Ramsgate

2nd August 2018

An uneventful sail to Ramsgate, I say sail but it was one of those days that the engine was off and back on frequently. All in all in an 8 hour journey we had 1 1/2 hours of sailing. True to form just as we were approaching Ramsgate it got quite bouncy as the wind was against tide.

We had won some free nights at Ramsgate so were definitely staying for the two nights. It was very hot during our time at Ramsgate. Which was different to the pouring rain we had last year. Whilst there we took the bus to Margate. Maybe because it was such a hot day, but I wasn't overly impressed with Margate. I had particularly wanted to go an see the Turner Gallery there. From Margate we took the bus to Broadstairs and walked back to Ramsgate via the beach. although hot it was an enjoyable walk.

Another tourist place we went to was Sandwich. We travelled here by train (making the most of our two together cards). It really is a delightful little town, lots of Medieval buildings, and is worth a visit. The trains from Ramsgate are very frequent.

The plan had to then go over to Dunkirk and then work our way up to Holland. The weather wasn't right on the day we planned to go so stayed put a bit longer. However looking at the long term forecast we decided not to cross the channel but make our way back to Chatham.

6th August

Ramsgate to Chatham

After much discussion, we decided that from Ramsgate we would go back to Chatham and hopefully go to the places we'd planned to go in June, but were prevented by the weather.

Next was the passage planning! A choice of three routes one being very shallow. We decided to plump This was the middle of the three routes and although not as shallow as the first route, it was one to be approached on a rising tide as there were shallow bits. It also would take a lot of concentration as there were no real features to look at, just sea and you cant always tell what is deep and what is shallow.

There were several ways we could have tackled this journey. The deeper route was via the Princes Channel, but armed with our trusty copy of Crossing the Thames Estuary and knowing we were on a rising tide we took the route passing near Margate Sands.  This was for the Queen's channel and Kentish Flats route to the Medway. I was pleased we did this as there were lots of seals sunbathing on the Sands. Sadly there was no wind and it was very hot. So it was a gentle but long trip, nearly 9 hours.

Leaving Ramsgate

We walked along here many times.

Believe it or not there were loads of seals on the sandbank. Unfortunately I didn't have the telephoto lens and obviously we didn't go too close. (shallows)

As mentioned before we like Chatham Marina and there is plenty to do in the area. We had a nice walk we could do each night.

Whilst there we went to the Royal Engineers Museum. It was interesting and they did have a tank there that had been build at ROF Leeds. To be more ROF Barnbow, which was based in Crossgates. A place close to my heart as it was where my parents met.

We also paid another visit to the Maritime Museum as the tickets we bought on the last visit were valid for 12 months. Its worth going back as there is so much to see there.

Sailing information
Harwich Pier to Ramsgate 44.1 nm   Passage time 8 hours
Ramsgate to Chatham 49.4 nm.   Passage time 7 hours 27 minutes.