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