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The fitout was completed on the 15th July 2005, and we immediately sailed for St Katherine's Dock, London.  Skippered by Master Mariner, Tommi Nielsen, with Mark Yarworth, our admirable electrician as Chief Engineer.  Myself and stewardess Emma Hughes acting as competent crew. Whilst we waited to sail, Emma had attended the Workman Marine School RYA accredited at Portishead Marina, and had gained an International Certificate of Competence with the French CEVNI qualification.

Ready to sail from Gloucester Docks!

Nielsen's Office Manager Pat Blake and Accountant John Pearce surrounded by YTS lads, including Ben on right.

Emma Hughes prepares for rough sea's!

Lulu, sporting her St Tropez cut, is not coming on the Sea Trip.
Erin and Lulu are banged up in the local kennels.

Barney poses in his shades, whilst Danny Moss
photographs his own handiwork.

The admirable Yacht Designer and Shipwright, Halli Barber who supervised the final months of our fitout.  Many thanks Halli!

Pursuing the Navy down the Sharpness Canal. John Pearce looks over Tommi's shoulder!

We went down the Sharpness Canal in convoy with HMS Charger and HMS Biter.  We were flattered to be included in their Bridge call ups..ie Charger, Biter, and Saul Nomad here.  Maybe we should reregister as "Prince of Wales".

We came across a severe wind over tide condition as we left the Severn Bridges. We sheltered in Portishead Marina for a tide, and set off on night passage to Padstow at 22.00 hrs.

The waters of the Bristol Channel the next morning are bluer and calmer.

Just after dawn, Tommi sails on through Rocky Waters, comfortable in the knowledge that Emma is on top of the chartwork!

We  moored in the Inner Harbour in Padstow, where we were due to pick up our Film Crew.

Mark Yarworth relaxed during a glorious afternoon.

The wheelhouse is now operational.

The Padstow Harbour Master's Dog "Rocky" who appears like lightening when you shout "Ropes". He catches them and takes them to a bollard!  Just testing this time "Rocky", sorry!

Lunch from Rick Stein's Fish and Chips Shop. Really good! Then we sailed.

Padstow and Rock occupies a busy little estuary.

...with some people in more than a hurry than others!

We passed the Longships effortlessly.  However within hours the weather worsened and by the time we were coming up to the Eddystone Rocks we had winds gusting to Force 5. This is too much for a Flat Bottomed Barge, even though we were hardly affected because the wind was astern.  We had to round Portland Bill and the Shambles to get into Weymouth Harbour. This we achieved comfortably and Docked at 18.00 hours on the 17th July 2005.

The Weymouth Life Boat has had calls out each day we have been moored here...right opposite her!  21st July 2005.  We wait patiently for the wind to drop, then we can proceed to London.

Weymouth has been a trading haven for four thousand years. The inner harbour offers mooring for around 1000 craft.  Boats come and go in a constant stream!     22/7/05  winds are beginning to settle, so we should be clear to sail over the weekend.

Tommi's folding ruler.  Its side line in removing Carlsberg Export Bottle caps over the years, has shortened it's length!

A speedy journey from Weymouth...a 12 knot night passage through the Solent..a night anchorage off Southend Pier...and a leisurely flood tide brought us to the entrance of St Katherine's Haven on Wednesday 27th July 2005. Tower Bridge marks the spot. We had to wait 45 minutes stemming the tide awaiting our turn to enter the dock..interesting in this spot where high speed water taxi's appear from all directions.

Sunday 31st July our idyllic mooring in the haven. On the right is a Motor Yacht formerly owned by the famed Franch Singer Edith Piaf. "Non, Je ne regrette rien!"  Built in 1938 the "Flamant Rose" (The Pink Flamingo) is where the "Little Sparrow" did a regular twelve rounds with her French Champion Boxer Lover, Marcel Cerdan. "La Vie en Rose"? Sounds like it!

Valerie and James are the proud owners of this historic vessel.

Cooer!!  Feel like singing yet?

"Ok Mr  Sun, we are ready for you!"

The wheelhouse business end.

An excellent spot for relaxing or entertaining.

The Skipper's cabin is a cozy little bolthole!

The Saloon has reverted to a more relaxed lay out in port.  At sea there was nothing out on the worksurfaces, and everything too big to put away was lashed away.