A spectacular trawler race and Ruby gets a nasty electric shock

Ravensdale during Maryport Trawler Race

It’s been an eventful week on Ravensdale – some of which was good and some not so good.

Maryport Trawler Race is my favourite event of the year, so I was really pleased that the forecast was good for Saturday – and that the forecasters were correct 😊

We thoroughly enjoyed taking Ravensdale out on the Solway Firth here in Cumbria, UK, to watch the race again this year and for a successful fishing trip yesterday (Thursday) evening.

But we had a less good experience on Sunday when Ruby – our 9-month-old staffie puppy – bit through our 240V shore power cable giving herself a nasty electric shock ☹


Trawler Race

Some of the boats taking part in Maryport Trawler Race on Saturday

Ruby looking unimpressed by our aft deck bunting 😊

I totally love Maryport Trawler Race and the weather gods were definitely kind to us this year as we couldn’t have asked for anything better than blue skies, sunshine and very little wind 😊

I’d been for a walk around the harbour on Friday afternoon to see the fishing boats being decorated ready for the race and couldn’t help wishing that we’d bought some bunting to decorate Ravensdale for the event.

We mentioned this to friends in the marina who said they had some but wouldn’t be decorating their yacht, so they lent it to us, which was very kind of them. There were two lengths that were just long enough for Ravensdale’s aft deck.

Another friend gave us some longer lengths of bunting that Phil strung from the flybridge to the guard rail on the bow and back again.

Ravensdale decorated for the trawler race

Ravensdale's bunting viewed from inside the boat

The trawlers were due to leave the harbour at around 12.45pm and the race was scheduled to start at about 1pm.

Ravensdale in Maryport Basin before the trawler race. Photo by Bryan Hewitt

We left the marina at about 12.15pm so we’d be out on the Solway Firth in good time and wouldn’t get in the way of the boats taking part in the event.

Ravensdale leaving Maryport

Phil checked the position of the buoys marking the route then found us a good spot where we could watch the decorated trawlers coming out of the basin ready to line up for the start of the race.

Ravensdale sitting just off north pier to watch the trawlers leaving Maryport. Photo by Ronnie Bell

Most were packed with people, some of whom were in fancy dress in keeping with the theme for their boat.

I didn’t count the entries but there must have been about 20 boats taking part.

The local lifeboats were also out on the Solway along with a number of other boat owners who, like us, were there to watch the race.

Maryport Inshore Rescue (right) and Siloth Lifeboat during the race

When the trawlers were all in place, Phil moved Ravensdale to a location where we would get a good view of the trawlers heading towards the first buoy without getting in their way.

Some of the trawlers lined up at the start line as the race began

We heard a bang and saw a plume of smoke rising from Venture West charter fishing boat, which had the race organisers and photographers on board.

The trawlers set off and seemed very close to each other at times as the skippers put their vessels through their paces.

Some of the decorated trawlers taking part in the race

I’ve never seen the race from the shore as we’ve been out on a boat every year since we moved on board in November 2016.

The first year we were on a friend’s yacht as Ravensdale wasn’t yet ready to leave the marina and last year we went out on our own boat.

I’m sure it would still be interesting from the land, but I’m sure there’s nothing like being out on the Solway Firth in the midst of the action.

The water was calm when we first left the marina, but it becomes pretty choppy with the wakes caused by the racing vessels and other boats motoring around to watch them.

Once the race was over, Phil took Ravensdale back to our vantage point just outside the basin so I could photograph the trawlers heading back into Maryport.

One of the trawlers returning to Maryport after the race

We’d intended to stay out fishing for a while after the race as the marina gate wasn’t due to close until around 4pm, but Phil decided to go straight back after the event, and we moored up soon after 2pm.

While I was processing my photos and started posting them on a local Facebook group, other people were also uploading their images of the event.

