Blackwater - the Best Cruise Ever?
On the 8th Sept eight of us checked in at the Stone SC for our last camping trip of the season: John & Deborah, Simon, Mike, Martin, Maurice & Barbara and myself. Simon had arrived the evening before and as I arrived at 9.30 he was already rigging up. After a quick coffee we both hit the water for a morning sail in heavy rain. We sailed up to Marconi SC but on finding it deserted returned to Stone for lunch. No sign of anyone else yet so we headed out on the water again still in heavy rain, before being blown off the water by a squall mid afternoon. Everyone else arrived late afternoon as the rain abated, and we all spent the evening at the Stone Indian restaurant.
Wednesday dawned bright and breezy and most got on the water early, as the strong wind was forecast to drop during the day. Apart from Simon and Martin all had had enough by lunchtime, so 5 of us headed off for an afternoon bike ride to Bradwell, taking in the RAF war memorial and the AD 653 Chapel of St Peter on the wall. After this pleasant 16 mile ride we returned to base for an evening non BBQ, which was brought to a sudden halt by a swarm of hungry Mosquitoes, presumably stirred into action by the previous days rain. We all ran for cover and retired to our beds at 8.30.
Thursday was cruise day and we were woken by bright sunshine, and joined for the day by Martin Gunn, for his first cruise with us. Seven of us launched at 10.00 and with a steady 8mph SW wind, sailed to the N of Osea Island, and with the wind freshening reached the Mill beach cafe ahead of schedule at 10.45. After a quick coffee we launched again at 11.30 for the next leg to Maylandsea. The wind was still building as we beat up to round Northey Island, then a lovely broad reach on flat water all the way down to the entrance to Lawlings creek. We regrouped there and then beat up to Maylandsea SC, arriving at 12.30.
On arrival we were met by our shore support team of Barbara and Dedorah, who had cycled there on their e-bikes. Orders were taken for 7 portions of fish &chips and these were quickly delivered by bike from Dave’s always good and reasonably priced local chippy. We launched again just after HT at 1.30 for the 3rd and final leg back to base. The wind was still up at about 15mph as we enjoyed a lovely downwind blast on flat water back to the Stone, passing a Thames barge in full sail on the way.
We had covered 17.4 NM in 2hr 45min sailing time, which is probably the fastest ever for this cruise, we were helped by a steady wind from a good direction, with a few suggesting it was the best cruise ever, it was certainly amongst them! To celebrate we cycled up to the St Lawrence Inn where to our surprise it was bingo night, which turned out to be highly educational with the caller using a whole new language, Simon acted as interpreter with the help of Google and has threatened to bring a dabber next year and have a go.
Everyone packed up and returned home Friday morning after what had been another great trip to this lovely location, hosted by the ever helpful and friendly Stone SC which was as good as ever.
Richard
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