Jupes

Hi Ian The tide was with us all the way down and we were cruising at 24/26 knots on average. We should have probably slowed down to about 21/22 to get optimum economy??? Leg trim up +1/+2 with a following sea. Tabs 0 to 1 to balance. Still boucing more than LB thinks he would expect it to in a calmish sea state. What are your thoughts?

Wednesday 28th July We were up early yet again, as we have been everyday, which I know will shock those that know us!! And, a beautiful calm morning. Looking at the latest weather predictions, it would seem to make sense to leave earlier than we had anticipated from the plan we had made last night in order to take advantage of the blue sky and little wind and we were right, the conditions were perfect. A following sea and wind and calm, not too calm to make it boring but comfortable. However, calamity or carelessness, or hastiness struck before leaving Southwold, having untied the bow and stern lines, LB went to nose out only for us to find we had the other stern line on and we promptly nudged the Broom lying to our astern. Oh S**t. The chap was very gentlemanly and we informed Pete, the Harbour Master to pass on our details should they need to make a claim. It looked like just the rubbing strake, so we will wait and see . Our Sat Nag thingy is next to useless, so as usual we used the compass only to find LB had got his points wrong, so we navigated from the map, noticeable landmarks and buoys and did very well, phew… finding ourselves lined up perfectly between the right buoys for yachts to cross the deep water channel for ships as we approached Harwich. We think a warning must have gone out that we were on our way as there was no movement of big ships in the river at all !! I have to say, only having seen the Orwell estuary from the Orwell bridge and the road to Shotley, seeing it from the sea, this is a very pretty stretch of water and we really enjoyed our passage up to Ipswich. As we came through the lock into the wet dock at Ipswich, a seal bobbed up in front of us. We moored in Neptune Marina which has the benefit of being on the quayside of Ipswich waterfront. The waterfront is very cosmopolitan with lots of pubs, cafes, little shops, restaurants and looks lovely all lit up in the evening. Ice creams first, then a quick stop at a Tesco express, 2 mins away then back on the dinghy to nosey around the waterfront. We had a lovely dinner at the Bistro, which was absolutely packed and turning people away, good job we had booked. As I write this Lydia is fast asleep and LB is watching his portion of blood and guts having been subjected to girlie films so far !!! One thing we are a little concerned about is the amount of fuel we seem to have used. We put £170 in RNSYC at £1.05 a litre and we seem to have used what we have put in, which seems a bit heavy. Any suggestions??? Tomorrow, is a little undecided although it definitely involves a morning trip to the city centre as Lydia needs more reading material, having already read the two books she brought with her. We shall see….

Thanks David, that is actually the track we followed. It just seemed a long way out as all the yachts were playing much closer to the shore line.

No, that is in outboard hospital, aka someone who knows them inside out that LB knows. We have a borrowed one which doesn't quite cut the mustard but does the job. Ian, any further out and we could have waved to David and Perry in Belgium.

Tuesday 27th July Our wedding anniversary and I am served breakfast in bed prepared by Lydia, grapefruit and tea . We finally get our act together and give the boat a good clean inside. Lydia has plans for today which all revolve around her sailing us around in the rib. Top of the list is to take the rib up the channel, moor it and get fish and chips for lunch. So, we all get our life jackets on, lock the boat, turn towards the dinghy and it starts spitting. So, I say, forget it, I’m not going, go without me, I’m not getting wet. So off they go and the rain stops. 10 minutes later they are back, and LB says JFDI, get your lifejacket and come one, so I do……2 mins later the heavens open, LB says it’s a shower, it’s brighter ahead and keeps going, 30 seconds later, the clouds give us everything they have got and we are drenched. I lose my patience with the pair of them and ask them how they think they can eat Fish and Chips wet through and turn round now (my JFDI). It is the first time in my life, I have soaked through to my underwear, I could feel the rain just running down my back and pooling around my bum . We provided entertainment to everyone on the quay wisely sheltering under anything they could find and it was so funny, we just laughed and laughed . When we finally got back on the boat, the carpets were wet through and we had shed loads of wet towels and clothes and no way of getting them dry. Wish we hadn’t cleaned!!! Monopoly followed until the weather got better!! Another DVD finished the evening off for Lydia and passage planning for Ipswich tomorrow’ another first for us and completely solo which is quite frightening, particularly thinking about navigating the necessary channel between sandbanks to line up for the Felixstowe shipping line which I think is the busiest commercial port in the UK….. Sleep…….nightmares…….!! :

