Saturday, 6 July 1988

Intention to have a few days cruising DCA style on Gannet. The Havengore bridge was out of action, so over to the Medway. It was HW at 4.49 pm, 5.4 m of tide, wind WNW 4+, a good one. Sailed on one tack to H/Way Yacht Club — Southend — and then cut across the Thames to Stangate Creek, Medway — a distance of about 9 sea miles. Put in a tack as we came about and sailed close to the point and touched the putty. This caused the mizzen to gybe round with a bang against the starboard aft shroud. It bust at the top rivet fixing on the null — I lashed it up with nylon to the quarter cleat — very handy. Then motored off a bit on the sharp side — rather like lee shores! All was well; sailed down the middle of Stangate past Sharfleet Creek and down to Funton. We anchored near Chetney Island. Not very good holding ground — the weather was warm and dry, with some cloud about. The wind died away in the evening as we got the stove going, cooked our meal and brewed the tea. We were able to watch lots of waders dibbing in the mud banks for food. It turned into a lovely evening with a good sunset. Then it was up tent — we sat by the zip door till dusk. Being Saturday, there were lots of yotties anchored there. 10 pm — we got our heads down — peaceful night.

Sunday, 7 July HW 4.40 pm, wind light SW

It was very hot and sunny all day long (cries of disbelief). Some people we knew with lovely yellow-painted Kestrel cruiser moved off, giving us a wave. We moved to pick up a buoy where they were. The only one there, bit of a crafty move this — no muddy anchor and warp when we do move. Sunbathed all day, ate and drank when we wanted and went over the side for three swims. There’s a good flow of current here, both on the rise and fall so I tied a warp to one of our tenders and we used that as a safety rope to hang on to. It was hard work getting aboard, even though I had made a one-foot stirrup. I shall make a MK II for two feet! Lots of dunlin and curlew about and one lone heron standing in the shallows hunting. All boats were away by the afternoon. We lounged and heard the tennis final on the trany — it was a lovely day and we now had the place to ourselves again — a good night’s sleep.

Monday, 8 July HW 5.31, 5.2 m, Wind NW

We left Funton Creek at 10.30 am and sailed to Upnor. The weather hot and sunny again! We had a good sail and arrived at 2 pm, having tacked all the while — landed at the Medway Yacht Club hard, filled up our water containers and had a cuppa and signed the visitor’s book. The club bosun, who’s name is Bob, fixed us up with a temp. mooring and also loaned us his dinghy so we could get ashore. The wind had gone now to round off the day and we motored down to Rochester, past Sun Pier and back for a look around, then back to the mooring. Before we could pick up, we had got a plastic bag round the prop and had run out of fuel at the same time — things as they say got a bit hectic for a while. Once again, there is a very strong run of tide here and lots of boats on moorings — all was well. We refuelled and got the motor started again when a nice piece of rope wrapped itself around the prop (get oars out said Joan) — dear, dear — panic stations yet again. We made it and moored up having got very green and slimy and muddy from the link rope between the two buoys. Not to worry — we rowed ashore and had a swim and, after a quick shower at club it was still hot and sunny!

Back to the boat for food and brew (I like tea — best drink in the world). Oh! the sheer luxury of sitting there, watching the world go by in the ‘dimsey’ watching the setting sun. We posed for a gaggle of amateur photographers loaded with gear, taking low-lighting pictures. The club canteen lady’s name is Dolly, just in case you use the place — a lovely club with a superb view of the river.

Tuesday, 9 July HW 6.15, wind N strong 5

Weather VERY HOT AND SUNNY. Left Upnor at 9.30 am, using genny and mizzen, with a following wind once clear of the moorings. Up mainsail, sailed between Hoo and Dartness Flats, following the buoys — a good sail. Arrived at Queenborough at 11.45, landing at the hard slipway with a thump — no damage. Tied up and walked ashore. This is a very long slipway — found toilets, petrol (no 2 star), milk and pie & chips. These we took back to the boat and ate as we got underway, down the Swale to the road bridge that crosses to Sheppey.

