Bonjour mes amis – greeting from Boulogne! My first entry into a French Port and after crossing the busiest shipping channel in the World! I thought the ferry business was dead (between England and the North French Coast – but apparently not).. As we brushed past Dover, about to start our transit over the Shipping Motorway (properly called – TSS – Traffic Separation Scheme) we encountered a gaggle of ferries (no idea what the collective noun is) coming out of or going into the port of Dover. I had confidently predicted things would be quiet until we turned to cross the channel – wrong! Anyway – we dealt with is and then crossed over the channel and over to La Belle France! We only had one ship call us up to let us know that he intended to “maintain HIS speed and course” (so stay out of his way) and we had a Coaster make a dramatic gesture of turning hard to go behind (or astern of) us (he didn’t need to or have to – but he did).

I have to say we did the journey from Chatham to Boulogne in record time – but without single puff of wind and so we had the motor the entire way. Not what we planned or wanted – but it was either that or we sat in Chatham for a couple of extra days – not a serious option – not in Chatham.

So here we are on Sunday morning after a night in the visitors Marina in Boulogne and a dinner of home made meat balls in a spicy Pesto and Tomato Sauce with Spaghetti – made by my own hand and all washed down with a couple of bottles of – Spanish Red (yes I know – but it was what we had and no-one felt like heading out to find a shop to buy local).

Now – a word about the boat we’re sailing. She’s what one might called gently aged! She is also what one might call – WET! While I cooked last night, our training skipper for this leg, Steve Ellis, emptied 10 full buckets out of the various bilges. Some of that was there when we got on and some came on board to join us as we came over. It’s not unusual for older boats to have water lying in their bilges and that’s what you have pumps for – but this seemed a little excessive and we don’t know whether most of it came from the last trip where they encounter significant rain and arrived into the Marina at 2.00 in the morning exhausted – but she had been there for the whole of last week and no-one thought to dry her out properly.. Steve isn’t pleased! Neither am I – because everything felt damp – but after the grand emptying last night and a night with all of the hatches open – she fells like a completely different boat. If you’re interested – she is an older Bavaria (hence the Bavaria Logo’s at the top of this page), built when Bavaria were less of a production builder.. She was built in 1999 and she raced the Fastnet that year. She is 46 feet in length (LOA) and just over 15 feet in breadth (beam).. I am told she sails very swell especially in strong winds! Hopefully we will see later this week and especially as we recross the channel on Thursday night bound for Southampton.

That’s it from me and Boulogne for now – I still intend to share some thoughts on the Port of Ramsgate at some point – it’s folks seem quite “interesting” – but that will have to come a little later!

Pip pip,
N

These two photos are of pretty much the same view. I took the second one this morning while moored up in Queenborough having breakfast after a very early start from Harty Ferry (3.45am)! Now let’s say you were drawn into coming here if you just saw the first one – and then how would you feel if you arrived during the day and found the second one! It’s a thought!

We overnighted in Ramsgate Harbor – more to come on Ramsgate a little later on a seperate page. As long as we don’t do anything stupid today – tomorrow we will emerge as an RYA qualified Coastal Skipper – and then we will be off to sea properly. The Theory Exams are done (and passed – quite well actually). Below is a photo (if it will upload – if not go on Google and find one for yourself – Wolverstone Marina!) from our anchorage the night before last. While only a few miles down from Ipswich – it was a beautiful River (The Orwell) and the area was outstandingly rural and beautiful. We ate at a “splendid” riverside inn (what a Joly place this!) called the But and Oyster. Pip pip!

This is taken from Queenborough on the Isle of Sheppy – right off the Thames Estuary at the mouth of the Medway. Not a place to spend a lot of time – but at sunset – anything can look glorious! 

The last day ashore – and the weather is wonderful – after 7 days of winter like stuff! A grand photo of London this morning! More stuff over on the other page (see menu at the top)

In mid September of last year I let go of my corporate gig as CEO of TGI Friday’s based in Dallas and started to pursue some alternative goals. I wanted to spend some time at home supporting the family, to organize my darling daughter’s wedding (April 30th 2016) and then to go on an extended sail and get my Yacht Masters Ticket. I’ve kept some “serious” work going – s seat on a publicly traded company board (Spirit Reality Capital – which I love – chairing the Governence and Nominations Committee), some advisory positions and a fledgling small family investment business (couldn’t be a worse time to stand back from this one!).

Of course we never really know what the future might hold, but I’m pretty sure I will go back to work doing something when this is done (its over by the end of August 2016). However – I have no idea what this experience will do to me! My sailing adventure includes a 7 week circumnavigation of Great Britain – and I imagine that will allow me time to reflect and Contemplate. I enjoy contemplation – but usually it ends in action – significant and fast paced action. We’ll see. The fun in life comes from marrying intellectual challenges to doing real work (if you call managing change through leadership – real work). I will need some real work if I’m not going to drive myself and everyone else in my world completely mad!

So here is a journal of what I’m up to. I’ll try and share both a diary of activity with some thoughts and observations. I’m not a writer – so excuse the words (and the spelling and grammar).

Here we go from CEO last year to SeaEO this year!