The previous holiday weekend was most indifferent weatherwise and as the forecasts were for gloom if not doom on this following weekend, to be honest, I would not have ventured out on the Friday ebb from Woodbridge, had not my name been clearly published in the Bulletin as ‘co-ordinator’.

I was alone on the river with a perfect, close reaching breeze across a favourable tide and the evening sunshine reflecting from the sparkling water. What a joy it was to have the length of the waterway to myself and my little Torch dinghy. I selected a remote mooring above Felixstowe and commenced the domestic duties at a leisurely pace, drinking in the sound of birdcalls in the stillness, as the breeze died away. An orange horizon dissolved up into a pale blue, then progressively darker blues until the inky black of the overhead sky where hung the solitary bright moon. Looking down at the perfect reflection I noticed an unusual effect in the water. A single thin, glowing pencil line of phosphorescence was drawn round the hull at a distance of about 200 millimetres showing the point where the stationary water interfaced with the moving stream of the river.

The morning was all sunshine and I had the luxury of not having arranged the rendezvous until 1030. After the full fried breakfast I rowed up to Felixstowe where it was already hot enough for ice cream. I sat on the shingle looking seaward for any incoming DCA craft, then returned to my boat to attempt sailing out to the bar assisted by only the lightest of breezes. In the midst of this exercise I was hailed by Peter Small and Werner Cook arriving from their early start at Woolverstone on the Orwell. They picked up a mooring to rest and rearrange for river sailing whilst I enjoyed my intended sail.

Returning, we agreed to meet again at Waldringfield where my family would be waiting. Following a gentle run upriver the group was swelled by the addition of my wife and two young sons. We crossed over to the sandy beach opposite for lunch. It might have been a desert island that we had discovered. Finding shelter from the sun was a high priority. Herons nested in the treetops behind us as we talked, ate, and the boys explored.

Much later we ran further upstream passing through Woodbridge to land at Melton beach to continue our discussions about the history of the river which, improbable as it may sound, included the bombing of this very spot by a Zeppelin in the first world war.

Going back downstream after the turn of the tide we were joined by Ted Jones in his Sunspot from the Walton Backwaters. We had been in his sight since we commenced our afternoon sail but he had remained hanging on a mooring, making cups of tea, whilst we had been ashore.

My family departed at Waldringfield and the boats took the ground at mid-tide at the Rocks, which is probably the best anchorage on the East Coast. We all walked the couple of miles along the seawall to the Ramsholt Arms for a convivial and companionable evening meal, returning to our boats as night fell. It was low water, so we were each able to reset our anchors to suit our leaving times.

Ted went first, departing under sail in a very grey morning just after the ebb set in at 0415. Peter and Warner were away with a blast of engine at 0630 but I reaped the reward of the organiser, having set the times to suit my own lazy pace. Another long breakfast into dinner was followed by a breezy, sunny sail back home. Glorious weekend, don’t believe all that the weather people say.

Maritime Ipswich 20th - 21st June by Ted Jones

It was very, very enjoyable according to everyone who attended. Those of you who have been to these festivals will know the format and I suspect this one was not too different. Shanty men sang, fiddlers played, exhibitors exhibited, pirates and the Royal Navy fought it out aboard two square riggers with accompanying cannon’s roar, fireworks illuminated the sky on Saturday night and we all left on Sunday or Monday. In between, we made new acquaintances and the public came in millions, it seemed, to look at us from the dockside. The weather couldn’t have been better as we had a heatwave throughout.

Several interesting trips were made to get there or return. Paul Constantine in his Torch dinghy, launched in the Orwell and arrived without incident. But on sailing back to the Deben, he came to the bar too early. Nevertheless, he decided to run in over the ebb. His dinghy broached, almost capsized, but recovered and he was finally able to collect his family from Felixstowe Ferry and sail comfortably back home to Woodbridge, without a wet backside!

Geoff Osborne did the reverse and launched in the Deben, tacked down and being late, had to tack out against both the flood and the breeze. I didn’t ask how many tacks in these rough conditions but I suspect he lost count anyway, but he arrived safely on Friday evening. Afterwards, he continued along with the Old Gaffers, who attended Ipswich in strength, for their week of races and passages and finished up getting the Open Boat Award. Our congratulations and I hope we will get it all in more detail from Geoff himself.

