End of 2022 sailing

As it turns out, 2022 wasn't a particularly productive sailing year.  For various reasons which aren't worth writing about, other things took priority.  However, I did manage two further trips

Walton Backwaters, Rivers Orwell and Stour, 3-5 August

This trip illustrates one of the causes of the lack of sailing - the introduction of Kizzy, the English Springer Spaniel to our life!  We're working on her sea legs, but she is more interested in swimming in rather than floating on the water…!

I launched on 3rd of August at Titchmarsh Marina, and sailed over to the Orwell, overnighting opposite Suffolk Yacht Harbour.  

The next day, Sally, Gilly and Kizzy joined me for a lovely sail up the Orwell, beaching opposite Woolverstone so Kizzy could have a run around.  I then dropped off the girls at SYH before sailing round to the Stour, overnighting in Ewarton Bay.  Finally, I sailed back to Titchmarsh.

Dried out in Ewarton Bay.

34.2nm

Hickling Broad and Horsey Mere, 20-22 August

Again, with Kizzy aboard, we did some sailing on the Norfolk Broads.  

For the first time, I launched at Martham boatyard, who were most accommodating, particularly since it was also 'changeover' day.  Excellent, sheltered slip and good parking for car/trailer.

I collected Sally and Kizzy from Hickling, and we sailed round to Horsey Mill for the night.

Unfortunately, the trip resulted in breakages to the mainsail track slides on Horsey Mere, so rather less sailing happened after that…

16.4nm

Whilst I was always on the look out for further sailing opportunities in the Autumn, it just didn't happen, so Daisy III was wrapped up for the winter.

Hickling Broad and Horsey Mere

Daisy III on Horsey Mere

Entering Meadow Dyke from Horsey Mere

Leaving the moorings at Horsey Windpump

More sailing on Horsey Mere

Hickling Broad - successfully avoiding weed

Running short of sailing opportunities now.  Launched at Whispering Reeds boatyard on Saturday morning.  Sailed through to Horsey Mere, where we had a good time colouring in this delightful corner of the Broads, and then mooring up for an overnight stop.

Return trip on Sunday.

Saturday 18th: red track, 8nm; Sunday 19th: white track, 6.6nm; total track: 14.6nm

Hickling Broad - Drascombe Association rally

Boating huddle in Catfield Dyke

This year's Drascombe Association Norfolk Broads rally took place at Hickling Broad, based at the staithe outside The Pleasureboat Inn.

Participating boats included:

BayCruiser 20: Daisy III

Dabber: Tamarisk, Virginia

Luggers: Rita May, Little Egret, Windhover, Jimbo

Coasters: Tangram, Kathleen, Egret, Prawnpipe

Lune Pilot: Grebe

Moorings at The Pleasureboat Inn

Daisy III

The weekend followed the usual plan, with a Saturday sail around to Horsey Mere.  Unfortunately, Hickling Broad is more difficult to enjoy these days, clogged up as it is with weed.  The Broads Authority will say this is a positive thing, since the water is clearly less polluted.  Sailors' needs are clearly not particularly high on the list of priorities.  For Daisy III, sailing proved particularly testing as I grappled with a new boat, with design features such as a forward inclined rudder which unhelpfully hooks the weed with some alacrity...  Still, I had fun and much pleasure was had by the other boats too.

Saturday lunchtime moorings at Horsey Mill

After lunch, the brisk SE winds allowed a general run back to base.

Jimbo 

Jimbo heels!

Stately progress across Horsey Mere by Tangram and Prawnpipe

Prawnpipe

Daisy III using the reed-sifted breeze to meander along Meadow Dyke

On the way back, a few boats took a turn up Catfield Dyke - hence the picture at the top of this post.

Daisy III heading along the narrow Catfield Dyke

On Sunday, many boats worked their way along to Potter Heigham.  Daisy III spent much time untangling weed from the hull, and stopped for elevenses in Deep Go Dyke, before returning to Hickling and hauling out.

Red track - Saturday trip to Horsey Mill; Yellow track, trip back via Catfield Dyke.  Green track - Sunday sailing to Deep Go Dyke.  Total track length: 11.2nm