I was delighted to discover that there were quite a few photos of Ravensdale decked out with bunting, some even included me taking photos of the race from the aft deck and the flybridge.

And the photographers kindly gave their permission for me to share them in my blog. Many thanks to all concerned 😊

Me sitting on Ravensdale's flybridge waiting for the race to begin. Photo by Lee Wise

Ravensdale with one of the trawler race boats. Photo by Lee Wise

Ravensdale during the trawler race. Photo by Lee Wise

Ravensdale during the trawler race. Photo by Ronnie Bell

Ravensdale during the trawler race. Photo by Lee Wise

Me taking photos of the race from Ravensdale's flybridge. Photo by Paul Hamilton

Ravensdale returning to Maryport. Photo by Ronnie Bell

Ravensdale passing Maryport Lighthouse on her way into the basin. Photo by Ronnie Bell

(NOTE - There are many more of my photos of the trawler race in the photography section towards the end of this blog post 😊)

Ruby gets a nasty shock

Ruby on Ravensdale's aft deck

Phil and I were both inside Ravensdale and Ruby was out on deck when we heard the most awful yelping and whining coming from outside.

We both dived up on deck to find Ruby obviously scared and distressed but couldn’t initially see the cause.

My first thought was that she must have been stung by a wasp, then Phil noticed the cable for our shore power had been chewed through and we realised that we no longer had any electricity on the boat.

Ruby was terrified and refused to come indoors.

I managed to coax her inside and sat and cuddled her while Phil repaired the cable.

The damaged electricity cable after Ruby had chewed it

We looked in her mouth and couldn’t see any signs of burning but she was shaking and obviously very upset.

Phil repairing the power lead

After a while, she laid down with the little cuddly toy that she’s had since the day we brought her home and watched Phil repairing the shore power lead.

Ruby watching Phil repair the lead

But she dived back outside as soon as she saw a chance and sat on the far side of the deck from the power socket.

Soon after the repair had been completed and we had power again, it started to rain and we got her to come back in, but she was very wary of going near the cable that is right next to the door that is the only access to Ravensdale.

And she was very cuddly for the next couple of hours.

The incident happened soon after lunch on Sunday and Ruby still seems to be OK, so it doesn’t seem to have done her any lasting harm.

But we’re hoping it has taught her an important lesson in life – don’t bite electricity cables because they bite back 😊


Yesterday’s fishing trip

Ravensdale leaving Maryport Marina yesterday (Thursday)

I regularly check the weather forecast looking for our next chance to take Ravensdale out on the water and, from early this week, it became clear that yesterday (Thursday) was our best opportunity for days.

The gate wasn’t due to open until at least 3.55pm so we took Ruby for her afternoon walk a bit early and walked around to the pier to check the sea state.

It was a bit choppy, but not too bad and the wind was due to drop still further during the evening, so we decided to go, and we left the marina at around 4.15pm in glorious sunshine.

Ravensdale on the way to Allonby Bay

The trip up to Allonby Bay was a bit bumpier than we’d expected but it was fine after we’d dropped anchor.

And we were very glad we’d decided to go as it was one of the most successful fishing trips in recent months.

Phil fishing from Ravensdale's aft deck

Phil caught a good selection of different types of fish. The best being a metre-long (39in) smooth-hound, which is a member of the shark family, and the first decent-sized bass he has caught from Ravensdale.

Phil with the smooth-hound he caught on this trip

Phil with the first decent bass he's caught from Ravensdale

He also caught two codling – one was pretty small and the other just under the 35cm length that we would’ve been allowed to keep so both were returned to the water.

Phil with the largest of the two codling he caught yesterday

Other catches included a small eel and another dogfish. We’re not sure whether the eel was a silver eel or a conger eel as, from my photos, we can’t see where its dorsal fin starts.

The eel Phil caught

And his most disappointing catch was a dogfish and a good-sized rock that we both thought was going to be a really big fish while he was reeling it in.

