Wells next the sea rally

Sunrise over 'Bob Hall's Sand'

I've attended the Wells rally three times now.  On the previous two occasions, the locals tried to organise an expedition down the coast, overnighting and returning on the next tide.  Unfortunately, conditions are key to pulling this off and luck wasn't on our side.

This time, it all came together...

Dawn on Saturday 29th

I rose at the crack of dawn to make use of the early flood tide.  There was no wind, but the scenery was stunning, particularly as the sun rose.

West cardinal

After reaching the west cardinal, I motored back to port.

We had berths alongside a new (to me) jetty

On the afternoon tide, we sailed west to Scolt Head island, at the entrance to of the channel to Burnham Overy.  Winds were SSE F4.  The tide along the North Norfolk coast habitually runs east from a couple of hours before HW, so we were reaching against this, but still making around 4kts.

Reaching Scolt Head Island, we anchored and played in the glorious late afternoon sunshine, waiting for the tide to drop before taking the beach.

Anchorage off Scott Head Island

Swimming between Drascombes

Daisy II beginning to settle, unfortunately with her head down the sloping bank

Beached Drascombes

The evening was spent in good company, aboard Salford, one of the boats from the Coastal Exploration Company.  Here, a rather reluctant fire was slowly cooking sausages whilst participating skippers and crew drank grog.

Our leader, Peter, had organised the charter of Salford, one of the boats from the Coastal Exploration company.  https://coastalexplorationcompany.co.uk/about/#boats

Early the following morning, we left at sunrise, taking the return tide to Wells.  Winds had freshened to F5 W, daunting at first, but perfect for the return trip.

Rita Mae enjoying the action on the return trip, Salford just visible on the horizon

Return to Wells

Reaching port

Yellow track: early morning tide, 29th June, 5,8nm;
red track: afternoon trip to Scolt Head Island, 6.8nm;
green track: return trip to Wells next the sea, early tide on 30th June, 5.5nm.
Altogether, 18.1 nm.

Orwell to Walton Backwaters 15-16 June

Moonlight over Horsey Mere

A spare weekend, and an opportunity to pop down to the coast for a one-nighter.  

Launched at Woolverstone, and mostly motored over to the Backwaters almost directly into a fresh Southerly F5/6 blow.

Seals in Kirby Creek

Sanctuary in the Backwaters was found up Kirby Creek, trying not to disturb the local wildlife, including a colony of seals a little further upstream.  Conditions in Landermere Creek were too windy, but there is always more shelter to be found somewhere.

Wind over tide, departing from Hamford Water

The reward for motoring all that way was a delightful return sail with the wind behind me almost the entire way.  I left the Backwaters on the fresh flood, and sailed across Dovercourt Bay in increasingly lumpy conditions, reaching the safety of Harwich harbour before the forecast winds of 20mph arrived.

Thames barges moored on the River Orwell

Back in the Orwell, a reach past Pin Mill as always presented plenty of boats to admire.

New rope clutch replacing the previous cleats.  Still some tidying up to do.

The latest modification is a rope clutch for three halyards, replacing the two cleats that used to be there.  Works well.

White track, Saturday 15th June, 14.3nm; Red track, Sunday 16th June 16.4nm; Total length 30.7nm

May 29-31, Walton Backwaters

Sunset over Skipper Island

Another May half term cruise.  Other commitments narrowed the window of opportunity to these three days.  Winds were S backing SW F5/6 initially, becoming F4/5 later.  Gusty conditions such as these are never my favourite, but it was good to be challenged.  Selected Walton Backwaters as a base, due to strength of winds in the forecast, and the abundance of safe anchorages.


Wednesday 29th May

Muddy slipway at HW+4, Titchmarsh Marina

Launched at Titchmarsh Marina.  Short trip down the Walton Channel, and briefly looking out into Dovercourt Bay.  Southerly F6 gusts made for rough conditions (by my standards) so retired to Landermere Creek.

Anchored in Landermere Creek

Thursday 30th May
Brief hiatus when outboard wouldn't start, so returned by sail across Horsey Mere to the Marina.  It turned out that the outboard had merely flooded.  So, returned across Horsey Mere by motor, and then by sail out of the Backwaters.  Winds had abated too F4/5 SW, so sailed across to Harwich and over to Shotley for lunch, and then up and down the Orwell.  Returned by sail to the Backwaters for an extremely pleasant anchorage/drying out opposite Honey Island (Kirby Creek).

Seals in Kirby Creek

Friday 31st May

Winds still SW gusting to F5.  Had to take the boat out at HW (10.30am) due to commitments elsewhere.  Brief sail towards Landermere Quay before returning via Hamford Water and the Walton Channel to Titchmarsh Marina.

White track: 29th May, 6.5nm; Green track: 30th May, 29.6nm; Red track: 6.4nm.  Total length: 42.5nm