And we're off.....

Despite being told we wouldn't get a lift out till the 7th August, the brilliant staff at Ipswich Haven Marina managed to fit us in the next morning. Our friends from Seaduction were lifted out just before us as Chris had heard an annoying knock. (They had has their lift out booked for a fortnight.) His suspicions were correct and it was growth on the prop. This long hot summer has been an ideal breeding ground for the little beasties.

Our turn next.

Going into the lift.

No wonder we had no power. The little beasties decided our prop was a brilliant breeding ground.

Tim about to jet wash the hull and prop.

John giving an extra scrub with a wire brush.

Getting ready to go back in.

The difference once it was done was amazing, just back to normal.

1st August - Down the River

As previously planned we went out of the lock on freeflow. Quite uneventful going down the river, but it was full at Halfpenny Pier. We rafted up next to another yacht on the outside. We had a nice wander round Harwich and nipped in the Alma. However we didn't feel like  full meal so had a starter each. It was up to the normal standard. It wasn't the most comfortable night so was glad when it was time to get up at six. We chatted to the guy next door. He obviously had a habit of throwing the dregs of his coffee over the end of his boat. He obviously forgot someone was tied on to him! quite a lot of coffee stains down or boat!

We left the mooring at 6.43 and had the mainsail up straight away. It was quite a good journey and we did a fair bit of sailing. Though it was a question of engine on and engine off. I think we did more sailing than the whole of the previous trip. It was a good journey and quite smooth.  As we passed North Foreland we slowed down as we had the tide against us, but we knew that this would happen. Actually going into Ramsgate was very bumpy but all in all a good journey - 8 hours in all.

Last year when we were in Ramsgate I filled in a visitors survey, which put us in a free draw. I'm pleased to say it was us that got drawn out. This meant two free nights in Ramsgate.

Our time in Ramsgate was hot, hot, hot. We did a lot of touristy stuff and went to Margate (visited the Turner Art Gallery), Sandwich (lovely old town) and a walk to Broadstairs. I didn't take many photos of Ramsgate as we took a load last year.

Sailing information.

Harwich to Ramsgate 44.1 NM, 8 hours flat

£33 pounds a night.

Lots of facilities in town.

Laundry £5 a wash!!!!

Very friendly marina staff

Best laid plans again...........!

Well we had a wonderful time at home, the highlight being the wedding of my nephew Chris to Sammy. As you can see they both looked wonderful and it was a superb wedding full of family and friends.

I also managed to get a quick concert in with band as we were playing at Birstwith Summer Show.

We came back to the boat on Monday and were very organised.
I did a huge Morrisons shop and the fridge I full to bursting. Tuesday again very organised. the  first leg of the journey was just down the River so I did the passage planning for the following day (Harwich to Ramsgate). The tides for Wednesday look brilliant time wise. They are also good for today and we realised that we could go out of the lock on freeflow - bonus.

Engine on, something wasn't quite right with propulsion on the boat. We weren't quite sure what the problem was so decided to drop the mooring and see if things improve when we were underway as opposed to tied on to the pontoon. Once off the pontoon and heading towards the lock we had the throttle full on, something we never do, we only went up to 1200 revs and a speed of 2.1 knots. Something was definitely amiss so we turned round and went back to our berth.

We are not sure what the problem is at the moment, it might that our folding prop is not opening up. The engine looks and sounds fine. so we need to have the boat lifted out of the water, here's the rub. The marine is fully booked for lift outs, the first date is 7th August! So instead of being on our way to Holland via Ramsgate, Dunkerque and Ostend we are in Ipswich for a week.

Watch this space.

Best laid plans ......

We did have a plan! After Burnham on Crouch, our intention was to anchor off Osea Island for a night and then head to Heybridge Basin. However the weather decided to turn and this meant anchoring off Osea Island was a total no go as the wind direction would mean we would be on the lea shore  with winds forecast Force 6/7 with gusts.

Although we did enjoy our time at Burnham, we had spend four nights there and didn't want to wait longer waiting for a weather window. The weather was good enough for us to head back to our home port of Ipswich so that's what we did. It was a very steady journey back, without a lot of win, which was ironical as we were heading back because of the wind.

As we were back in Ipswich we decided to make the most of our time there and be tourists. So we went to Sutton Hoo and Minsmere (on separate days)and had great fun. Added bonus was we even managed to meet up with friends Cath and Mike in Southwold.

It was also the sailing in company weekend coming up and usually we are never around so we thought we'd would join in with that. All the boats were going down the River to Shotley Marina and having a meal there.

There wasn't a great deal of wind but as this was only a short sail and time wasn't a problem we sailed very gently down the river.

It was also the day of the Pin Mill Barge Race. Just loved these pictures of EDME, who we found out later was the winner.

A good night was had by all. Although we frequently drive down and walk by Shotley it is over 23 years since we last stayed here. I'm good with the dates as it was the week before we got married. It's a nice marina but because it's so close to our home marina it's not one we stay at. For anyone not familiar with this marina, it has baths! That is a total luxury in the sailing world.

The Sunday was also another lovely day so we decided to sail down the Stour, anchor up, have a spot of lunch and listen to the football ( England were playing!).  We had a bit of fun when anchoring. We anchored straight away but when I was about to hoist the anchor ball the elastic pinged and it went over the side and disappeared. Eventually it popped up but not in reach. So we had to up anchor and chase it and eventually managed to retrieve it before  anchoring. It was a lovely afternoon made better by the fact England won.

