End of career mini-cruise 18-21 July

 

Little wind across Dovercourt Bay, returning from Harwich

So, after 33 years, it is time to hang up the mortarboard and take permanent rest from the chalk face.  Much more sailing to come - hopefully, this cruise is just the start of it!

Tuesday….Launching at Bradwell, two attempts were made to depart from the Blackwater, the first being thwarted by leaving the iPad in the car!  Winds were southerly which made for lumpy sea conditions and, as usual, I left it a little bit too late to take the rest of the ebb up to Harwich.  So, I anchored in at Pyefleet for the night.

Wednesday…early start, at 0430, motoring up the Wallet to Harwich.  Winds emerged, finally, off Walton for a reach across Dovercourt.  A brief coffee-stop inside the breakwater in Harwich Harbour was followed by a pleasant beat up the Stour, eventually anchoring in the lee of Stutton Ness.

Thursday…early start at 0500, moving to a deeper anchorage for further sleep.  Then, motoring across to Walton before a light south easterly set in for a slow,  but pleasant trip back to the Colne.  A brief trip up the Colne before an about turn into the southerly, beating back to Pyefleet.

Friday…north easterly F4, reefed main with furled mizzen.  Trip back across to Bradwell.  Anchorage opposite the marina for successful deployment of new, electronic pump for water ballast removal.  Return to slip and to dry land.

87.8nm