Blackwater and Brightlingsea stop off

[SP2]

Although we have done the Medway to the Orwell direct and have done our time on the Crouch, we have never been into the Blackwater or into Brightingsea.

We aim to remedy this sad failing this year on our way up to Harwich (its such an obvious stop over) so where would you recommend for a night or two? We are fin feel and are happy to anchor.

All suggestions welcome!

 

[Athene V30]

In no particular order:
Brightlingsea - pontoons in river, curry, fish & chips ashore
PyeFleet - anchor - opposite Brightlingsea on R Colne, self sufficient, peace & quiet
Marconi SC - moorings in Blackwater towards Osea Island, Fri evening v friendly bar open in club
Osea Island - anchor
Bradwell - Marina, Green Man pub - good menu and beer

 

[Saguday]

It's all good.

Brightlingsea is welcoming and easy for you to get to, Mersea always worth a visit, notwithstanding the new mooring charges, we always enjoy Bradwell get down to the Green Man pub, if there's enough tide then our home at Tollesbury is a nice spot too (in the Marina itself over a tidal sill or anchor/moor in the Leavings and dinghy up the creek), or anchor/moor off Marconi SC or Osea for the night if you want peace and quiet (ditto Pyefleet Creek north/east side of Mersea island). If you're feeling adventurous and have the time then Heybridge Basin or Maldon well worth seeing but pretty muddy and tidal and a few hours up river from the sea.

 

[Saguday]

In no particular order:
Brightlingsea - pontoons in river, curry, fish & chips ashore
PyeFleet - anchor - opposite Brightlingsea on R Colne, self sufficient, peace & quiet
Marconi SC - moorings in Blackwater towards Osea Island, Fri evening v friendly bar open in club
Osea Island - anchor
Bradwell - Marina, Green Man pub - good menu and beer

Darn you Karouise, beaten by a whisker

 

[Marmalade]

...and Heybridge basin if staying for a full tide - lovely boaty (as opposed to yachty) basin with access to the canal (lovely exploring up river in a tender or a trip to the supermarket by boat)

 

[SP2]

Thanks, Marmalade and Saguday,

That's very helpful - I've got a case in West Mersea this week and staying over in a pub so that gives me the chance to look around in the evening.

My father sailed out of West Mersea in the 1950's but I suspect it may have changed a little since then.

 

[SP2]

Oops

Should have said thanks to Karouise too!!!

 

[Saguday]

... but I suspect it may have changed a little since then.

I bet it hasn't

 

[Athene V30]

I bet it hasn't

Oh Yes it has!

You have to pay for a mooring now

 

[Saguday]

 

[exfinnsailor]

You may need a dingy at Brightlingsea. The water taxi is not always out and the HM packs up and goes home. Water if you need it on the Sailing Club pontoon you put a coin in the box on the side of the SC which turns the water on . The poontoon dries at LWS so not much water . Showers Etc at SC get a key from the HM.

Water taxi charges £1 each way per person or dog . We usually take the dingy as it gets a bit expensive taking the dog ashore for No2's £6

 

[SP2]

We still have the dilemma of replacing the dog - "Mrs Toots" was never a good sea dog and rather ungainly even when going from pontoon to deck. She was built for sledging in the Arctic, now wading in mud...

I think we will put that quandary on hold for a seasom or two

We have a dinghy and outboard and SWMBO likes her showers so getting ashore should be okay. She is more agile than the dog was...

Thanks

 

[exfinnsailor]

Stressed dog after a day at sea

 

[SP2]

It's a hard life for some!

 

[Cobra]

You may need a dingy at Brightlingsea. The water taxi is not always out and the HM packs up and goes home.

Water Taxi runs late PM on Fridays and from Sparrows fart until a variable later (dependant on time of tide and prevailing weather conditions). Yes, the HM does pack up and go home as I would lay a pound to a penny you do as well after a full days work!!

[PEDANT] [TONGUEINCHEEK]Water if you need it on the Sailing Club pontoon you put a coin in the box on the side of the SC which turns the water on .[/TONGUEINCHEEK][/PEDANT]

It's the Yacht Club, not the Sailing Club...the Sailing Club get very upset being called the Yacht Club!

The poontoon dries at LWS so not much water .

Yes, but the town jetty has had the hammerhead dredged over winter and there is now decent water there at all states of tide

Showers Etc at SC get a key from the HM.

Told you once it's the YACHT CLUB...that's what it says on those big blue letters on the front of it at least!

As has already been noted, Brightlingsea is a great place to visit, the locals are friendly(ish!), there is a good Curry House on the waterfront and a MUCH better one a 5 minute walk away, a good choice of pubs, and the HM will charge you only for the facilities that currently exist rather than charging you for a promise of things to come!!!

 

[Ianqv]

Bradwell

Bradwell Marina - a warm welcome (and cold beers) await on F pontoon - there are 5 forumites just on this one pontoon!!

Maldon is also a good visit (up and back on the tide).

Ian and Sarah

 

[Marmalade]

As has already been noted, Brightlingsea is a great place to visit, the locals are friendly(ish!), there is a good Curry House on the waterfront and a MUCH better one a 5 minute walk away, a good choice of pubs, and the HM will charge you only for the facilities that currently exist rather than charging you for a promise of things to come!!!

...but they do get a bit arsey if you call their yacht club a sailing club mind you...

 

[SP2]

Looks like there are plenty of places about - beginning to think it is more than a stop over but a destination for a week or so.

Now, when can I grant myself another week off work

 

[exfinnsailor]

Water Taxi runs late PM on Fridays and from Sparrows fart until a variable later (dependant on time of tide and prevailing weather conditions). Yes, the HM does pack up and go home as I would lay a pound to a penny you do as well after a full days work!! It's the Yacht Club, not the Sailing Club...the Sailing Club get very upset being called the Yacht Club! Yes, but the town jetty has had the hammerhead dredged over winter and there is now decent water there at all states of tide Told you once it's the YACHT CLUB...that's what it says on those big blue letters on the front of it at least!

As has already been noted, Brightlingsea is a great place to visit, the locals are friendly(ish!), there is a good Curry House on the waterfront and a MUCH better one a 5 minute walk away, a good choice of pubs, and the HM will charge you only for the facilities that currently exist rather than charging you for a promise of things to come!!!

All it was was a bit of helpful advice. No one bothered to tell me you could get water from the other jetty or you prefer to be called a YACHT CLUB

 

[Cobra]

All it was was a bit of helpful advice.

And as I think most would appreciate my response was just a bit of gentle ribbing!!

No one bothered to tell me you could get water from the other jetty or you prefer to be called a YACHT CLUB

As far as I am concerned you can call it what you like! I am firmly of the persuasion that it is possible to sail perfectly well without having a Yacht/Sailing/Boating Club to retire to...the local pubs are far nicer places with better beer...if you know where to go!

ANYWAY...enjoy your next visit to Brightlingsea and take the dog for a decent walk along the Prom and on the river walk down towards Alresford...plenty of space for it to run freely and lots of rabbits to put up! He/she will enjoy it!