A week in Ipswich

The joys of being retired and not going on a long excursion this year meant we didn't have to rush off so we actually had a week in Ipswich. Our friends, Chris and Carol were already there when we arrived on the Monday, but we wouldn't see them as they had a five o'clock set off on the Tuesday. When we emerged about 7ish the following morning John checked Marine Traffic to see where Seaduction was, she was on her way back up the river, slowly. So all was not well. After texts we found found out that a weld on their engine bracket had failed. Chris managed to get it together with cable wraps as they made their way back. We stood by on their pontoon in case they needed assistance, but they didn't. They came in like a well oiled machine. After a couple of days they managed to get it all fixed, but by this time the weather wasn't playing nice so they couldn't get off to Ostend.

We generally pottered around the boat having fun we were looking forward to the weekend as the Marina was playing host to the Small Ships. On Friday we had a semi disaster as I discovered that the wire in the fist mike of the radio was degrading. A quick visit to Foxs told us that our make was now obsolete. We wouldn't have time for a new radio before we left on the Sunday plus it would be expensive. We nipped next door to the electrics shop to see if we could have it rewired. As it was a moulded connection this was a no go. However George came to the rescue, he leant us a fistmike for our summer travels. The good news is I have sourced a fist mike on ebay. As the delivery is over a few weeks I will have to plan the ordering carefully.

The weekend of the Small Ships was great, they all gathered and we had a great tour of the Massey Shaw. John had watched its renovation on Salvage Team so was pleased to see it in the flesh so to speak. The crew were extremely friendly.

The Massey Shaw in Action

First of the Engine pictures of the Massey Shaw.

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Little Ships at Ipswich Haven Marina.

Pictures of the Small Ships service.

We went to outdoor service on the Sunday morning, which was well attended and quite moving. Once that was over we prepared to set off and spend the night at the bottom of the Orwell. This meant we would not have to get up quite as early, although the alarm was still set for 5 .30 am.

Once again a delightful night on a buoy all was peaceful, though we were a bit anxious as the weather forecast was not brilliant. in the morning we would check again and either set off to Queenborough or head back up the Orwell.