2014 Spring Cruise - Day 14

The log...



Yes, I'm aware that the track log is incomplete, I'll fix it when I get a chance

The start of the day was delayed by heavy rain. Nothing short of dire necessity would have persuaded me to set off in that!

Eventually, the rain eased and we made our departure from Ipswich. Our sister boat had by now up their minds made and wisely deciding to head for the delights of Brightlingsea rather than thrash their way up the Wallet.

That left me mulling our options. On the one hand, a hard slog into a stiff breeze down the Wallet held little appeal. On the other it now being Saturday it would put us in good shape for an easy run up the Crouch on the morrow.

And, I will confess, I kind've wanted to test my limits. I know the boat can handle those conditions, could I?

With the wind on the nose it was motor all the way downriver. And boy did it get rough in the lower reaches. Once it opened out into the wide expanse between Harwich and Walton conditions settled down but it was still hard going under engine with insufficient angle on the wind to make putting a sail up worthwhile.

We've never seen a sight like it in these waters - there were sails everywhere! There must have been fourty boats sailing downwind in the Wallet heading for Harwich. Hardly anybody was going south though.

As we cleared the Naze and turned to a more South Westerly heading we got the wind onto the port bow and hoisted the main with two reefs and a double reefed genoa.

Off went the engine and away we went making excellent progress and in reasonable comfort too. We even had sunshine at times although heavy showers made foulies essential and frequent squalls ruled out setting more sail.

We cut the corner over the Colne Bar and made it into Brightlingsea in good order but too soon to get into the Waterside Marina. We snagged a visitors berth on the harbour pontoons instead and after sorting out on board took the water taxi ashore.

Meeting up with Ian and Jo off our sister Sabre Apogee we enjoyed an excellent curry and drinks and chat. All too soon it was time to catch the water taxi back to the pontoon and settle down for the night