![]() |
| 13.6nm, Season's total 257.1nm |
As luck would have it, a dirty great low pressure system parked itself over the British Isles, doing its best to scupper rally plans. However, a number of hardy boats stood up to mother nature, and went for a Saturday sail across to the Ray Channel which runs west of Mersea Island, anchoring in the lee of the northern tip of Ray Island. This provided welcome shelter from F5-6 south westerly winds, but the rain still poured throughout lunchtime. Highlights included a perfectly executed manoeuvre, choreographed by Steve Maynard, leading to the fusion of two separate rafts of boats. A couple of boats, Drifter
Moonstone VIII and Coaster
Pamela peeled away soon after high tide, making a dash for Bradwell, but coasters
Spray,
Virginia and
Daisy II stayed a while longer, and were rewarded by the best weather of the weekend, and a fantastic thrash against wind and tide on the return trip to Bradwell, topping out at 7.7knts (although, to be fair, this was when we were being pulled out to sea by the ebb - should have stuck to the shallower waters of the northerly shore - I live and learn!).
Other than this, much good company, including a barbecue on Saturday evening, kindly hosted by Bradwell Quay Yacht Club, and a Sunday walk along the sea wall to 'St Peter's on the Wall' Chapel. By then, the F5-7 forecast with squally, thundery showers had pretty much put an end to further sailing...as well as my camera, which still won't work, despite the airing cupboard treatment...
...but at least we managed some sailing the day before.
Pictures of skipper's briefing, Saturday morning, kindly supplied by David Lewin:
And another snap, the only one so far of some sailing action, kindly donated by Nick Payne:
 |
| Drifter: Moonstone VIII |
 |
| Coaster: Virginia |
 |
| Yours truly |
 |
| Gin palace! |
 |
| Evening social, Bradwell Quay Yacht Club |
 |
| Barbecue and rain, an inevitable combination... |
 |
| recovery of Sapphire |
 |
| No, you need to put hands on knees like that.... |
 |
| Typical weatherscape... |
 |
| St Peter's chapel |
No comments:
Post a Comment