pks1702

Nice pictures John. Did you get the calling of the sea again

Next edition of this excellent publication. For those interested in crossing the Spitway an informative update. http://www.eastcoastsailing.co.uk/ECS11-DPS.pdf

We were very lucky with the weather Jim given the summer to that point, in fact I am going to claim to be the catalyst for change to the current pattern

And not a White Stiletto in sight I posted a few phone pictures while we were on the move but now back a few more. We had decided this year to give the continent a miss and explore some of the places closer to home that were on our list. Had a great run down down to Burnham a very quaint little place that comes alive when Yacht Racing is happening as it was the Saturday PM we arrived. Burnham Yacht Harbour is to be thoroughly recommended the staff are first class. The bonus is that the Swallowtail Restaurant is also excellent, we had two meals and could not fault the quality or service. We stayed a few days and thoroughly explored the place, the weather was very kind given our summer up to that point. From there we headed up to Fambridge Yacht Haven which can be accessed from circa 1.25 hours after MLWS. Again the staff were very accommodating (something we found in general in North Essex). Fambridge YH is very quiet with great views and just the Oyster Catchers and other birds life making the noise. The Ferry pub is excellent very homely with good food & beer. From here we took the tenders up to Battlesbridge a trip of 1.25 hours each way, the river was teaming with fish in the upper reaches. Our navigation was stopped by a weir and I had no desire to go White Water Rafting! From Fambridge we headed up the Roach which has shelter in almost every direction and picked up a buoy at Paglesham. We enjoyed an idyllic evening here popping into the pub Jamie Oliver's parents run which was a 10 minute walk from tendering ashore it got a thumbs up from all of us. It was a very peaceful night with just the trickle of the flowing tide under the hull and a very still morning. At 0812 (2012) we listened to see if we could here any bells being rung to celebrate the opening of the Olympics sure enough in the distance we could here two churches joining in. We headed back to Burham for a couple more days before taking a weather window (the best we could see) back up to Ipswich. The West forecast wind had blown East our journey was a beam sea which was uncomfortable buit was only going to deteriorate over the following days. Not wanting to head back to Shotley we had a couple of days at Ipswich to round of our holiday. A few photos strung together. A few higher res images Don't cut the Channel to port at BYH.... Entrance with Sunset Point (the cage) on the left this has seats and it a popular place to watch the sun go down Burnham Broads Cruiser complete with Furuno Radar, Simpson Davits, and a mansized Windlass New BBQ getting an Airing. It all folds down to go in a carrying bag which fits in the lazerette Fambridge Sunset Low Tide at Fambridge YH Heading into Battlesbridge Seals at Paglesham Our buoy was a Hawser with various pick ups, it looked a dogs breakfast but we were going nowhere! What do you expect for a 'deep sea' including half a dozen eggs.... Jamie's Parents 'Gaff' The food was not half bad; I just had Bread & Cheese Paglesham Sunset Peaceful Very Sheltered anchorage at Devils Reach Heading Home over the Spitway; Swin Spitway Buoy

Yes Jonny you did and it was

Good spot Jonny. Just had a look and it is Kiki entering Ipswich Wet Dock. We had just headed up from Burnham on Crouch. About 8.30 into the programme. Thanks again

No lock at Southwold Jonny. Nice town to visit in the car but not my cup of tea on a boat. I will try to find the link and see. You know your boats do have no doubt it is our ship. Thanks for the heads up.

Hi Jonny TV Fame at last Where was the footage taken?

With the forecast changing its mind over the last days we decided to head back north this morning. Left Burnham at 6 am knowing we would be punching the tide but it gave the best option for the best conditions. We did have concerns given the amount of East in yesterdays breeze that there would be some residual. Made the approx 9 mile trip out of the Crouch pilotage made more difficult by the sun in the east making buoy spotting more problematic. At the Crouch entrance our concerns were justified as we were met with certainly bigger seas and stronger winds than forecast. A beam sea all the way back to the Orwell made for a bit of an uncomfortable journey but perfectly doable but uncomfortable. Saw forumites Mbird & Happy Jax on our way up the Orwell.

Looking forward to the next installments Paul.

