'Twas slow going, wind-wise, today. I sailed down the Orwell, against the flood, including a point, opposite Levington Creek, where the wind died completely and I drifted backwards whilst eating lunch. This sail also featured unusual speed against other boats: overtaking (a couple of 25 footers including a Beneteau which looked to be built for speed...) is a rare experience for me... At the southerly turn, I yanked the starter cord to allow the motor a stint since the wind had completely dropped again, and I also wanted to give it a run, given its recent propensity to produce strange sounds. Fortunately, it was behaving today - no screeching, or associated noise, which is reassuring as Autumn comes into view.
Once in Harwich harbour, I stopped the engine, hoisted sails and made the most of the little wind there was, sailing back to the mooring.
Having eventually reached home, I wasn't ready to stop, so sailed back across to the north shore, and was rewarded with a decent F3 breeze and a pleasant easterly beat against the tide, prior to heading back to the mooring and then home.
Following last week's Broads cruise, I brought Daisy II down to Pin Mill for launching early on Saturday 15th. This was not without its dramas, having decided to launch onto the mud at low tide, and then getting the trailer stuck in the mud... However, all was retrieved thanks to a bit of selective winching and some car power.
Then, an unexpected opportunity arose for a short sail on Sunday, which I eagerly seized. This was just a simple sail up to the Orwell Bridge for lunch, and back. Nothing special but...'tis so good to be back sailing in home waters.
Wonderful to be back on the Broads again. This year, we launched at Reedham Ferry on the River Yare. The pub here serves great food and beer and there are handy moorings from which to launch a river cruise.
I had crew on Saturday, which is unusual, but reverted to single handing on Sunday.
Drascombes moored at Reedham Ferry
Reedham Ferry in action (Drascombes yonder)
Krykkje launching at Reedham (LW = mud!)
The slipway is technically fine for use at all states of the tide, but we found it muddy at or around LW. There is a charge for use, and for parking of car/trailer; this is payable to the ferry operator.
Jenny Morgan sets the pace
On Saturday, before setting off, we were waiting for the annual Yare Navigation Race, which consists of a large number of Broads cruisers working their way down the Yare and back again. Unfortunately, light winds meant that we never saw them pass Reedham, although I think they eventually did reach here. Instead, we set off and met them en route. It was all very good natured and they all managed to pass, by and large, without incident. I heard a few raised voices towards some holiday cruisers who couldn't get out of the way. These racing boats take their races seriously...
Where Jenny Morgan sails, other Drascombes follow, not necessarily falling into line, though...
Dabber Baffle
Deben Lugger Debutante.....
....going faster than Daisy II
Bashful Baffle
Coaster Dottie Two
Short Dyke, leading to Rockland Broad and lunch at the New Inn, Rockland St Mary
Lunch at the New Inn
We stopped for lunch at the New Inn, Rockland Broad.
The fleet sailing along a dyke aptly named 'The Fleet', leading from Rockland Broad back to the River Yare
After lunch we continued upstream, working our way into Bargate Broad and past the entrance to Surlingham Broad, before rejoining the Yare and stopping for the night at the pub at Surlingham Ferry.
A sumptuous supper with beer was enjoyed by all.
Jenny Morgan sets the tone, mooring stern-to; other Drascombes unconvinced...
A rare sight: Jenny Morgan under power...
On Sunday, we left at 9am and worked our way back to Reedham. I chose to sail for substantial sections, even though the wind was very light initially. In any case, my outboard motor was making some strange whining noises - which is not particularly good news... The track shown below suggests three main chunks of tacking, the middle one of which was motor sailing. In the final section - about a mile before returning to Reedham, the wind increased and the tide had turned, so I furled the jib and sailed using main and jib, managing to moor up at Reedham without engine or major incident.
The fleet waiting for wind on the return trip down the Yare
Red track on Saturday, White track on Sunday, including 133 tacks! Distance travelled: 20.8nm over the weekend, season's total 390.3nm
Daisy II motor sailing in light winds, Sunday, snapped by Sue Hines (see comment below).
This is a log of sailing activities aboard Daisy II, a 22ft Drascombe Coaster No.280. Formerly named Aquarius, she was built in July 1997 by Honnor Marine(UK) Ltd of Totnes, Devon. The original Daisy, a Devon Lugger, was purchased in 2005 following an unexpectedly early opportunity to realise a mid-life crisis! Daisy II, with cabin, afforded more scope for overnight stops, and was purchased at the end of 2006.
For several seasons she was moored at Pin Mill on the River Orwell, Suffolk. More recently, the trailer sailing option, utilising a versatile ‘roller coaster’ road trailer, has extended the sailing range. Over the years, we have sailed from various locations off the south coast from Cornwall to Hampshire, a number of inland reservoirs and the Norfolk Broads. However, her key stamping ground is the east coast, usually based around the Harwich area and reaching destinations ranging from North Kent up to Southwold, whilst also launching on the North Norfolk coast at Wells next the Sea. Most recently, a trip from Harwich to Whitby has served only further to whet the appetite: perhaps, one day, Daisy II might complete her journey, in small stages of course, around the UK!