Hoisted a bucket up the mast to let the bridgekeeper know we wanted to go through. Had to wait as a train was due to cross, so anchored up by the north shore. We didn’t have long to wait as the bridge gave us the green and off we went again under genny and mizzen, like a rocket under, what with tide and wind going at a fair clip. With the following wind we ran the length of the Swale, passing boat clubs, creeks, factories. It was very shallow, very nice and few craft about. The overcast sky of Queenborough was breaking again and out came the sun! Much later, we anchored at Harty Ferry. It had become very windy and rough — had a cuppa (decision time). We attempted to sail to the Columbine buoy, but after getting past Sand-Fall buoy and opposite Sheerness it really was a bit much — with big waves and wind over tide conditions. We could do no circumnavigation today — ready about — we surfed back from whence we came. Harty was rough, so we motored in to Oare Creek, a haven out of the wind. We tied up to an old sailing barge now used as home by a large gent and his wife. He helped us moor up as the tide was away and we were in just inches of water on top of the main channel. Our mentor had a soft spot for people in 16’ boats. The old tin opener came out and it was curry, new potatoes and peas — it never touched the sides!! After this very important chore, we got the tent up before the damp came down, walked across the deck of the barge, which was enormous. I wondered how they wriggled in the Essex creek under sail? Walked the path to the village of Clare and used the phone. Then back up to the point and the Shipwrights Arms. This was an old bargees’ pub way back, but a bit spoilt now. Nevertheless, a pleasant spot to be out of the wind. Still warm and sunny. Eventually wandered back to the boat, then we, as they say, ‘crashed down’.

Wednesday, 10 July 4.8 m, wind still N

Awake at 5 am just got away from our spot before being neaped. Said cheerio to our host and motored out, picking up a buoy opposite Harty Ferry. Again it was hot and sunny. We breakfasted then sunbathed till one hour to low water. Off at 11.45 under sail, again making our way out to the Thames. The wind went light and headed us. It took the rest of the day with sail and a little motor now and then to cross over the river. We shaped a course via Hamgat, with half plate past the wrecks to the Spile, took a picture with the crew in her sun hat. We headed over to the South Shoebury buoy and Bun Island, which was created when the Maplin Airport was on the go — praise be it never happened — hooray, as we neared the island and we got some breeze. About mid channel we saw the ST ship Royalist under motor. Anchored at the back of the island and swam — 7 pm and still hot. The wind came in strong from the south and we were sheltered. We ate mackerel we had caught earlier in the day; up tent, two inflatable rollers under the hull — zzzzz to the sound of the terns and gulls.

Thursday, 11 July SW 7.48, warm and cloudy, some sun, wind SW strong

We were up late, washed and had a cuppa when — we heard this noise. I put my head out of the tent and, lo and behold, there was a large hovercraft complete with army and police aboard — nic nic nic! “Would you please leave sir, as you are delaying the day’s firing on Foulness Island.” Apparently, we were within the range area... bother — I had hoped to spend a complete day off there. Oh well, down tent, on rudder, run outboard —the tide by now was 2 hours away. Should we head into the main channel and the rough or keep Stinky buzzing and head over the shallows back to our mooring at Southend, 6 sea miles sway. I chose the latter as we didn’t want the sails full of holes! We set off, but sailed to within 200 yards of our mooring — nice warm day — anchored, rollers under and had a belated breakfast. This done, I left Renee with boat and walked the mud with our spare gear and took it back to the car in a dinghy and trolley, the idea being that when the tide came in we had little to do but… the tide came in early. Once afloat, I tried to motor to the mooring, when, would you believe, we got more rope round the prop. I hopped over the side with the saw edged bread knife and cut us free — enough is enough — we both got in the water and towed the boat back to the mooring. Renee waded ashore as I tidied up the boat and covered her up.

It was a case of fish and chips and drive home!