Aidan de la Mare joined us, launching and recovering his Tideway from a campsite nearby, where he was staying. Charles Proudfoot sailed his Roamer from Walton on Saturday to lock in that evening, only to have to return, locking out, the next morning as he had to be back at work on Monday. This was his last week before retiring, so perhaps he’ll spend longer next year.

I sailed up from Walton on the Friday and left late on Sunday evening, enjoying a trouble free sail down the Orwell, to anchor at Shotley about midnight and complete the journey next morning after a few hours sleep.

Peter Small in his Wayfarer and John Adye in his Drascombe launched in the Orwell and arrived late Friday night, leaving again on Monday morning, taking off together for the balance of the week sailing. They left the Orwell, went along the coast and entered the Deben and would have gone much further after this but the weather closed in and produced near gale conditions. Anyone thinking of buying a breathable dry suit should talk to Peter about the one he purchased during this part of his trip. He is most enthusiastic about it.

On shore we were joined by Derek Harvey and Graham Wadeson, who kindly helped us in our determination to provide yet greater profits for Tolly’s brewery!

Provisional date for next years event is 26th & 27th June. Hope to see you there.

Walton Backwaters 18th - 19th July

The following attended: Paul & Allison Constantine + young sons Martin & Aran Torch Dinghy Tyne David Smith and Paul Hillman Skipper 17 Mischief Peter Bick 14’ motor launch Slippers Ted Jones Sunspot 15 Genie Charles Proudfoot Roamer Tai Tai II

Paul Smith had hoped to attend with his Wayfarer but found at the last minute that he was unable to make it.

Forecast for the weekend was W-SW F3-5 sunny.

The original intention was to rendezvous at Stone Point 1200 Saturday, but as things turned out we all met at Titchmarsh Marina at various times on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning. David, Paul Hillman, Ted and Charles took an evening drive to Kirby-le-Soken to reconnoitre Saturday’s anchorage and to take some refreshments at the Ship Inn. A hard westerly had been blowing all day but it was calm and clear by evening.

On Saturday morning we met up with Paul Constantine and family who had arrived at Titchmarsh the previous evening. Peter Bick arrived and launched at 1000.

Owing to the diversity of boat sizes and types we agreed that each should go his own way for the day; meeting up at 1800 at Stone Point for Charles to pilot the boats to Kirby Quay. Mischief departed at 1000 bound for Pin Mill on the Orwell. Ted Jones left at 1030 for the same destination after replacing a shearpin on his outboard. Charles and Peter left at 1100 for Stone Point and then later out to Pye End and Hamford Water. Paul and family stayed in the locality of Stone Point. It was fine and sunny, but as those of us who had a long beat back from Harwich Harbour will testify, it blew a lusty force 4-5 from the west throughout the day. All the boats were well reefed and it was interesting to see Paul Constantine’s Torch dinghy rigged with a trysail. Everybody had an excellent day’s sailing.

Stone Point proved to be an awkward lee shore. At 1800 it was still blowing hard from west. Mischief dragged her anchor in the rather poor holding and went ashore on the mud, but Peter Bick laid out a pair of anchors in tandem which solved the problem of hauling her off. Rather than suffer a rough beat down Hamford Water the fleet decided to reach Kirby Quay via the Twizzle and motor across the shallow water of Horsey Mere. Ted Jones decided to return to the marina and the others set out to arrive at 1910, twenty minutes before HW. This year’s selected anchorage was a small bay in the saltings about a cable NW of The Quay House. It is completely sheltered from south and west, in lovely surroundings, and near the footpath where a 10 minute walk leads you to the Ship Inn. There is clean landing at HW but the whole area dries out within 1½ hours. We had some problems to position the larger boats so that they would dry out level whilst still having access to the sloping shingle beach. Our efforts were not entirely successful. There is also good level ground above HW and Paul was able to pitch his tent without problems.

Soon after arrival the wind eased to leave a beautiful calm evening and fine sunset. Dinner and ale at The Ship made a right end to the day. We turned in at around 2300 under a clear sky awash with stars.

An early start on Sunday to catch the tide. We each went our separate ways. Tyne and Tai Tai II made their way back to the marina. Slippers and Mischief went the opposite way to anchor in Kirby Creek for a leisurely shave and breakfast in the early morning calm, while considering plans for the day. Everyone had enjoyed a weekend of fine weather, good sailing and agreeable company.