We slept, in the end, very well and by the morning we were greeted with a fine start to the day and just a gentle ripple through the anchorage.
Conditions were, in fact, so pleasant that had we been able to obtain a replacement petrol can and fuel for the outboard I'd have been seriously tempted to leave Erbas at anchor and dinghy the four miles or so to Walton on the Naze
Perhaps it was just as well that it wasn't an option. It was gone nine in the morning so I tried phoning Bedwells, who manage the yacht basin at the head of the creek into Walton, but all I got were answerphones
Never the less, we determined to visit the town whilst we were here so we upped anchor and motored through the narrows at Stone Point and on through the moorings.
Our plan was to pick up a mooring as close to the town as possible and then we'd have perhaps two or three hours ashore. Time enough, at least, for a bit of shopping.
We did indeed pick up a mooring in an ideal spot but I thought it worth another try at the basin and happily this time the phone was answered and the news was good.
It's an interesting trip up the drying Foundry Reach with the echo sounder alarm going off almost constantly! We made it without touching and moored up where we liked as we'd been directed to do!
I located a very nice chap in the yard and paid him some money whilst Jane washed the decks down to sluice away the mud brought up by the anchor chain earlier
With the boat all tidy we set off into town and down to the beach. It's a bit of a walk up into the Naze proper but we made it, via a coffee stop at a beach kiosk, and paid our tuppence ha'penny each (I wish, £2.50 more like) to go to the tower
Built in the 1700s by Trinity House as a navigation mark, the Naze Tower has been variously used as a lighthouse, lookout, signaling position and radar tower over the years.
Restored to its former glory some years ago, it now serves as a tea room and art gallery. It was the view from the top that interested is though...
Looking out over the Walton Backwaters, Arthur Ransoms "Secret Water"
Staggering back down the tower and returning along the beach via another beach kiosk for a mediocre bacon butty and not very good coffee, we popped in to the RNLI shop. I wanted, and obtained, a new RNLI burgee to replace or existing one which was on the verge of disintegrating.
Jane picked up a keyring for her boat keys and a new mug to replace the one broken when we nearly needed the help of the lifeboat a week or three ago!
Then we walked out along the pier to look at the lifeboat moored in her permanent berth at the end
Jane wanted to know if we could see the inside to which I replied “ only if it all goes horribly wrong "!
Back into the shopping area we picked up a new watch and a nice retro looking boxed games compendium, which is something I've been after for a while. The it was Tesco Express for essentials and the makings of dinner before heading back to the boat
With the tide out, I took a walk to look at the creek and the basin entrance...
Jane cooked us a delicious meal of loin pork braised in a cider and apple sauce with steamed veg and mash. Yum!
It was washed down with a beer for me and cider for Jane and then we walked down to the Walton and Frinton Yacht Club for another drink or two. Very nice it is to, as is everything about Walton
And then to bed. Tomorrow could be a challenging day when we pay the price for the pleasures of today
Conditions were, in fact, so pleasant that had we been able to obtain a replacement petrol can and fuel for the outboard I'd have been seriously tempted to leave Erbas at anchor and dinghy the four miles or so to Walton on the Naze
Perhaps it was just as well that it wasn't an option. It was gone nine in the morning so I tried phoning Bedwells, who manage the yacht basin at the head of the creek into Walton, but all I got were answerphones
Never the less, we determined to visit the town whilst we were here so we upped anchor and motored through the narrows at Stone Point and on through the moorings.
Our plan was to pick up a mooring as close to the town as possible and then we'd have perhaps two or three hours ashore. Time enough, at least, for a bit of shopping.
We did indeed pick up a mooring in an ideal spot but I thought it worth another try at the basin and happily this time the phone was answered and the news was good.
It's an interesting trip up the drying Foundry Reach with the echo sounder alarm going off almost constantly! We made it without touching and moored up where we liked as we'd been directed to do!
I located a very nice chap in the yard and paid him some money whilst Jane washed the decks down to sluice away the mud brought up by the anchor chain earlier
With the boat all tidy we set off into town and down to the beach. It's a bit of a walk up into the Naze proper but we made it, via a coffee stop at a beach kiosk, and paid our tuppence ha'penny each (I wish, £2.50 more like) to go to the tower
Built in the 1700s by Trinity House as a navigation mark, the Naze Tower has been variously used as a lighthouse, lookout, signaling position and radar tower over the years.
Restored to its former glory some years ago, it now serves as a tea room and art gallery. It was the view from the top that interested is though...
Looking out over the Walton Backwaters, Arthur Ransoms "Secret Water"
Staggering back down the tower and returning along the beach via another beach kiosk for a mediocre bacon butty and not very good coffee, we popped in to the RNLI shop. I wanted, and obtained, a new RNLI burgee to replace or existing one which was on the verge of disintegrating.
Jane picked up a keyring for her boat keys and a new mug to replace the one broken when we nearly needed the help of the lifeboat a week or three ago!
Then we walked out along the pier to look at the lifeboat moored in her permanent berth at the end
Jane wanted to know if we could see the inside to which I replied “ only if it all goes horribly wrong "!
Back into the shopping area we picked up a new watch and a nice retro looking boxed games compendium, which is something I've been after for a while. The it was Tesco Express for essentials and the makings of dinner before heading back to the boat
With the tide out, I took a walk to look at the creek and the basin entrance...
Jane cooked us a delicious meal of loin pork braised in a cider and apple sauce with steamed veg and mash. Yum!
It was washed down with a beer for me and cider for Jane and then we walked down to the Walton and Frinton Yacht Club for another drink or two. Very nice it is to, as is everything about Walton
And then to bed. Tomorrow could be a challenging day when we pay the price for the pleasures of today
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