Early 2023 sailing

 

The first two sails of 2023 were from Woolverstone Marina.

River Orwell, Harwich Harbour.  29-30 April

This trip involved a sail out through Harwich Harbour and then back, in fairly benign conditions.

I dried out for the night just off Woolverstone and then pulled her back onto the trailer the following morning.

23.3nm

Woolverstone to Suffolk Yacht harbour - 3-4 June

This trip resulted in a welcome rendezvous with Amazon, with whom I have previously sailed.

Winds were quite strong and from the north east so, following some pleasant sailing on the Orwell, I decided to purchase a berth in Suffolk Yacht Harbour for a comfortable night, prior to a return to car/trailer the next morning.

Amazon's skipper was able to take some video of Daisy III, which feature below after my own offering.

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.

Shakedown Cruise, River Orwell, 8-9 April

8-9 April, 2022

This was a brief weather window in which to spend time afloat, prior to the arrival of a new puppy at home!

Launching at Woolverstone, I rather foolishly anchored for the night on the far shore of Collimer Point and, as the tide came in overnight, had a bumpy time.  I ought to know better.

The next day was a bit on the gusty side at times for my liking, but a enabled brief jaunt in the Stour before returning to base.

So, that will be it for a few months whilst pup is trained… 

Red track: 5.9nm, Green track (day 2): 13.1nm

Summer cruise, 1-5 August

 

I didn't really get round to writing up this cruise; hopefully the pictures and tracks will be sufficient...

Day 1: 1.6nm; Day 2: 35.3nm

Ever Given, the ship that blocked Suez, finally makes it to Felixstowe, and I happened to be a part of the flotilla of boats to greet her....!

Day 3: 36nm

Day 4: 27.2nm

Total track (incl Day 5: 1nm) 101.1nm

Summer cruise, 17-22 July, Harwich

At anchor, opposite Cob Island, Aldeburgh

Saturday 17th July

The school term ended pleasingly early on 16th July.  The next day, with the intention of using the late afternoon tide, I set off for the coast.  Initially intending to launch at Bradwell, long delays by road forced a last minute change to Woolverstone Marina.  This is more expensive, but closer.

Initial manœuvres below the Orwell Bridge

Evening victuals at anchor off 'The Cliff', near Pin Mill

The wildlife impressed!

Sunsets always a special treat!

Day 1: 6.0nm

Sunday 18th July

Winds for the week were disappointingly easterly, although the promise was for a steady, gentle breeze.  Easterlies cause loppy seas so discourage long coastal hops.  Whereas I'd like to have ventured further afield, on this cruise I decided to say within the Harwich area.  Today, it made sense to use the morning ebb to sail up the coast.  Motor sailing helped negotiate the tricky entrance at Orford Haven.  Then, the flood tide provided a welcome beat up the River Ore into the River Alde at Aldeburgh.

I've used the anchorage opposite Cob Island before but found the walk into Aldeburgh tricky to find.  Recent housing developments have now made this landing point (the Old Brick Dock Jetty - the jetty for which is now a load of rotting wooden stumps) much easier to use, with a couple of clear options for walking into town.  (photo at the top of this blog post)

Day 2: 27.4nm

Monday 19th July

Having successfully accessed a supermarket in the morning, the tide was now ebbing, so I reached down the Ore, back along the coast and decided to make passage up the River Stour to a favourite anchorage between Harkstead Point and the village of Harkstead.

View from the hatch.

Day 3: 25.7nm

Tuesday 20th July

The remaining flood tide of the morning, along with very gentle easterly winds made for a very pleasant run up the Stour.  Opposite Mistley, the tide had turned and, with the easterly now moving through the gears, I had a pleasant beat back down towards Harwich Harbour, and then across Dovercourt Bay into the Walton Backwaters.  

The forecast gave warnings of thunderstorms, and I needed to restock with fresh food, so I booked a berth in Titchmarsh Marina - it seemed a sensible option, and the calm and security of the marina was more than welcoming.  

I'm sure I've been in this berth before...

More victuals.  There is a new Aldi supermarket about 1.5 miles walk from the marina.

Day 4: 20.4nm

Wednesday 21st July

Thunderstorms didn't really get going, although there was some rain.  I wasn't ready to end the cruise, but had an option of a second night at Titchmarsh, so enjoyed a day sail from this location, initially with the remaining flood up Landemere Creek, and then out into Dovercourt Bay.

Day 5: 24.1nm

Thursday 22nd July

It was time to end the cruise so, departing the marina at 0530, I motored against the flood out of the Backwaters.  I had a go at sailing, but the wind was not really strong enough, so I opted to motor all the way back to Woolverstone.  The engine behaved well - just as well, for the money it cost...

Day 6: 12.3nm

Overall trip: 115.9nm