MUPE BAY 15/16 MAY 2016.
Many people were late getting in this year but the traditional trip to MUPE after the Cocktail Party cannot be allowed to founder. So Heatwave set out around 10:40 against neaps tides. There is an area of water about a mile long due north from the north entrance to Portland Harbour that seems to take about a knot off your progress nevertheless the crossing took about 2hrs 30mins. This time I decided to take Heatwave in with sails up but unsheeted so that I could get her anchored and settled before taking down the sails. I had the anchor ready on top of chain and line lying on the deck so I turned and stopped into wind and went forward to drop the hook midway between the beach and the Rock ledges. Good hold. I never reverse back just let everything settle and check the holding.
No one else here. What a magnificent place Mupe is as it transports you back 100 million years to the Jurassic epoc. I expect it was a lot warmer then.
Time to give Heatwave her customary clean off after coming out of Dock. The gulls have been busy leaving half eaten crab and fouling the decks. This is quickly removed but it is the algae that is difficult and requires a lot of scrubbing so I book that in for early Sunday. The sails are now stowed and its time for a well earned beer.
I look around and take some pics and notice quite a few boats down at the Worbarrow end. I later heard that Dark Star was there. What a shame we didnt meet up. With a shift to westerlies forecasted I thought Mupe would give a much calmer slot for the night. A few people who venture from Lulworth or the hardy cliff walkers come down to the beach to chill and enjoy the serenity of this pace. The chalk cliffs have change quite a lot since the first time I came here in 2014 with fresh falls. Mupe will turn into a huge version of Lulworth in time.
Its so quite that I put on the radio but keep the volume down. Could only pick up Heart FM. everything else is blocked including VHF and Mobiles. There's a bonus.
Below I tidy up. There are always jobs to do on a boat.
Time is getting on an I start to think about something nice and hot but as I turn to go below I notice a yacht coming in. Its Moonlight. Fantastic. It was a surprise as I never got an email from Bob. Later another two yachts joining us but they are not known. Finally a large power boat comes in but seems to be taking his time in getting anchored. So tea is put on hold for an while and I make prep to go and see Bob.
When Bob has settled in he and Louie I pop over to see them. Bobs asks me aboard but I dont like to get my tender near any boat now as the gel coat I put on it after the beating it got from mooring work has never set properly and it will mark. Bob says dont worry and takes my line. I want to let it out but Bob insists that I sit and relax. We have a beer together and I invite them over for dinner. It will be something hot but nowhere near the food Bob can prepare. I tell him whats on offer and he is ok with it. When I leave the stern looks like its been kissed with a set of big plump lips. I said it will come of with a bit of T cut and polish and I offer to help him next time he is down. Forget about it says Bob. You can see why Bob is the perfect guy to lead a team of fighting men.
As they say on Master Chef. Lets cook. This is the first tryout of the refurbished burners upgraded with high output "Go Outdoors" stoves. Can't get the label off the Burner as it is a thin sheet of aluminium. I use a cooker igniter to flash it up. Wow talk about light the fires. Going to have to watch this otherwise the food might turn from stewing stake to crispy beef or even carbonaira beef.
The food is on and we are cooking on gas but the burner has to be closed right down. A couple of times it went out but managed to get it under control
Now to find plates, cutlery and butter some baps. Heatwave being small is uncomfortable in all the twisting and turning but I am keeping things clean in plastic containers. I clear paraphernalia from the sitting areas.
I call Bob and he and Louie clamber into their tender. On arrival I wonder how Louie will get on board but Bob is well used to this and asks me to stand clear. He tells Louie to get on board. No problem and Louie knows me but I still leave him to do his own thing.
I get Bob a beer and we chat. I better take the food off. Louie stays in the Cockpit. Just as well as very little room and I was worried he would stick his paws through the vinyl seats. He's a good dog though. I will save him some food in a disposable tray.
Bob is now reaady to eat so I just flash the food up again and its piping hot. I save some for Louie in a plastic disposable tray but its too hot at the moment.