The dogfish and the rock that Phil hooked yesterday

But, all in all, it was a really good trip that we both enjoyed and, as usual, Ruby was happy licking up any fish juice that fell onto the deck from Phil’s bait and catches.

Ravensdale returning to Maryport

We were back in the marina at around 8.20pm after about four hours out on the water.


Cleaning Ravensdale’s water filters

Phil washing a strainer from one of Ravensdale's water filters

Phil regularly checks and, if necessary, cleans out the water filters on Ravensdale’s two 300hp Volvo Penta engines and from time to time he takes them out to give them a more thorough clean.

Yesterday (Thursday) he decided they needed a deep clean and took the strainers out to wash them under the tap on the pontoon before bringing them back on board to give them a good scrub.

We’re hoping Ravensdale appreciates his efforts on her behalf 😊


Ruby of Ravensdale

Ruby on look-out duties on Ravensdale

Ruby’s ear infection appears to have cleared up nicely despite her refusing to let us anywhere near her with the little bottle of drops that the vet sold us to treat it.

She ran away if she so much us saw us reach for the bottle.

However, we managed to put some of the liquid onto one of our fingers while she wasn’t looking then rubbed it inside her ear.

We were unsure whether she was getting the required amount, but it appears to have done the trick anyway 😊

Ruby’s still being a bit of a pain for me when I take her for walks on a lead.

She’s much better than she used to be but still has a tendency to stop, to pull or to try to eat everything she sees.

She’s also very keen to stop to talk to any people or dogs we meet but will now walk past them on occasions with a little bit of encouragement.

She’s much better behaved for Phil who manages to keep her moving on a short lead, so it must be me that’s the problem ☹

On the plus side, she seems totally unphased by traffic and is getting really good at sitting before crossing a road.

She also lets me tie her lead to a post while I stop to take photos without objecting, which is very useful.

Ruby patiently waiting while I photograph Maryport Harbour

Like most dogs, she really looks forward to her walks and starts looking for her ball as soon as we get to the places where she’s usually let off the lead to play fetch.

Ruby searching for her ball

Ruby fetching her ball

Ruby bringing her ball back to Phil

And she doesn’t give up if she can’t find her ball straight away when it lands in long grass.

She’ll search for ages and we can always tell when she’s got the scent of her ball as her tail starts wagging before she pounces on it 😊



Fredwood on the slipway

Fredwood on the slipway at Maryport Marina

Local fishing boat Fredwood has been undergoing work on the marina slipway over the past week.

Fredwood being pressure-washed on the slipway

I didn’t see her arrive because she came into the marina while we were out on the Solway Firth on Ravensdale.

So, I was determined to get a few shots when the 88-ton trawler passed Ravensdale as she left the marina in pouring rain on Tuesday afternoon.

Fredwood approaching Ravensdale after turning at the bottom of the slipway

Phil and I watched her come out of the boat hoist and were both very impressed by the way the skipper turned her on her own length at the bottom of the slipway with just inches to spare.

Fredwood heading towards the sea gate as she left Maryport Marina

Photography

Most of the photos I took this week were of preparations for the Trawler Race on Friday afternoon and the main event Saturday lunchtime.

One of the trawlers being decorated in preparation for the race

Bunting being tied onto another trawler ready for the race

Chelaris - the boat that went on to win the race

Maryport Trawler Race

Maryport Trawler Race

Maryport Trawler Race

Maryport Trawler Race

Maryport Trawler Race

Maryport Trawler Race

Maryport Trawler Race

Maryport Trawler Race

Maryport Trawler Race

Maryport Trawler Race

Maryport Inshore Rescue boat during Maryport Trawler Race

Sadly, my camera refused to switch on before the race started and I was really worried that I wouldn’t be able to use it at all.

I managed to get it to work again by turning it on and off, taking the battery out and putting it back and taking the lens off and putting it back on again. I have no idea which of these actions did the trick.

