Fitting Up Supper

The purpose of the trip to Shotley was to attend the East Coast Forum Fitting Up Supper

But before that, I had a whole day to idle away in Shotley which looked like being a bit of a tedious excercise. However, by the time breakfast (courtesy of Sheila on Sabre once again) had been dealt with, a visit to Phoenix of Hamble (a yacht I would covet if it wasn't for the acres of varnishing that needs doing!) had been made and a wander round the HMS Ganges musuem had been completed the day was well advanced and it was time for a wash and brush up before heading up to the pub

The evening was very enjoyable with great company, good food and good beer. Retired at a sensible hour to Habebty for the night courtesy of Pete with whom I had a pleasant chat before hitting the sack.

Sunday morning came along in the usual way of things and once again breakfast was supplied by Sabre, cooked by Rog this time. Just wish it was feasible to return all this wonderful hospitality on Brigantia but it isn't really practical!

Got under way and locked out of Shotley marina about noon just as planned. A brisk 16 to 20 knot breeze made things quite lively even with two reefs in the main, which Rog had cunningly put in before we left the marina. Heading from Harwich towards Walton pier, the wind was ruthlessly from astern and it was a bit rolly polly until we could bear away and get the wind over the quarter.

From then on until we got into the outer reaches of the Blackwater it was champagne sailing ... albeit without the champagne and with a bloody chilly breeze! The wind came round more and more until, as we headed across the Colne bar (taking a short cut made possible by the neap tide) we were on a close reach and nicely in the groove.

We were hit by a couple of squalls gusting well over 20 knots which had us well heeled and cracking along at over 8 knots although the face full of hailstones was something I could have done without ... not to mention the rather blue colour of my finger tips!

Arriving back in Bradwell and with Sabre back in her berth, a final coffee warmed me up a bit before I said my goodbyes to my wonderful hosts and hit the road back towards home with the car heater on full blast!