Bob did not complain about the food and he ate it so fast I offered him some from my plate as there was none left in the pot. He said; If there is none left I don't want to take yours away. I noted he hadn't eaten his bap so I gave it to him and he left a nice dry plate.
We got the kettle on and had a cuppa. It beginning to get dark so its time for Bob and Louie to get back but not before Louie has had his tray of food. He really enjoyed the fare which was Stewing Stake,Potatoes peas and carrots all in one pot. Lovely. We are still mates hey Louie!
I love the evenings sitting quietly in the RNSA Clubhouse where you can smoke and look up at the Stars in a dark sky place whilst enjoying a good bottle of buds. However even great things must pass and so its time to turn in. Not a good night. Although a westerly the rollers licked around the edge of the ledge of the Mupe rocks causing rolling but I have learnt to silence Heatwave well but I cannot stop the slapping of lines inside the mast no matter how tight I make them.
Sunday:
You just cant beat early sunny mornings in MUPE with the Sun creeping over the Tout. Early mist billows over the ridges and evapourates as it drops down the cliff side to the sea.
The sea is glassy with flotsam and reflections of the cliff face. The orangey yellow light of the sun clears the grey shadows and the cliffs on the western edge explode into colour.
The objective today was to get over to Arish Mel beach. Its early and Bob sleeps late so I don' t want to disturb him. I had sausages and a bap for breakfast then after a mug of tea I prepare for my adventure to Arish Mel beach. It doesn't look far and the Mariner is kicked into life. There are some really sharp rocks close to the white chalk cliff face which are submerged at HW springs but I set off with them still in view and with neaps they stay exposed.
Arish Mel is cut into the curve of Worbarrow bay and is the exit point of the pipe from Winfrith which served the nuclear reactor, now decommissioned. I go to the East end of Arish Mell as the hard Chalk cliffs look interesting and have what appears to be caves at the base. These turn out to be arches and the whole geological sequence is repeating all along this cost. In eons to come the sea will invade and this coast will be gone.
I now head for a landing and look for some finer grading of pebbles to minimize damage to my Tender. There are signs on the beach banks that I cant read from the water and a large military Tank just showing over the right ridge. I land and drag the tender up the beach and secure to large rock.
The sign says dont land on this beach. Too late. Why. Coast path runs through this area, whats the problem' the range is open. Then I understand. Arish Mel does not have the High hill protection that that rest of MUPE has and it could be a shell could end up on the beach. I tread carefully but I do want to look around and check out the pipe line beach head which is a large contract structure with a locked steel door.
The the left fresh water is flowing out to sea through the pebbles it is crystal clear.
I've seen all I need and it time to return. Heatwave looks a long way but it doesn't take too long. Bob is about now and it looks like Louie need a walk ashore. Hope Bob has a big poo bag.
I tell him that I shall depart around 12:00 as I have to get back to be ready to start Jury Service on Monday. Bob is staying until later and as I start to lift the anchor it jams. It seems to be caught. I put a line around around the chain and take it back to a winch but no matter how I try with a winch handle it wont free. So I' m left with a decision to cut the line and loose my Anchor. Its not something I want to do. Not because of a monetary issue but to me an anchor is a vital part to save a boat if all else fails.
Then I assess my situation. How much water do I have under me. About 20 feet. Check my position and estimate I have about three boats lengths to run past the anchor. Next how much slack will I need. Lets say one boats length. So I take off the winch line and let out about 22 feet of anchor line and tie it off. Engine on and bring the boat back until line taught. Neutral. Drop into forward and full throttle. Heatwave leaps up and gains speed heading straight for the anchor. I wait for the line to go taut and it does. The bow is pulled down sharp and stays for a couple of seconds but the boat shudders and the bow comes up. Free. Keep speed on to make the anchor fly clear of the bottom. Turn sharp to starboard into deep water. Ok for 10 seconds and speed is increasing. Then more shuddering as the anchor hits the floor but it breaks through and soon Heatwave is in safe deep water.
