Secret Water

Stargazer lies off a shoreline alive with wildflowers, in Kirby Creek. The sound of birdsong fills the air, accompanied by the silver tongued chime of the tide running down her side.

We have sailed to Arthur Ransome's 'Secret Water.' Hamford Water, and the myriad creeks running into it, on the more prosaic official charts.

Those same charts, both electronic and paper, are in disagreement about depths. We trust in the withies to guide us in safely. Proceed under jib only, to slow our speed. We are on a rising tide. If we touch, we know we'll be able to refloat.

Our old friend Ironsides is anchored out in the main arm of Hamford Water. Stargazer sails past. Off to explore the winding (and more sheltered) Kirby Creek. Right to its head, where there is a small deep water pool off a jetty. The pool turns out to be peppered with moorings, mostly unoccupied. But who knows when their owners may return? Or what condition the ground chains are in.

We back track a little, to to an unnamed tributary, which feeds the main creek. Stargazer anchors at its mouth. We should have good shelter here. Later, the wind is forecast to strengthen from the south or southwest.

Black headed gulls, with their insistent short 'peeping' calls, throng the banks.

A family of canoeists paddle by. "Beautiful day!" They land in the tributary creek, to enjoy a Swallows and Amazons picnic, on Horsey Island.

I launch the dinghy and row off to explore Skipper's Island. Letting the still flooding tide carry me up. 

I wander the wild shoreline, enjoying the sensation of the sun on my back, a cooling breeze on my face, and warm wet marsh grass squelching oozily between my toes. A skylark trills overhead, to make the day perfect.