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.