eastcoastbernie
Well-Known Member
I've planned to go to Southwold on many occasions, but circumstances have always got in the way. But, this weekend, hooray, I made it!
After helping Clive get Sirenia afloat, Johnny Windrush and I rushed round to Beyond Reason to get her on her way. Queued up for a few minutes to get onto the fuelling pontoon, but much too excited and impatient to wait, so set off hoping the fuel on board would be enough. Hoisted full main and working jib.
The brisk wind we enjoyed in the Orwell was shortlived, and by the time we turned around Landguard Point our speed had dropped to below 2 knots. Southwold seemed a long way away. We resigned ourselves to a pleasant sail, Southwold could wait till another day. Meanwhile, we could play with the cruising chute.
Now we were doing 5 knots on the log and Southwold began to look a possibility. Especially when we checked out the SOG on the GPS. We were flying! Our speed continued to increase, a little mental arithmetic and we figured at this rate we'd be at Southwold too early. Down with the chute and up with the genoa.
Arrived outside Southwold Harbour at about 16.30 hours, half an hour earlier than Peter the Harbourmaster had recommended for our debut entrance. We decided to gill about outside until 17.00 hours. Then we called the HM to ask if we could come in.
'Southwold Harbour Master, this is Yacht Beyond Reason, over'
'Is that Bernie?'
'Er yes, over'
'We have had a very low low, I would be happier if you waited until 17.45 before attempting your entrance. Don't approach from the East but from the South East.'
So we packed up the sails and tidied up the sheets and halyards, then motored gingerly into the harbour entrance. Straight down the middle as instructed, turning close to the knuckle, headed for the crane, then kept 2 metres from the North pier. Only 0.9 close to the knuckle, but loads of water everywhere else. Crept along the North Pier until the yellow bollard was visible, then back into the middle of the river.
We spotted Peter as we passed the visitors moorings and saw him indicating where we were to raft up. Chugged past, executed a U turn and began my approach for the ferryglide in. Fortunately I didn't embarrass myself!
Now it was time to play musical boats. First we had to move forward to let a 38 footer in. Then we had to move back to raft up outside the 38 footer.
The following morning many more boats arrived. We moved back to raft alongside a Najad to make space for the newcomers. Assuming we were now all settled again, I started on the cooked breakfast. Moments before it was ready to serve, I noticed Peter making his way towards us.
'I'm just cooking breakfast, can't you smell it? You can't interrupt a woman when she's mid bacon and eggs!'
The wonderful Peter then re-arranged his masterplan managing to fit everyone in WITHOUT interrupting my bacon and eggs! What a hero!
Later, when he'd got everyone all settled he came to find us again.
'Quick, get some more bacon and eggs on', came the suggestion from the Najad.
'She's going to tell me she's got the Sunday Roast on now', replied Peter.
Brilliant sunshine all day. Southwold is lovely. The Harbourmaster is fantastic. Can't wait to go again.
Left at 0800 Monday morning, wonderful romp down the coast with full main and genoa until things began to feel a little too lively for comfort. Killed the genoa before Wadgate Ledge and continued with main only. Only hoisted the genoa again at the entrance to the Orwell when things had calmed down again. All tied up in my berth in Suffolk Yacht Harbour at 14.30 hours.
Very tired though. Just as well we didn't go to Ostend this weekend. SYH to Southwold and back was more than enough!
After helping Clive get Sirenia afloat, Johnny Windrush and I rushed round to Beyond Reason to get her on her way. Queued up for a few minutes to get onto the fuelling pontoon, but much too excited and impatient to wait, so set off hoping the fuel on board would be enough. Hoisted full main and working jib.
The brisk wind we enjoyed in the Orwell was shortlived, and by the time we turned around Landguard Point our speed had dropped to below 2 knots. Southwold seemed a long way away. We resigned ourselves to a pleasant sail, Southwold could wait till another day. Meanwhile, we could play with the cruising chute.
Now we were doing 5 knots on the log and Southwold began to look a possibility. Especially when we checked out the SOG on the GPS. We were flying! Our speed continued to increase, a little mental arithmetic and we figured at this rate we'd be at Southwold too early. Down with the chute and up with the genoa.
Arrived outside Southwold Harbour at about 16.30 hours, half an hour earlier than Peter the Harbourmaster had recommended for our debut entrance. We decided to gill about outside until 17.00 hours. Then we called the HM to ask if we could come in.
'Southwold Harbour Master, this is Yacht Beyond Reason, over'
'Is that Bernie?'
'Er yes, over'
'We have had a very low low, I would be happier if you waited until 17.45 before attempting your entrance. Don't approach from the East but from the South East.'
So we packed up the sails and tidied up the sheets and halyards, then motored gingerly into the harbour entrance. Straight down the middle as instructed, turning close to the knuckle, headed for the crane, then kept 2 metres from the North pier. Only 0.9 close to the knuckle, but loads of water everywhere else. Crept along the North Pier until the yellow bollard was visible, then back into the middle of the river.
We spotted Peter as we passed the visitors moorings and saw him indicating where we were to raft up. Chugged past, executed a U turn and began my approach for the ferryglide in. Fortunately I didn't embarrass myself!
Now it was time to play musical boats. First we had to move forward to let a 38 footer in. Then we had to move back to raft up outside the 38 footer.
The following morning many more boats arrived. We moved back to raft alongside a Najad to make space for the newcomers. Assuming we were now all settled again, I started on the cooked breakfast. Moments before it was ready to serve, I noticed Peter making his way towards us.
'I'm just cooking breakfast, can't you smell it? You can't interrupt a woman when she's mid bacon and eggs!'
The wonderful Peter then re-arranged his masterplan managing to fit everyone in WITHOUT interrupting my bacon and eggs! What a hero!
Later, when he'd got everyone all settled he came to find us again.
'Quick, get some more bacon and eggs on', came the suggestion from the Najad.
'She's going to tell me she's got the Sunday Roast on now', replied Peter.
Brilliant sunshine all day. Southwold is lovely. The Harbourmaster is fantastic. Can't wait to go again.
Left at 0800 Monday morning, wonderful romp down the coast with full main and genoa until things began to feel a little too lively for comfort. Killed the genoa before Wadgate Ledge and continued with main only. Only hoisted the genoa again at the entrance to the Orwell when things had calmed down again. All tied up in my berth in Suffolk Yacht Harbour at 14.30 hours.
Very tired though. Just as well we didn't go to Ostend this weekend. SYH to Southwold and back was more than enough!
