We spent a lot of time yesterday checking different weather forecasts, as usual they were all different! We decided that we had a weather window in the morning, providing we got up early enough. We had until about 11am to get into Brighton, considering it was only about 16 miles away we thought if we left around 8am we should be fine. We awoke to the sound of rain on the roof, an alien sound these days, we have have had rain only once during our trip when we were travelling from Wallasea island to cross the Thames. It didn't look good! There were bands of black skies above us but they looked mainly to be inland so we got diesel and locked out at 8am. The rain began to fall whilst we were in the lock but didn't last. We followed a fishing boat, which was away immediately, and a sailing boat motoring along without sail. Once out at sea it was reasonably calm but again eerily rolly, so far this has been a sign of bad seas to come, this time was not much different. Our aim was to head for Brighton however Newhaven was always an option if the weather blew up. We were both apprehensive, the sea didn't feel good and seemed to alter state often. We were only managing to pull about 5 knots so the going was painfully slow and we were more than aware of our weather window. As we approached the lighthouse at Beachy head the weather closed in. It was almost impossible to see where we were heading for, our stress levels began to rise, we didn't really say much apart from "Newhaven?" "Yes". We were about 6 miles away from Newhaven travelling about 5 knots, it would have been quicker to swim to shore and walk, but we persevered. The rain came down and the ferry leaving Newhaven didn't help the situation, even though it had left the area some time ago the wash was pretty strong. I kept looking back to see if the sailing boat we came out with was still with us, it was, I don't know where they were heading for but I hope they had a safe journey. We arrived at the Harbour and requested permission to enter, we are moored up at Newhaven marina and may not move now until after the weekend. It's not quite Brighton but it's a much better option than repeating our mistake of last Monday when we had the option of going in at Dover and didn't!
Newhaven is maybe a little like Goole in places but we have already found a great pub called The Ark and a place to buy locally caught fish really cheap! If we have to stay here a while it might not be so bad - maybe we can touch up a few of those rusty bits!!
Stay posted!
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