September 2009 - Suffolk / Essex
The September 2009 trip started on Friday evening at Levington Marina, on the River Orwell between Felixstowe and Ipswich. We chartered a Jeanneau Performance 36i from East Anglian Sea School. Within an hour of joining the yacht, we set off and had a gentle cruise to Woolverstone.
On Saturday morning, we had perfect conditions for a broad reach to Bradwell Marina, on the River Blackwater. On the way we took in views of Walton Tower, Frinton, Clacton pier and Mersea Island and landed early enough to shower, change and get a cheeky beer. The evening was spent in the Green Man pub, bringing back some fond memories for Noel, who worked in Bradwell as a sailing instructor 20 years earlier and mis-spent numerous hours there. Sunday stared with a gentle cruise out of the Blackwater, while eating a nice bacon sandwich. Winds freshened in the afternoon, and we had to take a reef but made the River Stour for lunch. Anchored off Holbrook we took in views of the Royal Hospital School, the HMS Ganges mast at Shotley, and Harwich Ferry terminal. |