The Good, Bad and Ugly of cruising the East Coast

[morgandlm]

Just back from a brilliant few days cruising out of the Blackwater to Walton Backwaters and the Orwell. I just had to share a couple of experiences with the forum.

First, the bad and ugly. Whilst on my allocated visitor berth in the Titchmarsh marina (nice place by the way), the guy in the boat alongside started gutting the fish he and his mates had caught that day, then lobbing the rubbish over the side. Not great but at least feeding the marina mullet. Whilst sailing the next day we were aware of a fishy aroma and discovered the canvas dodger and hull spattered with blood, bits of fish and maturing guts. Thanks guys!

My faith in the boating fraternity was totally restored when walking to Levington from The Sussex yacht harbour when my wife and I were picked up by a guy just leaving the marina on his way home. He offered us a lift and took us out of his way to drop us off at The Ship - what a star!

How lucky we East Coasters are to have such great places to visit.

Morgan

 

[Gunfleet]

I think I would complain about the man in the marina - it may be part of a pattern. You were lucky on the Orwell. Every time I go to the pub up the hill from Suffolk YH it's closed/not cooking yet/finished cooking already/there's no space. I bet Libby Purves couldn't get a table there on a busy night. At least it's better than Pin Mill, where a waitress told me somethings were unavailable because they only shop once a week! Sometimes the Orwell reminds me of the river Vilaine... but not the food.

 

[MoodySabre]

Sssh - whisper. We are very lucky. Those Solent bods don't know the half of it.

Just up from the Orwell is the Deben which is very beautiful. I'm at Bradwell too and friends who are there also think it's a great base. The Blackwater is lovely and we can sail east or west which is a great bonus.

Just don't tell everybody how nice it is /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[graham]

On balance I think that makes a good weekend. The harbour is IMHO the best place for fish guts. Far better than the harbour bin in warm weather /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif Im sure 5 minutes and a bit of soapy water cured the splashes on your canvaswork.A bit rude of them but not desperately out of order.

Re the guy giving you a lift,I visited Burnham (somerset)YC last year and someone I never met before not only insisted on giving me a lift to the pub but insisted on popping in to introduce me and get the beers in. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif On other occasions visiting other small clubs people have driven us to supermarkets,lent us their pontoon keys and dozens of other little favours that restore your faith in human nature.

My experience is that the smaller and more off the beaten track the club is the friendlier the members .

As for the big motorboat that declined my request for a 100 meter tow out of the Cardiff locks when my motor was sulking...... takes all sorts /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[CPD]

I must wholheartedly disagree with MoodySabre. The East Coast is the most dreary of places, always wet, always cold, full of shifting sandbanks to catch you out, bloomin awful rivers, orrible beer, and as for the blackwater - now dont get me started on that one, they strap fish to your engine there they do - awful place !!! And I say we keep it that way /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[graham]

Only one place thats worse,thats the Bristol Channel, no ones ever sailed it and lived to tell the tale. I Suggest the only safe place for yachting is between Hurst Castle and Bembridge.

 

[Koeketiene]

[ QUOTE ]
I Suggest the only safe place for yachting is between Hurst Castle and Bembridge.

[/ QUOTE ]

Seconded - with one amendment.
The Solent should be designated a JenBenBav reservation. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

There... if that one doesn't generate a couple of replies, I don't know what will /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[moondancer]

And of course the Solent is much nearer and more convenient for people in London than the East Coast, indeed there be robbers on the road from London to Burnham.

 

[Twister_Ken]

>indeed there be robbers on the road from London to Burnham.<

Yup - most of them drive tricked-out Citroen Saxo's.

 

[Koeketiene]

Quite - the sign "Here there be dragons" was only recently removed

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

[ QUOTE ]
>indeed there be robbers on the road from London to Burnham.<

Yup - most of them drive tricked-out Citroen Saxo's.

[/ QUOTE ]

Wrong.....

Most of them drive someone elses tricked out Saxo

 

[davies]

Trouble with the east coast is that I don't like having to change the cutless bearing every few years.