Heads up for Clacton and surrounding area this weekend

Will try to be there............if I can get up early enough to fight the tide and east wind!!

Gitane

Didn't make it......... got up way too late.

Left Bradwell at around noon only to be met by what looked like a hundred boats with full spinnakers a flying coming straight at me. Must have been a race and I seem to be at some waypoint as a load of boats were turning and coming the other way, also gunning for me. Turned round and fled to the peaceful waters of the upper Blackwater.

Anybody know what race this was?

Gitane
 
The aerobatic stuff was incredible, the stalls and fall backs particularly good. The supercharged Merlin engine in the Mustang was - just like it should be! BBMF turned up and the Lanc pilot was flying it like it was a fighter plane. Then the Vulcan showed up. All pretty awesome run-of-the-mill until he did a steep climb out, about 50 meters above our mast - I thought my chest was going to explode with the noise - one of the more eloquent RAF officers on board was heard (much later) to say "it was like God himself reached down and ripped open the sky". After that we had the Red Arrows and we were all a bit yeah whatever until they did some stuff right over our heads, but frankly after the Vulcan everything would be a bit whatever. As last year the yachts got a far better view than the people on shore; anchorage all jolly good apart from some utter, utter twonk - big old flybridge from RHYC who raced through the anchored boats, with a number of them giving him the sign to indicate that he was probably also skilled in doing himself personal favours.
The day much improved by a running commentary from our on-board brown job with a remarkable knowledge of RAF planes. Some cold beers and a surprising amount of sunburn. Cracking day out Gromit.
 
The aerobatic stuff was incredible, the stalls and fall backs particularly good. The supercharged Merlin engine in the Mustang was - just like it should be! BBMF turned up and the Lanc pilot was flying it like it was a fighter plane. Then the Vulcan showed up. All pretty awesome run-of-the-mill until he did a steep climb out, about 50 meters above our mast - I thought my chest was going to explode with the noise - one of the more eloquent RAF officers on board was heard (much later) to say "it was like God himself reached down and ripped open the sky". After that we had the Red Arrows and we were all a bit yeah whatever until they did some stuff right over our heads, but frankly after the Vulcan everything would be a bit whatever. As last year the yachts got a far better view than the people on shore; anchorage all jolly good apart from some utter, utter twonk - big old flybridge from RHYC who raced through the anchored boats, with a number of them giving him the sign to indicate that he was probably also skilled in doing himself personal favours.
The day much improved by a running commentary from our on-board brown job with a remarkable knowledge of RAF planes. Some cold beers and a surprising amount of sunburn. Cracking day out Gromit.

Excellent write up and just as I remember them, totally awesome, now, where's the video ? :rolleyes:
 
Excellent write up and just as I remember them, totally awesome, now, where's the video ? :rolleyes:

Was all set up to take one and just sort of got forgotten in the show :o Vulcan would have blown the mic anyway. Apparently it's the last year for the Vulcan but as they need £800,000 to stay airborne I'm not surprised. We need a FWMF to keep it flying.
 
Don't know where you got that info about this being the last year, but I follow them closely on FB and the last update was about securing further funds and now being allowed to fly overseas, which, apparently they weren't previously cleared to do. Plus they're all sorted for the next upgrade to the airframe to allow them to continue flying
 
The aerobatic stuff was incredible, the stalls and fall backs particularly good. The supercharged Merlin engine in the Mustang was - just like it should be! BBMF turned up and the Lanc pilot was flying it like it was a fighter plane. Then the Vulcan showed up. All pretty awesome run-of-the-mill until he did a steep climb out, about 50 meters above our mast - I thought my chest was going to explode with the noise - one of the more eloquent RAF officers on board was heard (much later) to say "it was like God himself reached down and ripped open the sky". After that we had the Red Arrows and we were all a bit yeah whatever until they did some stuff right over our heads, but frankly after the Vulcan everything would be a bit whatever. As last year the yachts got a far better view than the people on shore; anchorage all jolly good apart from some utter, utter twonk - big old flybridge from RHYC who raced through the anchored boats, with a number of them giving him the sign to indicate that he was probably also skilled in doing himself personal favours.
The day much improved by a running commentary from our on-board brown job with a remarkable knowledge of RAF planes. Some cold beers and a surprising amount of sunburn. Cracking day out Gromit.

:D Very good, wish I'd been there now!
 
We were there, dragged anchor 4 times but despite resetting 25m chain did not dint our enjoyment. Anchor held on outside of anchorage for future ref.
Have some great footage will post of Vulcan which was awesome. Had a heart stopping moment when the Spitfire dive bombed our mast I can honestly say I saw the pilot looking down on our position and I struggled to scream, shout or yee ha as they bottomed out the dive. My girls loved it despite the bouncy sea state. Had a great onward journey to anchor just off the PyeFleet and then on to Tollesbury. Great to have been able to revisit a favourite despite a 2m draft the tides were kind to us. Mind you we arrived in a monsoon shower which has killed my iphone amongst other gear and we had almost half a foot of freshwater in the dinghy the following morning. Sailed up to SYH last night with engine going on for last 1/2 mile. A great bank hol was had by all topped of with a swim of the boat this morning and a trip to the Suffolk Food Hall! Back home now enjoying the pics and memories of a great trip back. Superb!
 
We were there, dragged anchor 4 times but despite resetting 25m chain did not dint our enjoyment. Anchor held on outside of anchorage for future ref.
Have some great footage will post of Vulcan which was awesome. Had a heart stopping moment when the Spitfire dive bombed our mast I can honestly say I saw the pilot looking down on our position and I struggled to scream, shout or yee ha as they bottomed out the dive. My girls loved it despite the bouncy sea state. Had a great onward journey to anchor just off the PyeFleet and then on to Tollesbury. Great to have been able to revisit a favourite despite a 2m draft the tides were kind to us. Mind you we arrived in a monsoon shower which has killed my iphone amongst other gear and we had almost half a foot of freshwater in the dinghy the following morning. Sailed up to SYH last night with engine going on for last 1/2 mile. A great bank hol was had by all topped of with a swim of the boat this morning and a trip to the Suffolk Food Hall! Back home now enjoying the pics and memories of a great trip back. Superb!

Looking forward to viewing the video footage and pic's, and good to hear so many enjoyed the show
 
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