.jpg) |
| Free at last...(from term time...) |
Such is the lot of a teacher, summer holidays lead to cruising opportunities the like of which other working-folk could possibly only dream...
On Wednesday, the boss let us out at lunchtime and, by 4.30pm, I was at Pin Mill, rowing to the boat with 40 litres of freshly filled water cans, a 5 litre top up can of petrol and sufficient equipment and provisions for an overnight stop somewhere. In truth, the water and fuel is in preparation for the big cruise starting on Monday. It also acts as ballast in that I arrange the water on the cabin floor around the centre case; it certainly helps stiffen up the boat given that I usually sail single-handed.
Winds were NE F4 and, as is often the case, I began tentatively. Using jib and mizzen I sailed close-hauled, against the flood and initially with the outboard ticking over, down the Orwell. I switched off the outboard opposite Levington and it wasn't troubled again for the entire trip. Sailing around Shotley point the tide was now in my favour as
Daisy II reached up the Stour. One can be certain that jib and mizzen will do when speed tops out at 6.5kts in such conditions.
In winds of this direction, I calculated correctly on a smoothish night at anchor in Holbrook bay close to the eastern side.
 |
| Overnight victuals... |
 |
| Sunset over Holbrook School |
The sail back on 24th July, again, was characterised by NE winds, F3 initially, more like F4 as I reached Harwich harbour. It was a wonderful beat up the Stour against the remaining flood under full sail. As I returned to the Orwell, I hove-to briefly to furl the mizzen and put a few furls in the jib since some stronger gusts were coming across. Once around Collimer Point, mizzen was unfurled and I had a lovely run back to the mooring. Along the way, there a Drascombe was sighted - not sure which one but wonder if it is the longboat kept up at Woolverstone? Happy for anyone to let me know!
 |
| Unidentified Drascombe (sailing too fast for me to catch up...)! |
I also spotted my next trailer-sailing option, although I do worry about coping with the roping!
 |
| Tall ship with copious rope! |
 |
| 20.1nm, top speed 6.5kts |
Sounds like a prefect day on the Stour. Wish I was there... maybe we could pop in the Butt & Oyster, have 'a drop of Adnams' and share stories!
ReplyDelete