johnalison
Well-known member
We used to use the Butley to shorten the trip to the entrance. It was OK as a visitor, but the Ore is more demanding overall than the Deben and less attractive as a base unless one lived nearby. I do like its wildness though and remember our excitement when we saw some of the first avocets there in the early '70s.Its not that bad, a couple of weeks ago we came out of the Ore at about 1.5 hours before high (for a quicker passage to Felixstowe) having left Orford 3 hours before high, and that was at the top of springs. A few more revs than normal but it doesn't hurt to give the engine a bit of a run from time to time. Anchoring in the Butley River is an option too.
Leaving the Deben or the Ore is manageable, I view the risk of not being able to return as more of an issue should the weather turn or after nightfall, hence we are on the Orwell.