Stour and Orwell

We arrived in Harwich Haven on Wednesday evening and parked remarkably successfully in a very tight spot on Ha'penny Pier. We relocated to a more generous berth in the morning.
We had a look around Old Harwich in the morning, which surprised and impressed the crew with its history and charm. Then we set off up river, in a fairly stiff breeze to practise tacking and gybing. When we had got good at that we went further and anchored at Wrabness for afternoon tea.
We went to Shotley Marina in the evening, had salmon for dinner and visited "The Shipwreck".
On Friday we had a leisurely start before locking out and sailing out of Harwich Haven into the open sea. We had intended to do some man overboard drills, but had second thoughts when a fog bank appeared, obscuring anything beyond Dovercourt. We then had third thoughts when it disappeared. The crew very successfully retrieved the traditional casualty (a fender tied to a coil of rope) on the first pass each time. We then had a lost dinghy situation: Caley Toucan of Inverness was rescued just as efficiently. We did some heaving to, before having a beautiful sail back into the Haven and up the Orwell to Woolverstone.
We enjoyed a meal out on the terrace at Buttermans before walking to the Butt and Oyster. This met with the crew's approval. We then returned in the dark along the riverside path to Woolverstone.


Toucando on Ha'penny Pier at Harwich


Street scene in Harwich


Approaching Wrabness (picture courtesy of SY Bonify


At Shotley with Harwich in the distance


Lovely sailing on the Orwell


The crew enjoying a pre-dinner drink


Approaching the Butt and Oyster


Dusk at the Butt and Oyster

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Location:United Kingdom

We're in Harwich

We had a brilliant afternoon sailing from Lowestoft taking advantage of a sea breeze, then an interesting night entry to Harwich. We're looking forward to a couple of days local sailing before the East Coast event in Ipswich at the weekend.


The leaving of Lowestoft


The Suffolk coast


Sea breeze


Sunset

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Location:Felixstowe,United Kingdom

The mystic east: we are in Lowestoft

New crew arrived in Grimsby. We did quite a lot of sorting out on the boat to deal with the consequences of the extended stay in Eyemouth, went shopping, and enjoyed a pork stir fry aboard.
On Monday we motored out of the Royal Docks, the home of our hosts the Grimsby and Cleethorpes Yacht Club, and went to refuel at the Humber Cruising Association's base in the fish docks.
It turned out to be a long motor sail to Lowestoft: we were only able to turn the engine off for an hour or so. The sun set as we approached the north Norfolk coast, then rose as we approached Great Yarmouth. We listened with concern to reports of a fellow yachtsman running aground. We slowed our speed so we would arrive in Lowestoft when the marina staff were up and about. We were allocated a berth at the Royal Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club, and once moored had a quick breakfast and (in the case of the skipper) caught up on lost sleep.
We had enjoyed our night passage, identifying ships, buoys and lighthouses. Lowestoft is the most easterly place in Britain. It also feels like home territory, even though I haven't been here for over thirty years. Soon we'll be on the Orwell and Stour where I first started sailing.


Grimsby


Ships in the Royal Dock manoeuvre very close


Our stir fry


... And dessert


Our night passage to Lowestoft


The crew stow the mainsail












Lowestoft views


The skipper on the pier may be the most easterly person in Britain
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Location:London Road North,Lowestoft,United Kingdom

Grimsby at last

Suffice it to say we're in Grimsby. It was a long haul from Scarborough. Little wind. The coastline to Flamborough Head was spectacular. A horrible fog developed in the Humber, then we had a very long wait for the lock into Royal Docks. The full story will be told in due course. Thank you to Ian for helping get Toucando here from Eyemouth.




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Location:Westgate,Grimsby,United Kingdom

Blyth Spirits

We're in Blyth, enjoying pints of Fair Wind bitter in the old wooden lightship which serves as the clubhouse of the Royal Northern Yacht Club.
The day started with the relaunch of Toucando at Eyemouth. A few formalities had to be completed and then we set off. The new bow thruster was brilliant: not only did it thrust the bow perfectly, it made a beautiful purring noise.
We headed off down the coast, past Berwick. We were back in English waters after ever so long in the Celtic world. Then there was Lindisfarne, the Farne Islands, various castles, a few puffins. It was good to be afloat and moving again going along one of the most spectacular coastlines in Britain. Thanks go to Ian for crewing and bringing his local knowledge of the area.
Tomorrow we head for Scarborough, and then on to Grimsby.















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Location:Blyth,United Kingdom

On the move again

This morning Toucando was craned back into the water. The bow thruster was checked and found to be watertight. We fueled and got ready to leave. It is a bright day with a light south easterly wind: not ideal, but we are making good progress under motor. We're just approaching Lindisfarne now and hope to stop overnight in Blythe. Things are now looking promising for our weekend arrival in Grimsby.


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Future plans: Eyemouth to Southampton: July and August

Toucando is currently in Eyemouth. She will be heading south tomorrow (Thursday 11th July), with the aim of arriving in Grimsby on Saturday 13th for the OGA50 event there (Old Gaffers Association anniversary). If anybody wishes to join and can be in Eyemouth by about 0900 you can do that section without cost.
Between the weekend of 13th/14th July and Friday 19thw July Toucando will be sailing towards Ipswich for the OGA50 event there on the weekend of 20th/21st July. This leg, and the weekend are already fully crewed.
The week beginning Monday 21st July I will be on the East Coast with family and friends up to and including the weekend of 27th/28th July. There may be some opportunity for day sailing on the Orwell and Stour Rivers - get in touch if interested.
Between Monday 29th July and Friday 2nd August I will be getting from Ipswich to Ramsgate for the OGA50 event there on 3rd and 4th August. This could include stops at various Essex destinations, a crossing to the Low Countries or a trip up the Thames to London.
From Monday 5th to Friday 9th August I plan to cruise the eastern channel - on the English or French sides. This could extend into the weekend of 10th and 11th. I would aim to be at a Solent Harbour on or soon after Monday 12th August - probably Haslar in Gosport. All the above-mentioned legs have crewing opportunities.
Toucando will be participating in the culmination of OGA50 - the Cowes Jubilee Festival from Thursday 15th to Sunday 18th August. She will then return to Southampton thereby completing her circumnavigation.
The remainder of August will be given over to a well deserved rest.
If you are interested in crewing please get in touch via toucando(at)citybeat(dot)org(dot)uk.


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Location:North Street,Eyemouth,United Kingdom