Do we go or not?

Two nights at Wrabness and with Gale 8 and Severe Gale 9 in the forecast at 3am this morning the decision to return to our mooring and bale out was made. Glad we got out though, saw some wonderful traditional smacks and gaff riggers. Picked up our mooring and ashore. Mug of tea in hand with a day extra to play with.
 
Came across the estuary last night in 'interesting' conditions... Didn't go below 26kts, spent half an hour at 35kts, and gusted to over 40kts at one point.... Torrential rain and lightning... I think you made a good decision to stay at home!... On the plus side, we did hit 11kts, even if I did scare myself ****less going through Foulgers gat!!!!
 
We also made the decision to abandon our plan to go to Wrabness for Sunday night after seeing the forecast so have just returned back to the Deben from Walton Backwaters, good sail back F4/5 gusting 6 with 1 reef in the main and ½ a genoa & smooth seas. Then whilst having lunch on our mooring the heavens opened and we could barely see across the river, very glad we were moored up. I do like our new cockpit cover - very snug last night!
 
It was interesting down here in Kent as the cold front went through this afternoon. Classic stuff straight out of a weather textbook.
Biggest gust on the IOSSC webcam was 49mph at 1519. Now blowing NW F7.
 
Dossing in the cockpit this afternoon sheltering from the alternating brilliant sunshine and torrential downpours I saw it hit 34kts from the NW, but mostly 25-28 though. Helped an Etap in to dock in the crosswinds, they'd come back down the Wallet in 38kts at times.

Still, for those of us denied such pleasures at least the tide is in and we're fully afloat so the beam-on gusts are rolling us around and giving an illusion of sailing...
 
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