We had a plan!

We did have a plan for this season and it seemed a good one. The plan was to get to Brixham as quickly as possible and then explore the West Country at our leisure. Charts went home, passages planned, dates set and then the Weather Gods intervened. As if to say to heck with their plan. We arrived at Ipswich on the set date, Tuesday 7th May, ready to go down the river on Wednesday. However as we were driving down we knew this wasn't feasible. On the plus side Ann-Marie and Mick from Fleur were still at Ipswich. So over a brew we arranged to go to our favourite Chinese Restaurant on the Wednesday. A good time was had by all. We had checked the weather and were ready to set off the next day.


Weather Gods intervention 2. Just as we were getting ready to set off, the sky suddenly went eerily black and the heavens opened - a total monsoon. Delay number 2, silver lining no 2 - Ann-Marie and Mick came round for a bottle of wine. This time we decided we wouldn't say goodbyes.

To cut a long story short we finally set a date to go down the river as Saturday 11th May. As chance would have it Fleur decided that was the day they were off. This meant that Ann- Marie and I had chance for one last shop around Ipswich and a visit to a Craft Fayre. Sadly the wool shop where we used to go to Knit and Natter has closed.

Seeker - one of the Border Force Boats at Ipswich

After a night's mooring they would turn left and we would turn right. We had a lovely night on the buoy and were about 4 buoys down from Fleur.

It was a beautiful calm night on the river as the pictures show.

On the dot of 6.30am we dropped the mooring lines and set off for Ramsgate. I cant say we set sail as there wasn't enough wind. However the wind picked up and we were able to get the Genoa sail out and she increased the rate of knots. It was a good journey enhanced by seeing quite a few seals. its amazing how seeing wildlife makes us happy. We also saw a guillemot fishing.

It was very quiet passing only one container ship and we had a solitary yacht quite a way in front of us. It was a bright day but quite cold but we were wrapped up warm.

We were pleased with the passage and passage time and were moored up at Ramsgate within 8 1/2 hours of leaving the mooring buoy. The plan was to leave the next morning for Dover and Eastbourne the following morning.

Weather Gods intervention mark 3 - the winds for the journey to Eastbourne were forecast to be force 7. Plus because we had delayed our start date the tides were not favourable and it would have been an afternoon/evening sail. After much thought and consultation with weather forecast and tide table we decided to stay put in Ramsgate. So we are here till next Sunday morning and if all goes according to plan we will go from here to Eastbourne. I'll not share the rest of the plan as it's bound to go adrift if I do. Needless to say we will be in the West Country a lot later than expected. However, the joys of retirement means we are not on a strict timetable.

Sailing Information.
£31.99 a night, but if you stay seven nights, the seventh night is free after the discount. That was one of the reasons we decided to stay the extra night.
I still moan about the cost of the laundry here - £5 a wash and £3 a dry.
The shower block is kept clean (cleaners twice a day), however there is always a musty smell, I think its the drains.
As always the marina staff here are always friendly and helpful. There are lots of things to do in Ramsgate. (See the next blog!)