Update 6 Jan 2020

I set off at 19.00 from Lowestoft with a good forecast and Cherbourg as my destination. All going well with a good westerly that was forecast to go round to the NE. However it became more SW as the night wore on and when I got abeam of Harwich the wind had increased to 20 Kts. 

Over the VHF radio, the Coastguard then issued an imminent gale warning for my area. I carried on for another hour but when the warning was repeated I decided to head back for shelter in Southwold. 

The next day the forecast changed so much and there is now going to be strong to gale force head winds for the next two weeks.

On reflection, I've decided to delay my start to mid August. I'll get down to the Canaries by November and do the big leg to the Caribbean in December. This is the best time in the year for this crossing and I should be able to be in contact with other yachts doing the same route at this time.

20 December 2019

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

In late December 2017 I was diagnosed with bowel cancer and following lots of tests, at the end of Feb 2018, I had surgery to remove my colon together with the associated blood vessels and Lymph nodes. It was performed by keyhole surgery and the operation took 9 hours. There were 3 surgeons and many other staff to complete such a long operation. Within 4 days though I was home again  and I have just been given the all clear. I just have to have blood tests , MRI scans and colonoscopies every 6 months for another 3 years to make sure the tumour doesn't return.

The treatment I had was terrific and all carried out by the NHS. To show my appreciation I would like to raise some money for the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital as a whole as my treatment involved so many departments; Oncology, Haematology, Radiology, Surgery and Dilham recovery ward. All of the staff and the facilities were amazing and I am deeply grateful.

I  have crossed the Atlantic twice before from west to east and now want to complete a "circuit" by sailing from the UK back to the Caribbean. I intend to set out from Lowestoft on 8th Jan 2020 and sail down to the Canaries by the end of January. I will only spend a few days there before sailing to Antigua, hoping to arrive at the end of February.

The boat is a 1985 Hunter 34 that I bought in Chicago in 2006 and sailed to the UK in 2007. It has radar, AIS, SSB radio, Pactor modem and autopilot steering. It has a 20hp diesel engine and a 400w wind turbine. 

I hope you will sponsor me in my attempt to raise money for the N&N.

My progress can be followed on 

https://winlink.org/userPositions

and enter my radio call sign M0EAZ ( Mike Zero Echo Alpha Zulu ) in the top left corner of the chart window.

Roger Moorhouse has kindly offered to relay messages. Over the radio I can only receive short basic messages. Email him on :rogermoorhouse@btinternet.com

I also hope to update this page with photos and details of my voyage as I progress.
 

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