol, Three Boys & Serenity out to the Schole bank, we watched in interest as Awol and then Three Boys hit the Swinge! It was our turn and I have seen some standing waves but this was something else We had a wall of water straight over the front of the boat and up and over the canvas roof and cascade down onto the deck which was soon awash. Fortunately John's boat has scuppers so it quickly drained out but very interesting at 5-8kts! Down on the bank we soon managed to catch some launce but found it frustrating not getting any bites. Charlie suggested letting more line out and blow me on the next drift at almost the same time both John & I caught our first Turbots. Tried more drifts, John by now getting an expert to drift in the same or similar direction, but nothing. Did manage a Red Gurnard and a Lesser Weaver however. Back on the mooring to get ready for the meal at the Moorings Saturday John was not good by now and in fact his back locked out when trying to put his socks on. We said to the others that we might come around the back of the Island later depending how John felt. We had a coffee or two and John managed to get out on deck and I wanted to rest his back but he insisted we go fishing so we headed out Eastwards, fortunately it was almost slack water so it was relatively calm and we dropped anchor in a calm little bay but did not catch anything so after a while we upped anchor and drifted whilst having lunch sitting in the sun with a line out. We decided to head back to the harbour early and saw Joint Venture drifting so we had a go but again did not manage to hook up to anything, so headed back to the harbour. We got ready for the big meal of the week-end and had drinks on the terrace Sunday We were part of the second wave of boats heading home but due to the sea conditions and johns back we did not go as fast as the others so it was a slow run home. We left Braye at 09.30 and walked off Cobbs pontoon at 5.00pm A great time was had and it was a shame John's back did not allow him to enjoy the trip to the full but we both felt it was worthwhile and vowed to return sometime. Thanks again to John for a great trip and what a superb craft Rosie One is for such a trip, not once did I feel concerned. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coddy Posted May 18, 2011 Author Report Share Posted May 18, 2011 Some more shots of our boats in the harbour and howard bound. Three Boys Serenity Awol Alfresco Awol homeward Abode Homeward Bound Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam F Posted May 19, 2011 Report Share Posted May 19, 2011 Thanks for the report Dave, great piccies too. Well done on popping your Alderney cherry! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duncan Posted May 19, 2011 Report Share Posted May 19, 2011 another interesting report with new angles on some aspects. certainly looks like the social side of things went well this trip - should have left the airwaves a little quieter during the afternoons this time.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gas Posted May 19, 2011 Report Share Posted May 19, 2011 Great report Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Posted May 19, 2011 Report Share Posted May 19, 2011 Jolly well done Dave & john. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Posted May 19, 2011 Report Share Posted May 19, 2011 Well done Dave and John, Just remember, don't be afraid to ask if you are not sure what \ why things are happening, what boats and crews are doing. As you will have seen, some boats fish early until late and other have a more relaxed approach (and have a break \ holiday!). There is so much information \ many things going on for a first trip, just being crew is bad enough! Let alone a first time skipper and crew, next time will have more time \ a clearer idea in your mind of what you want to do. Many of the decisions are last minute and decided on the fly, Adam may ask us what do we want to do "now"? "Stick or twist" (another good boat name)!! So decision made quickly and we could be up and off on Plan C,D or E!!! Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
great white Posted May 19, 2011 Report Share Posted May 19, 2011 Nice report and pictures Dave Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
niggle Posted May 19, 2011 Report Share Posted May 19, 2011 Well done to you both ,for losing your Alderney cherries together Nige Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted May 19, 2011 Report Share Posted May 19, 2011 And the caption for the photo of free boys should read ( you beep beep tent why wont you go beeping beep beeping beep back in your case) so i stuffed it up front to have a cup of tea- i believe there was a similar occurence on joint venture involving a scoreboard! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Posted May 19, 2011 Report Share Posted May 19, 2011 And the caption for the photo of free boys should read ( you beep beep tent why wont you go beeping beep beeping beep back in your case) so i stuffed it up front to have a cup of tea- i believe there was a similar occurence on joint venture involving a scoreboard! But a gull swopped down and ate the scoreboard, never to be seen again, honest!!! I didn't believe him either! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam F Posted May 20, 2011 Report Share Posted May 20, 2011 Lies, all lies I tell you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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