It stopped two more times during the race, and I got it going again by doing the same things as before.

Phil also passed me a Canon camera that he usually uses, and I haven’t really had much to do with, so I had that one with me as well.

It was set to auto, so I thought it was going to be fine, so I kept my 45-150 lens on my Olympus camera and used the Canon for the wider views.

But I later discovered that the last time Phil had used it the ISO was set to 1200 and all my photos were way overexposed. To say I was disappointed would be an understatement ☹

I took well over 500 photos, not including the ones I took with the Canon on the wrong ISO setting, all of which had to be deleted.

Taking photos for a good hour and a half made my right arm really painful. And trying to process them when we got back to the marina was even worse.

In the end, I had to give up on them on Saturday and work on them in batches over the next couple of days.

Thankfully, my arm recovered sufficiently to take my camera out with me while Phil and I were walking Ruby on Wednesday afternoon.

Grasslot beach at Maryport

A yacht in Maryport Basin

The same yacht with the town in the background as it heads for the marina

And I took more photos while out on the Solway Firth on our fishing trip yesterday (Thursday) but my camera packed up again and I had to borrow Phil's so it looks like it's going to have to be sent away for repairs ☹ I also popped out to get a couple of shots of the sunset soon after we got home.

Anglers fishing on Este Belle at sundown

The sun going down over the Solway Firth with the Scottish hills in the distance

Cloud sitting on the northern fells from the Solway Firth

The sun setting over the Scottish hills

Maryport from the Solway Firth

Another view of Maryport from the Solway Firth

Maryport Lighthouse from the Solway Firth

The Isle of Man from the Solway Firth

Last night's sunset over the Solway Firth

An earlier shot of the sunset across Maryport Basin

Another view of the sunset across the basin

Weather watch

The weather has been very mixed this week, but at least it was dry, warm and sunny for the day that mattered most. It was great to have good weather on Saturday for Maryport Trawler Race.

Blue sky at Maryport on Saturday

Saturday was a beautiful day with plenty of sunshine and very little wind. The temperature reached 22C (72F) and the highest average wind speed during the day at St Bees Head – our nearest weather station – was 13mph. During the trawler race, the average wind speed was 9-11mph.

It was very warm overnight with temperatures of 16-18C (61-64F) with a little light rain first thing on Sunday. The morning was then dry and sunny with light showers during the afternoon. The top average temperature was 20C (68F) and the top average wind speed was 17mph, although it was much calmer during the evening.

Reflections in the still water at Maryport Marina on Sunday evening

Monday was cloudy but bright with a little light rain during the morning. It dried up during the afternoon, then rained again in the evening. The top temperature was 17C (63F) and the top average wind speed was 19mph.

Heavy clouds over Maryport Marina on Monday morning

We had heavy rain overnight Monday into Tuesday. It was still raining first thing on Tuesday, the rain then cleared but the sky stayed overcast with more rain mid-afternoon. The top temperature was 16C (61F) and the top average wind speed was 21mph.

The view out of the window onto Ravensdale's aft deck during heavy rain on Tuesday

Wednesday started wet then dried up to give sunshine and cloud with a good breeze. The top temperature was 17C (63F) and the top average wind speed was 14mph.

Yesterday (Thursday) was dry warm and sunny with a light breeze. The top temperature was 18C (64F). The top average wind speed was 13mph and between 3mph and 7mph while we were out on the Solway Firth.

Maryport basking in the sunshine yesterday (Thursday) afternoon

We had high winds and torrential rain overnight last night with average wind speeds of up to 28mph, gusting, 37mph, but the wind dropped and it stopped raining by mid-morning today (Friday).

Today the weather was overcast but dry and fairly bright until mid-afternoon when it started to rain again. There was a brief thunderstorm early evening together with torrential rain. The temperature peaked at 20C (68F) and the average wind speed reached 26mph, gusting 37mph.