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Phil fishing from Ravensdale's foredeck on the Solway Firth in Cumbria, UK |
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Ruby helping me write my blog |
This week we had our first successful fishing trips in months with Phil catching two good-sized bull huss, which are members of the shark family.
We took Ravensdale – our 43ft Neptunus 133 motor cruiser – out onto the Solway Firth in Cumbria, UK, on two consecutive days.
And, on the second day, we actually got to eat one of the fish Phil caught that day.
She isn’t really as much help when it comes to writing my blog though as she keeps trying to grab my mouse hand to get me to play with her or give her a cuddle instead of typing.
When she realises that’s not going to happen, she cuddles up beside me and sleeps while waiting for me finish, which is so cute 😊
Monday's fishing trip
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Calm conditions at Maryport Marina as we left on Monday morning |
Good weather over the early May Bank Holiday weekend encouraged a number of berth holders here at Maryport to take their boats out onto the Solway Firth on Sunday.
However, we decided to wait until the following day as the forecast was for even calmer conditions.
As usual, I packed all the loose stuff inside the boat into two collapsible crates while Phil sorted the engine room and mooring ropes. He also popped to the Aquarium to get some extra fishing bait.
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Ravensdale leaving Maryport and heading towards Allonby Bay |
It was considerably bumpier than we’d expected as we left the basin and headed out between the two piers, but we decided to anchor in Allonby Bay and see what it was like at anchor.
Phil set up four fishing rods – two uptide rods to either side and two downtiders from Ravensdale’s stern.
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Phil casting one of his uptide rods from Ravensdale's aft deck |
Meanwhile, I poured us a mug of tea then went to let Ruby out of her cage, which is where she goes while Ravensdale is underway, and took her out on deck.
She was fascinated by the fishing beads that she could see through the clear plastic lid of his fishing tackle box as she could see them rolling around due to the motion of the boat, but she couldn’t get to them.
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Ruby watching the beads in Phil's tackle box |
The boat was rocking more than we would have liked but the weather was lovely.
Soon after he started fishing, Phil hooked a big bull huss.
He called to me to get the landing net, but it was difficult to get as the string on the handle that's supposed to go around my wrist to stop us losing it overboard got caught up and it took me a while to free it.
I tried to get it under the monster fish from the port side of the aft deck, but the tide was taking it the other way so I moved around to the other side of Phil in the hope that the tide would help to carry it into the net.
It wasn’t working as I couldn’t get the net low enough, so Phil got me to hold the rod while he tried to manoeuvre the net into position, however, as we swapped over, the giant fish got away.
When Phil pulled the line in, there was a small whiting on the hook, so it seems the whiting took the bait and the huss went for the whiting.
To say we were both devastated about losing the huss would be the understatement of the century ☹
Not only was I sad for Phil but also disappointed that I hadn’t even taken a photo of it.
I decided I had to go for the net first, rather than my camera, as he’d lost a big smooth-hound that way last year and I wasn’t going to be the cause of him losing this one for the same reason.
We couldn’t believe we’d lost it, but at least it meant there were big fish out there just waiting to be caught, so we decided to put up with the bumpy conditions and carry on fishing.
Phil was pulling in dogfish, which he would rather not have caught, and a small codling, which was under the 35cm size limit for keeping so it was returned to the water.
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The small codling Phil caught on this trip |
We ate our lunch inside Ravensdale, but Phil left his rods out and kept an eye on them from indoors until he'd finished then went out to carry on fishing.
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My view of Scotland from the galley window while I was washing up |
I was washing up in the galley after lunch when he called through the door that he had another big fish on the line, so I dived outside to help him.
This one was on the uptide rod on the starboard side.
I grabbed the landing net and we took the rod and net forward along the gunwale, where we were a bit closer to the water. This time, between us, we managed to get the fish in the net and bring the big bull huss on board.
Phil removed the hook and I took a few photos.
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Phil with the 40-inch bull huss |
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I asked the fish to open its mouth and... |
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...this is what happened 😊 |
It wasn’t as big as the one that had got away, but it was still an impressive catch and it even smiled for the camera 😊
We couldn’t weigh it as we couldn’t find the fishing scales, so I measured it instead and it was 40ins long.
