Maldon

We both went to Maldon yesterday. Been a couple of times before (see last years Old Gaffers race meeting Blog entry). Also went (several years ago) to a conference on the barge Oxygen (with The Prince's Trust).








There is now a wonderful childrens water park and pirate ship (free I think) and it's only 30 miles from Walden (an easy journey for an afternoon out but bet it gets packed in the holidays).













Even the toilets (free) are modern, clean and well looked after.

Fish and chips at the Jolly Sailor.

The lady tying the decorative knots was there (bought bracelets for the older grandkids).

A stroll round the town then home.

Too much excitement

Last night (or rather this morning ....02.30am) we had some excitement (or what passes for excitement around here).

Dee woke me (God knows how she knew something was happening) to tell me that a boat had gone aground outside our house.

Looked out. Small yacht with a tender on the forshore. Couldn't see any lights or any sign of life. Maybe it had broken away from its moorings and I could claim salvage rights? (No such luck).

I rang the Thames Coastguard Station (our next door neighbours) to ask them if they had seen it.

Them "Where is it?"

Me "Outside your front window about a hundred yards away to your left"

Them...."Oh, hadn't seen that... So?"

Me....."Don't you think we should take a look at it?"

Them...."OK, if you want to".

I got dressed and went, risking waking all my other neighbours as their security lights went on.

On the way to the boat the coastguard appeareed on the beach. We went to the edge of the surf together. (Romantic .... NOT.)

Shouted. Still no signs of life (there might have been but I had forgotten to put my hearing aids in).

I threw a few small pebbles onto the foredeck.

Eventually a lady (as Victor Borge used to say "I sincerely hope" ) appeared.

It seems that she and her mate (male or female I couldn't tell in the moonglow) had anchored on the shore awaiting daylight before making their way to the local marina.

They hadn't got a radio.
They had a chart (but I'm not sure they knew how to read it).
They didn't appreciate that they had anchored close to the maximum high water mark and may have trouble getting off the beach as the tide started to go out. Not sure that they even appreciate when high tide was.

they did have a mobile phone and the coastguard asked them to dial 999 and ask for him so that he could speak to them without having to compete with the sound of the waves.

Later he rang me back to let me know that they had decided to wait until about 04:30 (high tide) before moving off.

How do folk get away with being so cavalier? If I went to sea less prepared in any way I am sure that it would be bound to end in disaster. Any road up, the next morning they were gone. Let's hope they didn't get stuck on Pye Sands and have to call the lifeboat (on their mobile phone) to get them out of trouble.

Trip to Levington

(Double click for larger versions and to see the repaired cranes at Felixstowe.)

Still getting to grips with a new boat and figuring out how things work (especially the electrics). Accompanied by Alec Moss who was a tremendous help and who I hope will come with me again.

Lunch in the lighthouse (not these in the pictures.)

Weather on the outward leg was OK but was terrible on the return. High winds, gale-force had been forecast (35 Knots actual) but we had decided to go anyway on the basis that if it got too bad we could stay over at Levington. Made a run for it back to the mooring, (SarNav a great help) then on to Titchmarsh to top up the diesel (before the duty is added.) Loads of little jobs to do on her next time I have a day sitting on the mooring.

Getting there

Spent another overnighter on TB yesterday. Fixing (and breaking) several things. Fortunately the previous owner had read my blog and had decided to come to my rescue with reefing the main (and the jib). Isn't everything so simple when you know how? He seemed concerned that he was interfering but I really appreciated his help and hope that he can join me on a trip soon.

Lost the port haliard and still haven't managed to fix the masthead tri-colour nav light. Removed the old radio wiring ready for having the DSC and chart plotter installed in the deckhouse on Thursday. Also expect to have a new revcounter sender fitted at the same time alongside the quay.

Motored round to Titchmarsh marina to top up MABEL's diesel. Fuel gauge now seems to be working (it only likes it when it is completely full).

Today a company should be visiting to install the reflective coating to the conservatory glass (to reduce heat). Might get a late chance to get back on the water this afternoon.