Admirals Cruise 2018

Admirals Cruise out into the Thames Estuary.

May Bank Holiday

Just completed a great weekend on the boat, boarded on Friday and headed for our cruising club at Rochester where we moored up for 48 hours. During that time we visited the Sweeps Festival, enjoyed the delights of the food and drink in the club house and generally chilled on the water. Had a boat load of visitors on Saturday afternoon, our granddaughters boyfriend's family plus a few visiting boat owners who admired our boat.

Our granddaughter joined us on Sunday morning for Sunday dinner in the club and remained with us on the boat when we headed back to Chatham in the afternoon. Finished the day with drinks & nibbles on our mooring neighbours 60' motor cruiser.

Returned home a bit tired but happy on Monday.

Shakedown Cruise

Finally got the  boat out yesterday for it's 2018 shakedown cruise after the winter lay up. Not the best of days weather wise with a very dull, overcast day but there was no wind so we had a flat sea to test out the boat systems and engines.

Good to be back on the water after what feels like a very long winter break.

Ready and Waiting

With a brief lull in the cold weather we managed to spend a very pleasant afternoon yesterday scrubbing off the weathers grim on the boat. Also had the pleasure of having a tour around 'Odd Daisy', our new mooring neighbour, my Andy, the owner. One of the biggest vessels currently in the marina she is being refitted for her voyage to the Med latter in the year.

'Kevayling' is now clean and looks as she should, a much cared for, shinny boat.

Ready and waiting for her first trip out this year.

Late Winter Chill

So we thought winter had passed after the beast from the east had dumped a couple of feet of snow to us in the first few days of March. How wrong were we, today the mini beast from the east caused the temperature to drop some 12 degrees over night and now we have snow and bitter winds once again!

Just when we were planning to get the boat out for its first run of the season I have to go back to the marina and put the engine heaters back on.

Let's hope this is it for the year.

Let Spring Begin

Now that the Beast from the East has passed and storm Emma has blown herself out we can get on with Spring Time. Let the cruising season begin!

Beast From The East

The weather men promised that the weather system moving in from the east would bring cold winds and snow and boy were they correct. Between 7" to 8" of snow has fallen over the last few days and now the wind has increased bringing the day time temperature down to -4c.

Managed to dig the car out and get to Chatham Marina and check out the boat, took the opportunity of increasing the engine heater on time to 18 hours a day. Nice comparison photo below of the marina in Summer & Winter!

Maidstone 28/02/2018

Summer

Winter

First Startup of 2018

Took the opportunity of popping up to the marina on Thursday and checked the boat out.

I had plenty of time on my hands so decided to turn on all the systems and run up the engines. Both engines fired up on the first spin although the starboard engine needed the help of the battery cross-over switch due to a low power reading on the dashboard.

Left both engines running until working temperature reached then switch off and carried out a check. All well.

Keeping Fit

Well a week ago Annette & I signed up to our local hotel gym. We did use PayAsUGym passes but found it would be more economic to actually become members.

In our first 7 days we have notched up 3 swimming sessions. Working hard to maintain the use of my left leg and strengthen my back thus avoiding that day when my spine fails to take the strain again.

Also like the other benefits of being a member like the steam room,  sauna and maybe in the future, the gym.

Birthday Buffet

Busy weekend celebrating my wife's birthday, finishing with a Sunday lunch at our favourite Indian restaurant. 

Loved by everyone, and me, she recieved lots of cards and gifts. Nice to spoil her and chance to take the family out to lunch.

Now For Something Completely Different

Finally finished a Christmas present from my wife, a special model for my small collection of an anti-tank gun used by my granddad's regiment late in the war.

I was in two minds about adding the figures but decided to see what it looked like with a crew. Good choice as they add something to the model.

Now to decide on the base?

Back Again - A New Beginning

Well, would you believe it I found my old blog site by accident today while assisting a friend in searching for a blog site to use for his forthcoming trip.

So this time I'm going to try and keep a regular blog of our activities for 2018, now that we are mooring in Chatham Marina and also members of Rochester Cruising Club.

Let's say it's a new years resolution!

Back after a long break

Do you know I had forgotten all about this blog page until I came across it again recently. After a bit of thought I have decided to have another go at keeping an online blog, most probably not just about our adventures on-board 'Kevayling' but life in General.

Who knows I might stick at it this time!

4th April 2015

Date: 4 April 2015

Departure Port: Allington Marina Departure Time: 13:45 Departure Port Location: 27 Castle Dene, Maidstone ME14 2NH, UK Destination Port: Rochester Destination Arrival Time: 15:28 Destination Port Location: 7 Esplanade, Rochester ME1, UK

Sky State: Partly Cloudy Preciptation: Dry Wind Direction: NW Sea State: Smooth 0.1-0.5m Temperature (c): 15c Pressure (mb): 1010mb

Engine Hours: 2 Trip Distance (nm): 10.1 Total Trip Time (hrs): 1.72 Total Trip Time (mins): 103 Fuel Usage (litres): 15.78 Fuel Added: 0 L Fuel Remaining: -15.78

Crew Names: Ray, Annette
Cruise Notes: Easter cruise to Rochester C.C for a one night stay.

... and so the 2015 season begins

Finally got 'Kevayling' out of the marina today on our first cruise of the season, we have been stuck at our berth due to the horrible weather over the past few weeks.

We cruised up to Maidstone and back via the Malta Inn at Allington Lock, all systems were tested and found to be functioning well. Nothing else on the water today but with Easter in a few days time lets hope that we see a few boats out soon.

Feels good to be back on the water!

Seasons End

October is finally upon us and looks like the end of the 2014 boating season for the River Medway is coming to a close. A large amount of boats have already been lifted out for the winter lay-up and the marina is taking on it winter coat with not to much activity around. Although, at this time, the weather has taken a turn for the better the winds are picking up and the temperatures will soon begin to fall. 

With the short cruise taken on Saturday 19th October it means we have been able to use our boat for seven months this year which is good going for British weather. We have had a quiet year generally on the water and haven't cruised as far as we might have liked, being slightly restricted with the on going saga of my back issue. Seriously hope that by next year we will have got this under better control and we are able to get up the East coast and Thames again.

What we have done has of course been fun, as always, with good company when in a flotilla. 

Here's hoping for a quiet winter and better flood control on the Medway after last winters terrible floods.

Total cruise distance: 257 nm.

Total engine time:       59hr 44min

See you in the 2015 Log Book!  Click here to view 'Kevayling' log book.