Finally after being in Eyemouth longer than any other port, it was time to move and the weather was at last going to allow it. The plan for the day was to make the fifty-mile passage down to Blyth, with the contingency of Amble ten miles earlier.

The forecast was for a light breeze from the north, just enough to see us on our way – or so I hoped. As I radioed into Forth Coastguard things were looking good, under full sail we were moving slowly but steadily down towards Berwick.

This wind lasted for about ten minutes and then - nothing! I had given the task today of getting a photo of the lighthouse on the outer side of the Farn Islands. To do this I was hoping for a fair wind that would allow us to take the outer route around these rocks. This was not to be and I quickly reassess things once it was clear that the day would be a long trip under power.

We motored under flapping mainsail on the shortest course to our destination. The route took us through the inshore channel between the coast and the inner Farn Islands. With moderate visibility, little wind and only a light swell piloting Silverwind along the coast was a little light on activity.

This trip is never boring though as we would see today. Whenever the wind is not causing excitement it is other bits of that nature take over the challenge. If is was not sea birds, it was seals and as we passed through the tidal currents around the Farn Island a school of dolphins raced past.

All these animals act very differently to the presents of a boat passing by. The sea birds just sit there and could not care if you were there or not. Seals are generally shy and will disappear as soon as you get anywhere near. Dolphins are quite the opposite; happily approaching the boat from a distance and start playing in the turbulence of the hull.

Well so much for my theories of animal behaviour, these dolphins were having nothing of it. They were clearly in hot pursuit of their prey and the moment I had my camera out…well lets just say I have not had much joy in getting Dolphins on film!

Now just fifteen miles north of Amble I decided it was the best plan for a berth for the night. Unlike Blyth, Amble has a tidal access so we needed to enter sometime after 6pm. I phoned ahead to confirm a berth for the night and spoke to the office trainee. This was fine but it took five minutes for us to confirm that the rock he had been told to warn visitors of, was the one on the chart and not some uncharted danger!

The last hour of the day was a peaceful cruise (well as peaceful as it can be with the engine running) into Amble under the cover of early darkness. It was a beautiful view as I neared the land, there was about three firework displace taking place along the coast. This was a little bit of a distraction when looking for faint flashing red and green lights for the harbour entrance.

Just after 6pm we motored up the channel approaching the marina. The little swell there was being funnelled up the channel and for the first time all day it was a little bumpy. We soon found the visitors berth and I quickly discovered a great Pizza Takeaway! It was interesting to note that the Coastguard had broadcast a navigation warning four hours before we arrived in Amble stating the main lighthouse of Amble (Coquet Light) would be unlit. On speaking to the coastguard I confirmed it had been lit as we went past. They noted this and went off to confirm with Trinity House. [As a post note they were still broadcasting this warning at least five days later].