Posted while we have wifi connection, pictures will follow when we are home!! Sunday 25th July We got to the boat quite early for us Sunday morning about 9.30am. I had pre-loaded the bottled consumables – shampoo, olive oil, fairy liquid, etc, etc and clothes and things on Friday, so there was just the fresh food and essential ‘ice’ to sort and tea to be made before we left to catch that blasted bridge opening…. We passed HappyjaxII at Somerleyton moorings and spotted RobDorling in his new pride and joy just after the bridge. No marsh harriers; the first time we have done this route without seeing them. We had arranged to call into OBYS prior to exiting through Mutford Lock as we needed to call in to Jeckells to buy some chains to secure the dinghy as one of the davits has decided to malfunction, only to find Jeckells closed due to a funeral… So, LB put his boy scout cap on and secured it with loads of ropes which made us look more like the Clampitts than the Blings !! Col and Connor and some friends of theirs arrived on their dinghies and Connor and Lydia went off to the park, Lydia with strict instructions that she only had 15 mins before we needed to get to the lock. 30 mins later (a ploy that usually works in making sure she is back when we need her to be) Mutford call to say they are ready for us and no Lydia, so while Adam explains we have to find said daughter , I go looking for her!! We have an audience through the lock, aka Col, Connor and friends, so no pressure…. !! First time through the rail bridge without it needing to lift and still having about 5’ above us. Going down Lake Lothing, we hear a communication on Ch12 from a yacht which has grounded by Asda and two ribs come to its assistance to pull it off. We moor in RNSYC for the evening and get used as a fender by the boat next door coming into moor and then doesn’t even have the decency to apologise . A regular occurrence from what we heard from 6 or 7 people, so if going in there, do not take berth 4 on the inner pontoon. We made a complaint, however, we felt they seemed a little put-out that we had the audacity to complain about one of their berthholders. Shame….. the man is a liability . LB changed the oil on the engines and checked everything was shipshape and then cooked burgers on the Cobb and we watched a DVD with Lydia, before getting the computer out and checking the tides and conditions for our trip to Southwold tomorrow. More tomorrow...

Thanks Ian. We are looking forward to it!! And to everyone else going away, have a great time.

Is Ostende classified as inland waterways?

Ooooh, sounds lovely.

Does that mean Ostend is out?

Sounds rather tempting

Ooooh..... Where are you going?

We are planning a holiday from Sunday 25 July until Friday 6 August. Our intention is to spend a couple of nights at Southwold, then head to Ipswich taking in the Walton Backwaters, then back up to Woodbridge dependant on the conditions finishing off with some time at RNSYC, OB, Beccles, etc. We have never been further than Southwold before, so this will be a whole new world for us!! If anyone is interested in coming along for any or all, then please let us know.

Enjoying the tale Neil, thanks. The butchers in Loddon is rather impressive, we usually manage to spend more than we intend as we can't resist his offerings. We can honestly say that although pricey the fillet steaks are sublime yum yum yum.

Channel 6 even more so

: : :

Loved the blackbird after his bath Carol. Keep going, I am starting to learn a little more about what visits our garden from studying your photos.

Fabulous photos Carol. I also spend too much time staring out of my office window watching the birds and in the evenings the bats at dusk.

Lovely tale Neil. Thanks

Very enjoyable and great photos. Thanks.

The floor looks nice and clean

You cheeking charles!!

Fortunately, it is not us. Someone we know.

Hi Can anybody recommend anybody for the above repairs please. Thanks.