He returned it to the water and carried on fishing.
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Ruby watching Phil bait a hook |
And, just as it was almost time to pack up and head back to Maryport before the marina gate was due to close, we lost another big huss as we tried to net it but went home happy with the huss he did catch.
It was the first huss he’d caught from Ravensdale.
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Homeward bound! Ravensdale on the way back to Maryport |
We got back to the marina at around 2.50pm after almost four hours out on the water during which time we travelled 6.9 nautical miles.
The forecast had been for mid-single figures, but we later discovered it had been 8-13mph while we were out on the Solway hence the bumpy ride.
I left all the stuff I’d packed up inside in crates just in case we decided to go again the following day but thought it unlikely as, although it was going to be calm, the forecast was for rain, which didn’t appeal at all.
One of the great things about being retired is that we don’t have to go out on Ravensdale in bad weather as, unlike folk who have to fit in their boating around work, we can go any day that the conditions are right.
Tuesday’s fishing trip
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Ravensdale heading out of Maryport basin onto the Solway Firth |
We awoke to dry, bright and calm conditions on Tuesday morning, but the forecast still included rain during the time we would be out on the water.
We decided not to bother, but it hadn’t started raining by the time the marina gate was due to open so we made a last-minute decision to go fishing again.
I didn’t have much to do by way of preparation – just strapping down the freezer and microwave, making a flask of tea and packing away the few things we’d dug out of the crates overnight.
Phil did his preparations as quickly as possible and we were ready to go in less than 15 minutes.
We left the marina at 11.55am and headed out onto the Solway Firth.
We saw three commercial fishing boats from Maryport returning on our way out, but only one, Sincerity, came close enough to us for me to photograph it.
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Sincerity on her way home to Maryport |
The firth was much calmer than it had been the previous day and we had a very smooth ride down to Allonby Bay where we anchored in the same spot.
There were heavy clouds in the sky and it was obviously raining all around most of the time we were out on the water, but thankfully we didn’t get any rain where we were.
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Rain clouds ahead on our way to Allonby Bay |
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Storm clouds over the coast while we were at anchor |
Phil had four rods out on the aft deck and was bringing in fish a lot of the time we were out, including another nice huss, two codling – the biggest being about 30cm – a dab, a small whiting and the inevitable dogfish.
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The codling Phil caught on this trip |
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The dab Phil caught on this trip |
He also tried spinning from the foredeck for a while but that proved unsuccessful.
At one point, Phil went to pull in the line because he had a bite and saw it had a dogfish on it.
He was about to curse the dogfish when we saw that it was being followed by a big huss so waited and watched as the dogfish swam off and the huss took the bait.
This was the huss he caught on this trip. It measured 36ins and weighed 8.47lb so the one he caught the previous day must have weighed more than 10lb.
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Phil with 8.47lb bull huss he caught on this trip |
We decided to keep this one so we could find out whether they’re good to eat.
Disappointingly, he lost what we think must have been two more big huss or maybe large tope – another member of the shark family.
The first pulled the stainless-steel rod holder right over from vertical to horizontal even though we thought it was securely fixed. Fortunately, the rod was held into the holder with a bungee, which presumably helped to stop it disappearing over the side.
Phil grabbed the rod and could hardly hold it because the fish was pulling so hard. I dived to get the landing net, but before Phil could reel the fish in it bit through the line and disappeared.
He changed the line on that rod for a heavier one.
The same thing happened a bit later on another rod so he’s going to make sure he has 50lb traces on all his lines next time he goes fishing.
Ruby spent most of the time we were out on the Solway up on deck with us again and was really helpful cleaning up any fish juice and debris from Phil’s bait that got on the deck, the aft lockers or his fishing boxes 😊
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Ruby cleaning up one of Phil's tackle boxes |
We ate our lunch out on deck - including Ruby - as it was really calm and the weather was fine.
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Me enjoying being out on the water on Ravensdale |
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A barrel jellyfish that swam past Ravensdale |
We also saw a large barrel jellyfish. I tried to get a photo of it, but it was really too far away and the light was reflecting on the water.
We returned to the marina at 3.55pm after four hours out on the water during which time we travelled 7.3 nautical miles.
Phil skinned and filleted the huss on our return and cooked it in batter for a fish and chip supper.
