warm weather

We arrived at the boat Thursday morning after deciding to enjoy a lay in and not head down Wednesday night, to find overcast weather. This was the cue for a 'marina day', which is code for doing absolutely nothing, and just chilling out. This went completely to plan, as we achieved sod all!Friday, we finally felt that a sail was in order, especially as the clouds had disappeared, and there was a wonderful autumnal blue sky. It was a bit chilly, but with the sun out, it felt much warmer than it was. After a family discussion, a plan was hatched to head up the Stour, another location not yet suitably explored. So we popped out of the marina, and set the sails in just 6kts of breeze and gently wafted up to Wrabness, and upon reaching it, turned round and headed back, into the tide with little wind, and thoroughly enjoyed making just 0.4kts over the ground.... perfect!We sailed past Shotley and into the Orwell, grabbed a buoy at STH for a quick cuppa and then back into the marina.... very pleasant.However, the main purpose of the weekend was the Laying down supper from the YBW forum east coast section, and by 19:00 Dave and Louise had arrived, two of our crew for the weekend. As has become tradition, Dave and I sat and drank red wine until the wee small hours, and generally put the world to rights. By 10:30 the following morning, Bernie, our 3rd crew member had arrived and we got her on board and set off.The forecast was for very very light winds, so I expected that we'd motor up to Bradwell, so was somewhat surprised to lock out and find a stiff breeze blowing. In fact by the time we'd rounded Guard buoy we had 21kts over the deck. In what can only be described as 'business as usual', it was dead on the nose, but I accepted it, knowing that as we rounded Walton headland it would be a glorious beam reach. Typically, it died right down as we reached Walton, and shifted so we had a beat the whole way up the Wallet in just 10 to 13kts.... still fun though. It was cold by the time we reached the Knoll buoy marking the entrance to the Blackwater, with grey overcast skies, so we were glad to get tied up in Bradwell.The evening consisted of a great meal in the Green Man... loads of food, loads of drink, plenty of merriment and excellent company.I awokde Sunday with a slightly fuzzy head to see a misty start to the day but with obvious potential. By the time the crew were roused and rounded up at 10:00 it was time to leave. Much later and we would have struggled for water out of Bradwell creek. So out we slipped, and into the Blackwater. What a wonderful day. The skies were brilliant blue. It wasn't hot as such, but with virtually no wind and stronf sun, it felt like a spring morning. We motored the whole way, with the wind never going above 3kts.As we came round Walton, it had become very warm indeed, and with completely flat seas and great weather, we decided to take the opportunity to relax for a tiny bit longer, so half a mile off Pye End we dropped the anchor and ate lunch out at sea. It was perfect!Soone enough we were on our way again, and locked in by 15:00.Excellent weekend! We've still got two days of annual leave to go, so not sure what we're going to do Mon/Tues... perhaps Hamford water?... weather looks settled for more of the same.

Miles logged 65nm
Miles this season 1,130nm
Miles since this blog started 2,927nm