I turn off engine and go forward to get the anchor up. Clean and undamaged. I make a pass back to Moonlight to let Bob know things OK. This was a risk but considered low as all that I might loose would be the Anchor but I didn't this time!!!
A great trip.
No one else here. What a magnificent place Mupe is as it transports you back 100 million years to the Jurassic epoc. I expect it was a lot warmer then.
Time to give Heatwave her customary clean off after coming out of Dock. The gulls have been busy leaving half eaten crab and fouling the decks. This is quickly removed but it is the algae that is difficult and requires a lot of scrubbing so I book that in for early Sunday. The sails are now stowed and its time for a well earned beer.
I look around and take some pics and notice quite a few boats down at the Worbarrow end. I later heard that Dark Star was there. What a shame we didnt meet up. With a shift to westerlies forecasted I thought Mupe would give a much calmer slot for the night. A few people who venture from Lulworth or the hardy cliff walkers come down to the beach to chill and enjoy the serenity of this pace. The chalk cliffs have change quite a lot since the first time I came here in 2014 with fresh falls. Mupe will turn into a huge version of Lulworth in time.
Its so quite that I put on the radio but keep the volume down. Could only pick up Heart FM. everything else is blocked including VHF and Mobiles. There's a bonus.
Below I tidy up. There are always jobs to do on a boat.
Time is getting on an I start to think about something nice and hot but as I turn to go below I notice a yacht coming in. Its Moonlight. Fantastic. It was a surprise as I never got an email from Bob. Later another two yachts joining us but they are not known. Finally a large power boat comes in but seems to be taking his time in getting anchored. So tea is put on hold for an while and I make prep to go and see Bob.
When Bob has settled in he and Louie I pop over to see them. Bobs asks me aboard but I dont like to get my tender near any boat now as the gel coat I put on it after the beating it got from mooring work has never set properly and it will mark. Bob says dont worry and takes my line. I want to let it out but Bob insists that I sit and relax. We have a beer together and I invite them over for dinner. It will be something hot but nowhere near the food Bob can prepare. I tell him whats on offer and he is ok with it. When I leave the stern looks like its been kissed with a set of big plump lips. I said it will come of with a bit of T cut and polish and I offer to help him next time he is down. Forget about it says Bob. You can see why Bob is the perfect guy to lead a team of fighting men.
As they say on Master Chef. Lets cook. This is the first tryout of the refurbished burners upgraded with high output "Go Outdoors" stoves. Can't get the label off the Burner as it is a thin sheet of aluminium. I use a cooker igniter to flash it up. Wow talk about light the fires. Going to have to watch this otherwise the food might turn from stewing stake to crispy beef or even carbonaira beef.
The food is on and we are cooking on gas but the burner has to be closed right down. A couple of times it went out but managed to get it under control
Now to find plates, cutlery and butter some baps. Heatwave being small is uncomfortable in all the twisting and turning but I am keeping things clean in plastic containers. I clear paraphernalia from the sitting areas.
I call Bob and he and Louie clamber into their tender. On arrival I wonder how Louie will get on board but Bob is well used to this and asks me to stand clear. He tells Louie to get on board. No problem and Louie knows me but I still leave him to do his own thing.
I get Bob a beer and we chat. I better take the food off. Louie stays in the Cockpit. Just as well as very little room and I was worried he would stick his paws through the vinyl seats. He's a good dog though. I will save him some food in a disposable tray.
Bob is now reaady to eat so I just flash the food up again and its piping hot. I save some for Louie in a plastic disposable tray but its too hot at the moment.
Bob did not complain about the food and he ate it so fast I offered him some from my plate as there was none left in the pot. He said; If there is none left I don't want to take yours away. I noted he hadn't eaten his bap so I gave it to him and he left a nice dry plate.