Hi Ian, There was a substantial dog leg coming into Stone Point which saw you heading for the very end of the point and then when 30-50 meters from the point a sharp dog leg to starboard running diagonally across where the old channel was before straightening up as normal. This was still the way of things around 3 weeks ago when we were round there. My understanding is that the dredging will be carried out between 9 & 11 buoys (the two Greens around Stone Point) 16 (Plumtree) is the Red between these two and I think removed while the dredging takes place just to make it easier. I suspect they will try to 'straighten' the approach to more like that of the 2008 chart http://www.eastcoastrivers.com/wp-conte ... pril08.pdf But I guess we won't know the exact position until it is completed on or just after 31st July. One thing is for sure it will be a significant improvement and open up both anchoring opportunities and the tidal window to transit the point.

I am led to believe they give something similar to the forces when on service

Some good news Courtesy of W&FYC

That's the one Clive fully specced for sea.

Certainly did Wayne I just wish I had some inside knowledge sadly it was luck! It looks like our luck is about to run out as it is on the turn in the next few days. We had a run up to the Roach where Rachel had organised with the boatyard at Paglesham a couple of swinging moorings. Plenty of Seals on the way round. Fortunately both wind and tide were in the same direction making picking up a buoy straight forward in the two knot flood. We broke out the tenders to find Gary who organised the moorings and paid the princely sum of £5 each.... We gave him a couple of pints on top and in return he fetched some fresh eggs from his Chickens for us; super chap. Jamie Oliver's parents own the Plough & Sail in Paglesham which really is the centre of the village. It was too good an opportunity to pass by. The food was excellent and the local 'Wench' ale superb. The prospect of another pint was turned down before the tide left the tenders high and dry another 30 mins we would have been mud skippers. Super sunset with just the sounds of the Oyster Catchers Lapwings and cows lowing. This and the trickle of water passing the hull is all that can be heard. I can see why Maurice Griffiths waxed lyrical about some of the East Coast Swatchways. He used to find himself a quiet spot and let his yacht go aground so he could enjoy the quiet tranquility get out his typewriter and put it into words.

It is tough but we are doing our best to cope Took the tenders to Battlesbridge yesterday around 1.5 hours each way we had to slow to ensure the flood tide gave us enough water in the upper reaches. It was good to be out on the water and get a bit of breeze. We are certainly hoping the weather continues, we are due some.

Oh yes and a set of Simpson Davis and a Lewmar winch. Dont all broads boats have these

Had a steady tootle up to North Fambridge today. Superb weather but a reasonably stiff sea breeze. Spent the morning with assistance of David trying to find out why our Waeco fridge had conked out. After having the fridge out testing connections and tracing back the wiring checking earths and connections /sleeving we could not find the fault except that we had current at the fridge connection but it would not allow any ampage to be drawn. Clearly some sort of fault in that system, time and tools did not allow us to run new cabling. We do however have a fully working circuit and switch on the helm powered should we ever want to add a cockpit fridge so we able to change the power out connections on the 12v junction box from current fridge circuit and connect what was the cockpit and bingo. Before this we had removed the fridge and tested on a 12v system on Kingfisher just to make sure the fridge was ok, which thankfully it was Looking to take the tenders up to Battlesbridge tomorrow and make the best of this great weather. There is a live aboard Broads boat here ex Horning Pleasure craft I sure our hire boat experts will identify it.

Hi James Yes we are out and about for the next couple of weeks. Probably head up to Fambridge and break out the tenders, then no set plans. May go around to the Blackwater or go and explore my old stamping grounds on the north Kent coast and Medway. It makes a change to have no set plan and go where you feel (or the weather allows)

Steady run down to Burnham this morning. Spitway had 5-6 feet at 45 mins after LW. First proper weather in around 3 months just great to see and feel the sun.

Well done Ricco's. It is this sort of 'going the extra mile' that keeps folks going back. One of the benefits of having 'family' (said in an East Enders type voice) heavily involved in the business.

Nice job Geoff

Looks like on top of everything else John you have organised the weather Hope you all have a great time. We will hopefully be in the Crouch by the time you kick off.

I find the best (and cleanest) is by using a Pela suction pump. You can either put the tube down into the dipstick hole or get a piece of rubber tube that fits snugly around the end of the Pela tube and also over the dipstick outlet forming a tight fit and vacuum. It is then a case of pumping it out and having a spare canister to tip it into.