25 Jul 2013
Departed Fox's marina late morning with Charlie as crew. Motored up to Levington as there was little wind. Wind increased as we turned towards Felixstowe docks. Turned around and headed back to pick up a mooring bouy outside Levington Marina. Back to Fox's under sail arriving at 4.00 pm.
Monday, 25 August 2014
A Visit to Woodbridge
Day 1 - 15 Jul 2013
Breakfast at the 'Butty van on the bridge at Fox's and then off to Felwixstowe Ferry via Felixstowe sea front. Meal at the Ferry Inn.
Day 2 - 16 Jul 2013
A late start waiting for the tide (breakfast at the Ferry Cafe) then motored up past Ramsholt and Waldringfield towards Woddbridge. Went aground at 'Troublesome Reach'! After backing off moved a couple of hundred yards to pick up a mooring bouy and wait for the tide to rise whilst having lunch. Continued up the Deben without problem until we tried to tie up to one of the 'waiting buoys' outside the Tidemill Marina when we went aground again! Some trouble getting off but when did, sailed back down river in order to kill time and await 2m on the tide gauge! Meal at the
Day 3 - 17 Jul 2013
Spent the day in Woddbridge - very hot - I went swimming in local pool in afternoon! Waited for HW in order to get over the sill at about 7.00 pm. Motored down to Waldringfield and picked up a bouy for the night. Meal at the 'Maybush'.
Day 4 - 18 Jul 2013
Off early to catch the tide, down past Felixstowe Ferry and back to the Orwell arriving at Fox's at 4.00 pm.
Breakfast at the 'Butty van on the bridge at Fox's and then off to Felwixstowe Ferry via Felixstowe sea front. Meal at the Ferry Inn.
Day 2 - 16 Jul 2013
A late start waiting for the tide (breakfast at the Ferry Cafe) then motored up past Ramsholt and Waldringfield towards Woddbridge. Went aground at 'Troublesome Reach'! After backing off moved a couple of hundred yards to pick up a mooring bouy and wait for the tide to rise whilst having lunch. Continued up the Deben without problem until we tried to tie up to one of the 'waiting buoys' outside the Tidemill Marina when we went aground again! Some trouble getting off but when did, sailed back down river in order to kill time and await 2m on the tide gauge! Meal at the
Day 3 - 17 Jul 2013
Spent the day in Woddbridge - very hot - I went swimming in local pool in afternoon! Waited for HW in order to get over the sill at about 7.00 pm. Motored down to Waldringfield and picked up a bouy for the night. Meal at the 'Maybush'.
Day 4 - 18 Jul 2013
Off early to catch the tide, down past Felixstowe Ferry and back to the Orwell arriving at Fox's at 4.00 pm.
Monday, 17 June 2013
To Titchmarsh Marina via the River Stour
Day 1 - Mon 10 June 2013
Set off from Fox's at 10.00 am. Motored up to Woolverstone and called ahead to pick up fuel. As Woolverstone was having problems with their fuel bowser carried on up Levington. Into Levington about 12.00 am and took on 25 litres of fuel. Departed 12.30 pm, sailed up around Shotley Spit and across to Harwich Pier to take a look and then sailed off up the Stour. Picked up a bouy at Wrabness and enjoyed a late lunch. Had the Genoa out, but not for long! After a relaxed lunch sailed back up to Shotley. Entered the marina via the lock and had to initially reverse back from the lock entrance when we found it to be full. Berthed at 5.30 pm. Paid the marina fees and then settled down in the "Shipwreck" for an evening of good beer and food!
