...implacable November weather...

Half term yielded just one opportunity for a trip, the weather towards the end of the week taking a ridiculously wet and squally turn.  True to form, as soon as schools went back, things calmed down somewhat...  Perhaps this is why I normally stop sailing at the end of October.  However, as today proved, there's still good sailing to be done...
The forecast, today, November 10th, was for rain and yet more rain.  But, given musical commitments tomorrow, there was no choice but to take a chance.  Besides which, what's the point of all that wet weather gear if it isn't used once in a while.
In the event, it did rain but not particularly heavily - and the sun tried a few times to break through but was beaten back by more mist and cloud.  Neither was the wind strong but there was sufficient for me to sail with the ebb, down the Orwell and through Harwich Harbour, even topping 5.5 knots at one point.  On the return trip, the wind truly did die, so I motored back to the mooring.  One of the advantages of sailing in November is that few other boats are around - all that water to myself...
Only when I returned to shore did the rain clear and a sunset begin to set in...

13nm, season's total: 455.6nm

November 1st weather...

I'm determined to sail on into November, in order to make up for some of the less clement weather experienced earlier this year.

The weather-scape today was extraordinary in its variation, although it could be argued that there was consistency in that showers threatened from all directions!   Luckily for me, I only really had one soaking, just after pulling away from the jetty at Pin Mill, having stopped for a bite of late lunch.  Fortunately, I could see it coming and was appropriately attired.  
These photographs show the weather taken from various directions, later at 3pm...

view south east towards Pin Mill

view north west, towards Ipswich and the Orwell Bridge

view west, towards Woolverstone Hall

view east, towards Levington

6.2nm, season's total: 442.6nm.

Trip with Mum, October 20th

Today was unusual in that I had crew - possibly for the first time, this season, on the Orwell.  Unfortunately, the wind did not oblige, and our only sailing was near the end of the trip, where we sailed across the Orwell to make the most of the little breeze which had dutifully arisen.  Otherwise, today was a flat calm with no wind whatsoever.  The engine made some very strange noises on first starting, but soon warmed up and ticked over nicely as we made our way downstream, against the tide, to a picnic on the shingle shore just short of Shotley Point, opposite Trinity Container Terminal.

Me with Daisy II, container ships in background

Mum seal spotting

Daisy II hiding

7.6nm; Season's total, 436.2nm

October 14, quick sail and a drive

Following commitments at home, this weekend, there was only really time for a quick afternoon sail, by which time a strong ebb had already set.  I quickly gave up on any idea of sailing against both the tide and a firm F3/4 breeze, and ate lunch as I motored upstream.  After this, I had a gentle sail back to the mooring.

4.3nm, Season's total: 428.6nm

At this point, the tide was already disappearing from the end of Pin Mill Hard, so I went back ashore, and drove round to have a look at Holbrook Creek from land, something I'd never previously done, although I have, once or twice, looked in from sea.  Amongst many fine boats, I counted four Drascombes.

Drascombes at Holbrook Creek

Holbrook Creek, looking south west

Holbrook Creek, looking south

Holbrook Creek; more Drascombes; looking south east

Note to self: must return by sea and stop for an evening...