Daisy II: Drascombe Rally

Sunday, 30 June 2019

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.

Monday, 3 September 2018

Walton Backwaters - Drascombe Association Rally, 31st August - 2nd September

Sunday lunch at Stone Point

Ten participating boats:
Coasters: Daisy II, Dewiniaeth, Kathleen
Dabbers: Lily, Teal, Bob'n'Annie, Blue Teal
Luggers: Rita May, Petrel
BC23: Kestrel

White track, Friday 31st August (12.0nm); Red track, Saturday 1st Sept (13.2nm); White track, Sunday 2nd (10.2nm); Total track length: 40.0nm

Friday 31st August - trip from River Orwell to Titchmarsh Marina, Walton Backwaters
Just because it was possible, I decided to launch over in the Orwell. Part of the fun of the Walton Backwaters is the trip across Dovercourt Bay over to the Walton Backwaters. Unfortunately, I hadn't planned the tides very carefully and ended up motoring against the flood down the Orwell and, once in the Backwaters, against the ebb up the Walton Channel. Still, it was a splendid sail across the bay from Harwich.

12.0nm

Saturday 1st September - cruising in the Backwaters, trip to Beaumont Quay

Daisy II leaving Titchmarsh Marina (courtesy of J. Peal)

Today, we left Titchmarsh soon after LW at 11am. Winds were SE F3/4. Sailing against the new flood out of the Walton Channel, we picked up the flood into Hamford Water. After a bit of to and fro', we reached Landermere Quay, anchoring for lunch.
Dabbers amongst us helped those that could to reach the historic Beaumont Quay, the western most point of the navigation.
Afterwards, with some flood still left, we sailed back down Landermere Creek, into Kirby Creek and across Horsey Mere, succeeding in crossing The Wade around HW at 4pm.

Bob'n'Annie in Hamford Water

Kestrel slipping along gracefully

Dewinaeth and Petrel

Blue Teal

Petrel

Bob'n'Annie

Kathleen

Dabbers moored at Beaumont Quay

Lily taking to oar-power

Beaumont Quay - stones laid in the 1820s, recycled from the old London Bridge

Drascombes departing Landermere Creek

Dewinaeth

Bob'n'Annie

Blue Teal and Bob'n'Annie

Blue Teal leans into Kirby Creek!

Kestrel and Dewinaeth in Kirby Creek

Dewinaeth

Bob'n'Annie

Lily

13.2nm

Sunday 2nd September - lunch at Stone Point; departures...

Rita-Mae

Today, a slightly reduced fleet repeated our trip along the Walton Channel, having another play in Hamford Water, before pulling up at Stone Point for lunch. Thereafter, the fleet departed its various ways, some back to Titchmarsh, others back to the Orwell.