Tuesday, 25 July 2017

Summer holiday shakedown cruise

Another snap at Snape.  I had planned to sail further north, but the weather wasn't right, so I nipped in through Orford Haven and, once again, found myself here.
So, school is done for another year and the plan, as usual, is to do as much sailing as possible.  There is a plan for a longer cruise and that may or may not happen - entirely weather dependent.  If it does, these pages will be the first to report it.  In the mean time, the past few days have been a chance to shake off term time and grab a taste of some sea air!
69.3nm
 Sunday 23rd July
The galley in action...



Monday 24th July - trip to Snape

And then it rained...




Tuesday 25th July - return to the Orwell via Old Harwich
Following yesterday's rain, an early start at 5.30am, and a pleasant return trip out through Orford Haven and back down the coast to the Orwell. Winds were NW F3-5.
I love the shapes of these shifting sands - view towards Orford Haven from within.
The entrance to Orford Haven always has its challenges.  It was good to leave today without using the engine - although conditions were relatively calm, the sea was still very troubled by testing overfalls just beyond the red Oxley navigation marker.  Still, as ever, Daisy II took it all in her stride and, with full main alone, I sailed out to sea and down the coast.
There's plenty of room for us both...

Surprisingly vacant Halfpenny Pier

Daisy II returns to the Orwell (photos courtesy of Dave)





















Tuesday, 11 July 2017

Drascombe Golden Jubilee rally, 7-9 July 2017



The Drascombe fleet working its way from Portland across to Lulworth Cove.  I think Daisy II is the left hand boat in the foreground.  It was becoming quite loppy by that stage
This rally was in celebration of fifty years of Drascombes.  The first, Katharine Mary, was built and launched by the late John Watkinson in 1967.  I wasn't going to miss this large gathering of Drascombes, organised by Churchouse Boats.  
39.8nm  Red track was from 7th July - the trip to Lulworth Cove.  The yellow track was a bit of fun racing in Portland Harbour followed by free sailing in and around Weymouth Bay.
Safe launching at Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy.  Why don't they have slipways like this on the east coast...?



Friday July 7th; trip to Lulworth Cove



Drifter Pellew on the trip to Lulworth Cove



Pellew and Daisy II on the final stretch into Lulworth Cove

Daisy II on the right and a large section of the fleet.




The Dorset Jurassic Coast


Anchored in Lulworth Cove


Drascombers at rest!!

Leaving Lulworth Cove

Berthed at WPNSA

A land trip up to the top of Portland, looking back north towards the harbour, Chesil Beach and Weymouth.

Berthing view




Saturday - sailing in Portland Harbour and Weymouth Bay
Drascombe manouevres - technically a race with no wind!




Occasionally, a puff of wind filled a portion of the sail




More racing!





After 'racing' I sailed out of the harbour and round to Weymouth Bay. 
Drascombe rafts in Weymouth Bay






Coaster Virginia which featured, under its former ownership, in these pages on one of my summer cruises.






And here are the pictures of what it's all about.  The first Drascombe, lugger Katharine Mary restored by Churchouse Boats.
Katharine Mary, fifty years young...!





Your author with beer before supper

Another first for me - the Drascombe Service on the final morning, prior to departure and the return 5 hour road trip!