After the match we up anchored and made our way back to Ipswich. Again there was very little wind but as we had all the time in the world we sailed ever so gently up the River, at about 3 knots. I had to laugh as we were slightly behind another boat that was sailing. I could see John's horns coming out and without the other yacht knowing it was in a race.  All the way up the River the sails were being adjusted, we just about overhauled them when they turned in by Pin Mill to pick up a mooring buoy. We continued to sail right up to the lock.  The wheels came off a bit at this point as four barges and numerous boats were waiting for the lock. so we had a two hour wait for the lock. the longest we've ever had to wait. it was just one of those things. When we got back to our berth, I could see something floating in the berth behind us. Out with the boat hook - it was a computer bag complete with laptop, ipad, various wires and a large bag of change. Believe it or not despite being fully submerged the ipad still fired up. We took it to the marina office the next morning and they think they identified the owner.

Sailing Information
Burnham upon Crouch  to Ipswich Haven Marina  41.6 NM
8 hours 21minutes

Up and down the Orwell with a bit of the Stour  26.1 NM


For this part of our summer we had mainly long sails and without the sail in company we did a total of 227.90 NM, if we include the sail in company it was 254NM. the majority of it was using the Iron Main Sail (engine). It has been a good start and we will be back at the end of July. Before that we have a weeding to enjoy.

Chatham to Burnham upon Crouch -9th June 2018

For once the tides meant that we weren't up at the crack of dawn. We were planning to go out on the 09.30 lock, but we were ready and the lock was on freeflow so we set off at 08.41.

We did manage to get the mainsail up but it looked as if it would be a day of motor sailing. As we were passing Queenborough, seven Thames Barges came out to take part in a race. They were with us for a lot of our journey across the mouth of the Thames. it was a wonderful sight seeing these boats in full sail, we add to be careful as they were under sail and were tacking. On this part of the journey we also passed the wreck of the Richard Montgomery. This is a WW2 wreck and it is marked by the buoys as you aren't allowed to near it as it still has lots of explosives on it. As you can imagine I was glad to give it a wide berth.

 Although we were both wrapped up warmly, it was dry and I am smiling.

 If you look at our track today, it might look as if we didn't have a clue where we were going. We did, but there is a very large sandbank that we had to go round as there was no where near enough water to go over it. This is sometimes the problem with sailing, you can see where you want to go but cant go straight there.

Once we were going back on ourselves, we were travelling down the River Crouch we could enjoy the wild life as there were lots of seals on the banks.

 It was warming up as the more observant will not I've taken off the top coat.

I was glued to the East Coast Pilot book as this river does get shallow, we had planned our journey to be going down it on a rising tide. Plus the fact there were loads of Yachts and Dinghies racing so we had to keep our wits about us as they were tacking all over the place. However we found the marina without hassle and came in on the correct channel so no running aground. One of the locals took our ropes so that was good. it had been a long journey and we were tired and hungry as we were looking for the harbour master we came across the onsite restaurant. So one we'd paid our dues we went back there for fish and chips and a pint of shandy. It went down very well.

It is a nice marina, a bit in the middle of nowhere, but good facitlies with  a chandlers and restaurant. There is a Coop and Tesco Express within walking distance and a railway station. Burnham upon Crouch is a tiny town that time forgot with several Yacht Clubs.

Looking at the next pictures you can see how shallow it gets nearer the marina and why it is important to follow the instructions in the pilot book. We did stay close to the yellow buoy so we were in the dredged channel to enter between the two posts.

You could walk along to River into town. There was also a walk the other way and you could then catch the train back to Burnham, which we did. I always carry our Two Together Railcards as you never know when they might be needed.

Sailing Information
46.4 NM logged journey time 8 hours 17 minutes.
Good facilities at marina. Toilets, showers, laundry, chandlers and boatyard plus a good restaurant with bar on site. Free but very poor wifi.
Supermarkets in a 15 minute walk.
If wanted you can get the train into London from here.

London to Chatham 5th June 2018

All to quickly the week passed by and it was time to leave London. Another early start for us as we had booked the 06.30 lock. We were out and on the Thames by 06.35, very quick and very efficient. Just as we came out of the lock we realised that there was  film crew filming a speed boat. Not sure what film or TV show was being filmed but it was interesting.

We didn't get many photos coming up the river and by the look of the weather today we weren't going to get many great snaps today.

You can also see that we were wrapped up for the weather. One day I'm going to get a glamourous shot of me sailing!

Once again we were called up on the radio by VTS, this time it was to let us know that a barge was travelling up the river on our side (which basically meant it was coming up the River the wrong way.) It's good to know that various folk are keeping an eye on you and all the river traffic.

As we were going down the Thames we knew our friends Anne-Marie and Mick on Fleur of Pendle were coming up the river. It's silly how excited you get thinking you are going to pass someone you know on the river. We even tracked them on Marine Traffic.

The two purple boats are Rascal and Fleur of Pendle.

We were near enough to have a chat as we went by. They might note be the best photos in the world, but in my defence it was very bumpy.

We knew we would be meeting up with them again at Chatham.

The journey down the Thames went quite quickly, at one stage we were travelling at 8.2 knots. Going over the mouth of the river was slow going but we knew we would have the tide with us going up the Medway.

We were soon at Chatham. The lock in was painless and we were given a nice berth. More of Chatham in the next blog.

Sailing Information

48.4 NM logged  8hours 10 mins

Excellent marina - good facilities

Laundrette £2.50 for a wash and £2.50 drier.

Lots of works round the marina. 

Shopping centre nearby (which believe it or not I didn't have time to visit)

Lots of eating places

Cinema

Coop

Chatham Historical Dockyard