Going to the Ore / Alde

morgandlm

morgandlm

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Am planning a trip up the coast late next week in Bonsella (Sadler 26) Can anybody advise on the options available at Orford and/or Aldeburgh for getting access to showers, shops etc? I'll have my adult daughter with me who is OK roughing it but I suspect will want access to some "facilities"! The easy answer is The Deben and Tidemill marina but I fancy giving the Ore/Alde a try.

Grateful for any suggestions and advice.

David Morgan
 
There's no facilities at Orford SC or Orford in general but it is beautiful sailing.

What day are you looking to head up? I live in Orford and you're welcome to pop by and use my shower.
 
We were welcomed at the Orford sailing club last year and given the door code for their facilities. Probably best to give them a call as we just happened to catch them on a club night. You will need to use their pontoons to get ashore anyway as the bizarre arrangements at the quay mean that you pay the quay trust for a mooring and then they instruct you not to use the quay to dinghy ashore and direct you to the clubs pontoons! Never been able to figure that one out?
 
What a generous offer - thanks. Plans are uncertain just now but if we do go in to Orford it's likely to be on Friday 19th. From other replies, it seems our best bet will be Aldeburgh but we might go to Orford too. Look out for Bonsella!
Morgan
 
Hadenough said:
We were welcomed at the Orford sailing club last year and given the door code for their facilities. Probably best to give them a call as we just happened to catch them on a club night. You will need to use their pontoons to get ashore anyway as the bizarre arrangements at the quay mean that you pay the quay trust for a mooring and then they instruct you not to use the quay to dinghy ashore and direct you to the clubs pontoons! Never been able to figure that one out?
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I suppose this is what you get when a quay is run by a Town Trust (committee). The south part is for commercial fishermen only, the main east part is for the Lady Florence trip boat and the slip has to be kept clear at all times. The whole quay is usually deserted in the evenings so tie up anyplace, but I would also suggest the southside and get as close to shore as possible, the fishermen don't use it all the time. But then don't tell them I suggested that!
 
OrfDan said:
There's no facilities at Orford SC or Orford in general but it is beautiful sailing.

What day are you looking to head up? I live in Orford and you're welcome to pop by and use my shower.
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So what has happened to the SC showers at Orford? A couple of years ago...well 4.....we were welcomed to use them as a visitor, and the HM made our stay a real pleasure...
 
Anchor just short of Orford (we like somewhere nr cuckold's point depending on wind direction). Pray for a warm day and have a bathe in the river.
 
Im not sure the sailing club is open on Fridays...it's usually open on Wednesday evenings. But you could give them a call?

Let me know if you're around on Friday...I'm not too sure on my whereabouts yet, i may be at work but am usually home by 5.40ish....so if you're stuck let me know and you can pop round for a shower.
 
Thanks for all the replies to date - not least the offer of a shower! The passage plan continues to develop. I am learning that the best entrance is made 2 hours or so after Low Water - this will need a painful early start if we are coming from Shotley which is the current plan. I am not clear about the tactics for leaving the river. What is recommended? Leaving the Deben, I would normally leave around the end of the ebb - does the same work for the Ore?

As ever - I'd be grateful for any advice based on other's experience.
David Morgan
 
morgandlm said:
Thanks for all the replies to date - not least the offer of a shower! The passage plan continues to develop. I am learning that the best entrance is made 2 hours or so after Low Water - this will need a painful early start if we are coming from Shotley which is the current plan. I am not clear about the tactics for leaving the river. What is recommended? Leaving the Deben, I would normally leave around the end of the ebb - does the same work for the Ore?

As ever - I'd be grateful for any advice based on other's experience.
David Morgan
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Deben is ok for me with 2m draft @ 1/2 tide. i leave Ramsholt when the water touches the bottom of the quay.
At Bawdsey keep over when adjacent the the quay & keep very close to the beach, all the groins are clearly marked so keep well in out of the tide. keep to this side & follow the shingle banks on the port hand to where the Ch narrows. then bear away to the green By

Ore
leave when the tide turns @ Orford, keep well up to the port hand in as little water as you dare, follow the contours, read the bank & follow it, if you touch, just bear away your on a rising tide ( i enjoy a s/w wind i can beat yachts on full throttle out in the tide) when you get to nort wear pt you will have the advantage of a very large eddy that gives you an extra couple of kts over the ground
 
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morgandlm said:
I am learning that the best entrance is made 2 hours or so after Low Water - this will need a painful early start if we are coming from Shotley which is the current plan.
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I don't see any benefit in making a painfully early start to get to Orford Haven 2 hours after LW - a lot of folks wouldn't attempt it until at least half flood. Even if you get there 1 hour before HW you'll still have plenty of flood in the river to shoosh you up to Orford.
 
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