Engine hrs: 5.5
Day 2 - Tues 11 June 2013
Departed Shotley marina about 11.00 (waiting for the tide) and headed out of the Orwell/Stour estuary past Landguard Point and into the open sea. Reasonable wind from the east so hoisted the mainsail for the first time and shook out the genoa. Sailed across Pennyhole Bay towards The Walton Backwaters. Picked up the safe water mark and port and stbd markers without difficulty. Dropped the sails and followed a smaller yacht past Island Point NCM and up the tortuous channel around Stone Point. Straightforward after we got into the Walton Channel and sailed between the moored yachts. Entrance to Titchmarsh Marina is reputaedly the shallowest part but we didn't see less than 4 metres of water on a rising tide. Moored up in the marina and went to pay dues of about £20. Tested dingy out before going for a meal in the Harbour Lights restaurant on site. Went for a walk down by the river after meal and witnessed a fabulous sunset.
Engine hours: 1
Day 3 - Wed 12 June 2013
Waited for tide to reach 3m at marina entrance before leaving at 11.10 am (HW 14.51). Winds were building with forecast F5/F6 with F7 later! Minimum depth at Stone Point 3m. Flew back across Pye Sands at up to 7.5 kts as unable to reef genoa (winding drum kept slipping). Passed Levington at 1300 and back to Fox's by 1430.
Set off from Fox's at 10.00 am. Motored up to Woolverstone and called ahead to pick up fuel. As Woolverstone was having problems with their fuel bowser carried on up Levington. Into Levington about 12.00 am and took on 25 litres of fuel. Departed 12.30 pm, sailed up around Shotley Spit and across to Harwich Pier to take a look and then sailed off up the Stour. Picked up a bouy at Wrabness and enjoyed a late lunch. Had the Genoa out, but not for long! After a relaxed lunch sailed back up to Shotley. Entered the marina via the lock and had to initially reverse back from the lock entrance when we found it to be full. Berthed at 5.30 pm. Paid the marina fees and then settled down in the "Shipwreck" for an evening of good beer and food!
Engine hrs: 5.5
Day 2 - Tues 11 June 2013
Departed Shotley marina about 11.00 (waiting for the tide) and headed out of the Orwell/Stour estuary past Landguard Point and into the open sea. Reasonable wind from the east so hoisted the mainsail for the first time and shook out the genoa. Sailed across Pennyhole Bay towards The Walton Backwaters. Picked up the safe water mark and port and stbd markers without difficulty. Dropped the sails and followed a smaller yacht past Island Point NCM and up the tortuous channel around Stone Point. Straightforward after we got into the Walton Channel and sailed between the moored yachts. Entrance to Titchmarsh Marina is reputaedly the shallowest part but we didn't see less than 4 metres of water on a rising tide. Moored up in the marina and went to pay dues of about £20. Tested dingy out before going for a meal in the Harbour Lights restaurant on site. Went for a walk down by the river after meal and witnessed a fabulous sunset.
Engine hours: 1
Day 3 - Wed 12 June 2013
Waited for tide to reach 3m at marina entrance before leaving at 11.10 am (HW 14.51). Winds were building with forecast F5/F6 with F7 later! Minimum depth at Stone Point 3m. Flew back across Pye Sands at up to 7.5 kts as unable to reef genoa (winding drum kept slipping). Passed Levington at 1300 and back to Fox's by 1430.
First Sail - 5 June 2013
Arrived at the marina with brother Rich at approx 11.00 am. After a look round the chandlery and purchase of a life jacket got the boat ready and headed out at approx 12.00 pm. Due to an easterly headwind we motored downriver past Woolverstone and Pin Mill to just beyond Levington Marina. Had intended anchoring in the bay beyond but there was a lack of anticipated shelter from the wind so we settled for mooring to a bouy just east of the marina entrance. Whilst enjoying sandwiches and a beer another boat sailed past to pick up an adjoining bouy. After a couple of tries to attach a line to the bouy they gave up and headed into Levington. Only after they left did we notice a lot of mud had been disturbed and they appeared to have been oddly stationery at one point - we believe they had gone aground!
After lunch we slipped the mooring and sailed under genoa back to Fox's arriving back about 4.00 pm.
Total sail time: 3 hours
Total engine hours: 1.5
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