OK so picking this up from where I left off.... the QDJ Flotilla.
Arrived at Shotley on Friday evening to find the wind increasing the forecast for Saturday night was even stronger although it was supposed to ease slightly by early afternoon Sunday.
It was touch and go on Sunday but all involved decided we needed to do our bit so some 20 odd boats locked out in a strong North Easterly (No mean feat in itself) and mustered off the posts until all were out and proceeded up river.
As usual despite the Orwell/Stour confluence being 'sloppy' it soon flattened out up river. All boats were dressed and some were even playing patriotic music
We cruised down to Royal Harwich which was the turn point, I am not sure which one of our yacht club had arranged this but RHYC did not seem impressed that we had to go through their dingy race twice mind you if you will race in the navigation what can you expect By the time we got back into the lock from a very lumpy Harwich harbour (Strong NE wind against ebbing spring tide) the sun had come out for us.
Sadly my camera died (now resurrected) so I got very few shots however Carron did I have 'pinched' a few to give you a flavour of the day. Binkys prop is giving a bit of grief so given the weather Phil & Carron 'blagged' a lift on Kingfisher which was probably the most sensible move of the day.
Kingfisher with Royal company
And on Kiki
The weather was grim before the sun though
It was raining so hard we just left the fenders stowed on the decks as it was a 'chug' up the river.
In the evening we had a 1950's street party upstairs in The Shipwreck complete with Skiffle Band and period dress
On Monday evening Shotley joined in the Beacon lighting
A generally wet and cold weekend but the best made of it.