We got the kettle on and had a cuppa. It beginning to get dark so its time for Bob and Louie to get back but not before Louie has had his tray of food. He really enjoyed the fare which was Stewing Stake,Potatoes peas and carrots all in one pot. Lovely. We are still mates hey Louie!
I love the evenings sitting quietly in the RNSA Clubhouse where you can smoke and look up at the Stars in a dark sky place whilst enjoying a good bottle of buds. However even great things must pass and so its time to turn in. Not a good night. Although a westerly the rollers licked around the edge of the ledge of the Mupe rocks causing rolling but I have learnt to silence Heatwave well but I cannot stop the slapping of lines inside the mast no matter how tight I make them.
Sunday:
You just cant beat early sunny mornings in MUPE with the Sun creeping over the Tout. Early mist billows over the ridges and evapourates as it drops down the cliff side to the sea.
The sea is glassy with flotsam and reflections of the cliff face. The orangey yellow light of the sun clears the grey shadows and the cliffs on the western edge explode into colour.
The objective today was to get over to Arish Mel beach. Its early and Bob sleeps late so I don' t want to disturb him. I had sausages and a bap for breakfast then after a mug of tea I prepare for my adventure to Arish Mel beach. It doesn't look far and the Mariner is kicked into life. There are some really sharp rocks close to the white chalk cliff face which are submerged at HW springs but I set off with them still in view and with neaps they stay exposed.
Arish Mel is cut into the curve of Worbarrow bay and is the exit point of the pipe from Winfrith which served the nuclear reactor, now decommissioned. I go to the East end of Arish Mell as the hard Chalk cliffs look interesting and have what appears to be caves at the base. These turn out to be arches and the whole geological sequence is repeating all along this cost. In eons to come the sea will invade and this coast will be gone.
I now head for a landing and look for some finer grading of pebbles to minimize damage to my Tender. There are signs on the beach banks that I cant read from the water and a large military Tank just showing over the right ridge. I land and drag the tender up the beach and secure to large rock.
The sign says dont land on this beach. Too late. Why. Coast path runs through this area, whats the problem' the range is open. Then I understand. Arish Mel does not have the High hill protection that that rest of MUPE has and it could be a shell could end up on the beach. I tread carefully but I do want to look around and check out the pipe line beach head which is a large contract structure with a locked steel door.
The the left fresh water is flowing out to sea through the pebbles it is crystal clear.
I've seen all I need and it time to return. Heatwave looks a long way but it doesn't take too long. Bob is about now and it looks like Louie need a walk ashore. Hope Bob has a big poo bag.
I tell him that I shall depart around 12:00 as I have to get back to be ready to start Jury Service on Monday. Bob is staying until later and as I start to lift the anchor it jams. It seems to be caught. I put a line around around the chain and take it back to a winch but no matter how I try with a winch handle it wont free. So I' m left with a decision to cut the line and loose my Anchor. Its not something I want to do. Not because of a monetary issue but to me an anchor is a vital part to save a boat if all else fails.
Then I assess my situation. How much water do I have under me. About 20 feet. Check my position and estimate I have about three boats lengths to run past the anchor. Next how much slack will I need. Lets say one boats length. So I take off the winch line and let out about 22 feet of anchor line and tie it off. Engine on and bring the boat back until line taught. Neutral. Drop into forward and full throttle. Heatwave leaps up and gains speed heading straight for the anchor. I wait for the line to go taut and it does. The bow is pulled down sharp and stays for a couple of seconds but the boat shudders and the bow comes up. Free. Keep speed on to make the anchor fly clear of the bottom. Turn sharp to starboard into deep water. Ok for 10 seconds and speed is increasing. Then more shuddering as the anchor hits the floor but it breaks through and soon Heatwave is in safe deep water.
I turn off engine and go forward to get the anchor up. Clean and undamaged. I make a pass back to Moonlight to let Bob know things OK. This was a risk but considered low as all that I might loose would be the Anchor but I didn't this time!!!
A great trip.
