May. 21, 2007 - Weekend With Stargazer

I (Kim) went up to the boat on Friday night, stopping off at Tescos to pick up victuals for the weekend. After arriving at the boat, getting sorted, having an eaving meal etc it was about 1.00am by the time I kipped down for the night.

Up bright and early Saturday morning, John arrived shortly after 9.00am. We had a quick breakfast of bacon rolls, started up the engine and then decided it was too windy. An hour later, after a wander up to the Chandelry, we decide to go for it and executed a perfect departure from the berth. The wind hadn't actually got any less, more a case of deciding we had to go for it.

Peters Opal had moved Emjaytoo to a berth on "N" Pontoon, where there was plenty of room to manoeuvre, so it wasn't really that big a deal.

Had a good run down the Orwell under Genoa only and then raised the main around Felixstowe, put two reefs in and were later glad we had. Headed out beyond Languard Point and the wind steadily built up to in excess of 20 knots. She slammed a bit but otherwise took it all in her stride. Eventually the wind got up to 25 knots and after we saw the Harwich Lifeboat towing in a Britannia Sailing School Janneau 35 with her mast in bits all over the coachroof, we decided to turn around and head back towards Shotley.

Locked in to Shotley without any problems, thanks to John's "local knowledge" regarding the cross tide on the narrow channel leading up to the lock. After sorting out the boat and then ourselves, we found our way to the Bristol Arms for a few well deserved pints and a substantial evening meal!

A leisurely start to Sunday, with a full fried breakfast. Exited the berth and locked out in to the river in text book fashion (it has to go wrong again soon!). We part sailed, part motored up the Stour and anchored for a late morning coffee break and then turned round and beat back towards Felixstowe. By the time we got back in to the Orwell the wind had dropped right off and we motored all the way back to Ipswich. Got to the lock bang on high tide so got free flow straight through. With little wind, the stern to berthing went absolutely to plan and we tied up around 3.30pm.

Cleared the boat up and headed back home to Kent.

The weekend was a roaring success, finally managed to put Emjaytoo through her paces and had a great time with John.

For those of you who want a picture, here is one.

And here is another one of the “Proud Dad”