Out of Lockdown 23

 

Dawn casts its golden glow over the Harwich skyline, as Stargazer puts to sea.

Despite the early hour (05.00), the skipper of the Trident Voyager 30 'Tanya' (pictured above - earlier), helps us on our way. Yesterday we had discussed techniques, for safely exiting our berths solo, given the beam wind, a lack of  midship cleats and the large powerboat astern. We could not identify one. Instead, this kind offer of help was generously made and gratefully accepted.

Incident free exit achieved, I drop two reefs into Stargazer's main and settle down to watch the sunrise. In the shelter of the river we make stately progress in fourteen knots of breeze. The low sun paints the water a rich deep blue, as we sight the cranes of Felixstowe.

Clear of Landguard Point, the breeze pipes up to twenty knots . Stargazer puts her shoulder down and goes, ploughing a straight white furrow across the cobalt waves.

It is low water springs, as we beat through the Medusa Channel, toward Walton on the Naze . Least depth under our keel, one point four metres. Speed over the ground, seven knots. The frisson, which that combination brings, is the price we pay for carrying a fair tide out of the Orwell and picking up six hours of southbound tide at the Naze.

Our fair tide propels us on our way, down the Wallet and through the Spitway. Raising our speed over the ground and the apparent wind with it. On Stargazer beats, through the morning. In twenty two knots of breeze now. Truly glorious sailing.

We ride the flood up the river Crouch. Still beating. The funneling effect, of the river, bending the breeze, allowing us to follow the twists in the channel without tacking. Up past the red brick frontage of Burnham on Crouch, Stargazer sails.

Into the shelter of the harbour. To rest awhile beneath its high grassy banks.