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Huss, chips and peas |
It tasted OK, but I have to say that I prefer cod or haddock. That said, it was nice to actually get to eat something he’d caught for a change 😊
Ruby of Ravensdale
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Ruby admiring the view from Ravensdale's foredeck on the Solway Firth |
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Ruby on Ravensdale's aft deck |
Ruby seems to be taking trips out on Ravensdale in her stride, which is not really surprising as they’ve been fairly regular occurrences since she came to live with us as an eight-week-old pup just before Christmas.
She was brilliant on both our fishing trips this week.
She seems to have worked out that she goes in her bed when the engine starts.
She didn’t even need to be told to go in there before we left the marina on Tuesday morning.
The fact that she always gets a treat for going in her bed may help a bit too 😊
She's always keen to be out on deck with us while we're out on the water and is interested in everything that's going on around her.
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Ruby watching a small fishing boat disappearing into the distance on the Solway Firth |
And she enjoyed meeting other dogs and people while out on her walks again this week.
She really is a very friendly little dog. Sometimes I wonder if she’s too friendly as it means she wants to stop and talk to everyone.
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Ruby meets Riley |
Ruby brought home her first big stick on Tuesday afternoon, or at least it was big compared to the tiny twigs she usually picks up and carries around.
She proudly brought home another stick the following day.
She gets to play with them on the aft deck for a while before they mysteriously disappear 😊
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Ruby chewing one of her sticks on Ravensdale's aft deck |
Without a stick, she stops repeatedly making it very difficult to walk her. Most of the time, there seems to be no obvious reason for this.
Sometimes it’s because she wants to get to dogs or people or to stop and watch something or to sniff interesting smells or try to pick up and eat things. On these occasions, we can see why she stops but there are many other occasions when she just stops dead and refuses to move for no apparent reason.
We’re just hoping this is something she’ll eventually grow out of – hopefully soon 😊
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Phil and Ruby on Ravensdale's foredeck |
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Ruby holding onto Phil's hand while he holds her bone for her |
Meanwhile, she's so much fun on the boat and likes nothing more than a cuddle, playing with her toys and getting us to hold an antler or bone for her while she chews on it.
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Ruby on Ravensdale yesterday (Thursday) evening |
Wildlife
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The injured cygnet just before it was taken to the animal sanctuary |
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The cygnet recovering at the sanctuary this week |
The poor bird was found on the marina slipway with a damaged leg and bite marks to its neck.
The sanctuary that's caring for him posted a progress report on Facebook on Tuesday saying: “He’s doing really well here at The Ani-Mel Haven sanctuary. Eating and drinking and his attitude has reappeared. Another few days and he’ll be ready for release.”
Yesterday (Thursday), I sent a message asking how he was doing and got this reply: “He’s almost back to normal, going to release him on our nature reserve pond away from other males but so he still has the option to stay here in safety or to come back to the marina.”
Mel said she was happy for me to use this photo of him at the sanctuary and is going to send me another photo of him when he’s released onto the reserve.
I wonder if he will come back to the marina one day soon...
Passers-by
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Maureen Patricia arriving at Maryport Marina |
On Saturday, a fishing boat from the Isle of Man, called Maureen Patricia, passed Ravensdale on her way to the boatyard next to the marina, where she's now undergoing work.
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Maureen Patricia and Ravensdale at Maryport Marina |
She moored up on the wall opposite Ravensdale while waiting to go onto the boat hoist.
A number of boats headed out of the marina onto the Solway Firth on Sunday but I only managed to capture a couple of them.
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A fisherman gives us a wave as he passes Ravensdale on Sunday |
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Freebird leaves the marina for the first fishing trip since her recent arrival |
There were a few boats out of the marina while we were out on the Solway on Monday, but I didn't manage to photograph any of them.
And a new boat, called Julisu, arrived at the marina this week.
Her owners are planning to move on board in a few weeks’ time so we won’t be the only liveaboards here for much longer.
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Marina staff taking Julisu to the slipway for lift-out |
Julisu passed Ravensdale on her way to the slipway to be lifted out on Wednesday.
All alone!
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The empty spaces left by the missing boats |
We're beginning to wonder if there's something that even our best friends wouldn't tell us as all the boats nearest to Ravensdale on one side of this pontoon have disappeared 😊
There were four boats close to us on the right side of the pontoon as we look back towards the marina, but they've all gone leaving a long empty space.
One boat that was out on the hard-standing for the winter went to a different berth when it came back into the water recently and the other three have since been lifed out onto the hard-standing.
I'm sure they'll be back soon. In the meantime, it looks really strange 😊
Photography
Our trips out on the Solway Firth on Ravensdale on Monday and Tuesday provided plenty of photo opportunities, especially as there were some interesting clouds around.
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Maryport lighthouse from the basin |
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Sunrise fishing on the Solway Firth |
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The north Cumbrian fells from the Solway Firth |
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Maryport from the Solway Firth |
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Another view of Maryport from the Solway Firth |
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Rapeseed oil crops standing out against a stormy sky seen from the Solway Firth |
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Fishing boat Sincerity returning to Maryport |
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Maryport across the basin from the Solway Firth |
I took my camera for a walk around the harbour on Saturday and Sunday.
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Fishing nets laid out at Maryport Harbour |
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Maryport lighthouse and the basin at low tide |
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Maryport Harbour at low tide |
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Fishing boat Samlewette II leaving Maryport Harbour |
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Maryport Harbour |
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A busy morning at Maryport Harbour |
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Freebird heading out onto the Solway Firth |
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Sea Otter heading out onto the Solway Firth |
And, as usual, I've taken a fair few photos of the marina, including the images below taken on Saturday and Tuesday evening.
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Maryport Marina from the slipway |
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Maryport Marina building from the slipway |
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Reflections at Maryport Marina |
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More reflections at Maryport Marina |
I was able to indulge my love of rust again this week when the engineer who repaired Ravensdale’s exhaust elbows showed us one he had taken off another boat.
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Lovely rich colours in the rust on an old exhaust elbow |
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Another close up of the rusty exhaust elbow |
I was very glad it hadn’t come off our boat as it was in a much worse state than either of ours but asked if I could take some photos of the rust.
He probably thought I was totally bonkers but let me do it anyway 😊
Weather watch
The weather over the past week has been really cool for the time of year.
This time last year, we were basking in glorious sunshine with temperatures climbing into the high teens.
This year, the temperature has dropped to just 2C (35F) on a couple of nights and has struggled to make double figures during the day. We even had hailstones on Monday afternoon!
Friday night into Saturday was one of the chilliest nights with the temperature dropping to 2C (35F).
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Blue sky and fluffy white clouds at Maryport Marina on Saturday |
The weather during the day on Saturday was dry, bright and breezy, but it felt cold in the northerly wind. The top temperature was 10C (50F) and the top average wind speed was 19mph, gusting 30mph.
The temperature went down to 2C (35F) again the following night.
This was followed by a sunny start to the day on Sunday. The cloud increased late morning, but it stayed dry, bright and fairly calm.
The temperature reached 11C (52F) with wind speeds of up to 13mph.
Monday started dry, bright, sunny and calm. The cloud increased after lunch with rain late afternoon and hailstones early evening. The daytime temperature only reached 9C (48F) and the top average wind speed was 14mph.
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Clouds over Maryport on Tuesday |
Tuesday was another bright and calm day. Rain was forecast but it didn’t arrive here until late afternoon.
The top temperature was 10C (50F) and the top average wind speed at St Bees Head was 14mph, but it was nowhere near as high as that here while we were out on the water.
We had rain overnight and it was still raining when we got up on Wednesday morning.
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Ravensdale's aft deck in the rain on Wednesday |
There was grey cloud and light rain for most of the day with a top temperature of 10C (50F) and a top average wind speed of 19mph.
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Grey cloud at Maryport Marina yesterday (Thursday) |
Yesterday (Thursday) was cloudy with light rain during the morning. The cloud persisted into the afternoon. It then brightened up a bit and stopped raining but continued spitting from time to time.
The temperature reached 9C (48F) and the top average wind speed was 22mph, gusting 30mph.
And, so far today (Friday) the weather has been dry, bright and fairly sunny with a top temperature of 10C (50F) and a top wind speed of 13mph.
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Sunshine and clouds at Maryport Marina this morning (Friday) |
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