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Firework Cruise - 4th – 6th November 2011		Ipswich Haven Marina was booked well in advance for this cruise, then a month before I receive a phone call from them, saying that all power would be switched off on the Sunday from 0830 until 1700, resulting in a non operational lock. This information was placed on the advertisement, but didn’t seem to deter anybody as 17 boats signed up. On the Thursday morning 17 boats soon became 9 as heavy rain was forecast for the whole weekend. Roly and Les on board Mistress and John Robinson on board Atlantis left on the Friday morning, and the texts soon start coming through. The day started miserable and wet for them but soon improved. Sitting at work, I have to place my phone on silent with all the message from dear Roly. Message came through when they were off Pin Mill, sea state was just like a mill pond and sun was out. Lunchtime another message to say, they were both tied up in marina beer in hands and enjoying the sunshine. At this point I log off my computer and make my way to Walton to meet Nick. We slip our mooring around 3pm Alan and Nona on Radiance were an hour ahead of us. Nice conditions, no coats required, it was really mild out there. Roly is soon texting away again, Nick Parnell on Lazy Days has arrived and he also arranges our berth number for us. We arrive around 5.45, mooring crew (Roly and Les) were ready and soon had us all tied up, then it was time for gin and tonic on board Mistress. Supplies were running low so Beryl hotfooted it over to ChipperToo and supplied more. We then all enjoyed a good meal at the Punch and Judy. It did rain Friday night, but it was all over by 10am Saturday morning, then there was no more. Saturday saw retail therapy and also the arrival of Mascot, Iceni, Lady H and Bella Ropha. It was very nice to be able to welcome 2 newcomers to our club cruise – Bella Ropha and Lady H. Drinks and nibbles were served on board Tamissa late afternoon. After a few glasses of wine and beer it was time to take the 20 minute to Christchurch Park for the fireworks, we work our way through the crowds and find a good spot at the front. Display was excellent, better than last years. Theme this year was Sporting Anthems. Back on board alarm clocks are set for the early rise. We get up at 7.30 ready to go soon after 8. Even the Harbour Master was up and about early to make sure everyone that was going was up and about, so that no one was stuck there. Freeflowed out of the lock, then it was back to Walton to strip down and lay up for the winter.   Janice Wood
Organiser – Janice Wood
Participants
Vessel Name	Onboard
Tamissa	Nick & Janice Wood
Mistress	Roly Jarrold & Les Houghton
Atlantis	John Robinson
Lazy Days	Nick & Lesley Parnell
Radiance	Alan & Nona Manning
Mascot	Phil Stanton, Elizabeth Milne, Chris & Sue Opperman
Iceni	David & Sue Soper
Bella Ropha	John Beale & Family
Lady H	John & Heather Hale, Ricky Farance & family
ChipperToo	Beryl Chalmers & Simon Palmer

Crouch Cruise - 30th July to 2nd August 2011			The first planned cruise to the Crouch for a few years was blessed with fair weather for the whole weekend. The good forecast prompted a number of boats to make the trip a day early and spend the Friday night in Burnham. An early start on Saturday enabled the fleet to arrive at North Fambridge by lunchtime although there was limited sailing due to lack of wind (we managed to sail the Wallet only, motoring the rest). Luxala was well down in the water on Friday evening, hosting drinks for 16! For the evening, most visited the Bistro in the marina. This was unanimously voted the best (and best value for money) food sampled on the East Coast for some while. It was with trepidation (and memories of the under-estimated distance of my previous walk from Heybridge to Maldon) that a group assembled for the Sunday morning ramble. We managed to avoid walking along busy roads, crossing fields of crops in blue bloom (thought to be linseed or flax - we're no experts) reaching a local high point (well, at least 40 metres) with wide-ranging views over the Crouch and surrounding land. After a stroll back down the hill, lunch was taken in the garden of the Ferry Boat Inn. The evening was BBQ time. Unfortunately there isn't really a suitable area at Fambridge so we congregated in the car park, balancing BBQs on yacht cradles. That evening was a very low tide so everyone was aground, especially Norma Ann who had mud banks either side of the hull. On Monday morning we all departed Fambridge, mostly to Burnham Yacht Harbour. The afternoon was spent around the town and we met in the evening in the Swallowtail Restaurant for a group meal. Most left Burnham mid-morning on Tuesday against the flood tide to ensure that we could get across Pye Sands before we ran out of water. Mike Lightwing
Organiser – Mike Lightwing
Participants
Vessel		Onboard
Lady Adila		Moreno & Pam Riva
Norma Ann		Alan & Norma Banks
Tortuga		David Mason & Sylvia Bone
Blue Moon 2		David & Barbara Bone
Mistress of Hamford		Roly Jarrold & Les Houghton
Souvenance		Brian & Pat Allen
Mascot		Phil Stanton & Chris Opperman
Sonsy Lady		Carl & Janice Targett
Luxala		Mike & Carol Lightwing
Pyramid		Bob & Merrill Hawken
Photos (click to enlarge)
Photographer - Moreno Riva

 

Brightlingsea Cruise -18th June 2011			This cruise was relocated to Ipswich as a rather inauspicious forecast meant that some skippers withdrew altogether from sailing that weekend. Those who decided to sail to Ipswich as an alternative venue actually had good sailing off the wind in both directions. Surely a world record for WFYC cruises! Infrequent showers did not spoil the socialising and Pyramid entertained the crews of Atlantis, Mistress and Linnet to afternoon tea and cake followed by happy hour drinks. The next day we were joined by the rest of the cruisers, Icini II, Nejmah and Tamissa. Having just had a birthday, Roly invited all for celebratory drinks on Mistress, from where we all departed to the Punch & Judy pub for supper. A good time was had by all with the usual banter and good humour making for an enjoyable weekend cruise. My thanks to all who supported the cruise when last minute changes to planning were necessary.   Bob Hawken.
Organiser -
Participants
Vessel		Onboard

 

Blackwater Cruise - 12th - 15th May 2011			Having failed to make it to Heybridge last year (strong NE forecast), the forecast for the cruise this year was much more promising. So promising that Foreland Gull and Gypsy Rose travelled to Heybridge early. Seven boats smade the trip down on the Thursday into a moderate W-NWly which meant a sail to the entrance to the Blackwater and (for most) motoring from there. Six boats stayed in Bradwell (the Green Man still serves a oood pint) and M'Lady anchored off Osea Island. An early start on Friday morning saw all rafted in Heybridge Basin by 9.30 a.m. in fine weather. To make the most of the day most set off to walk into Maldon for lunch via the sea wall. Not all made it as it was a little further than the predicted 2-2.5 miles. The food and drink in the Queen's Head on the quayside made the walk worthwhile and the return trip via the canal path seemed a lot shorter. David Bone provided some afternoon entertainment as he was hoisted up his mast to fix a sail furling problem. In the evening we took over the upstairs room in the Old Ship for a group meal. Just as we finished eating, the last two boats arrived on the evening tide. The weather on Saturday was not as kind (and some legs were still tired from Friday's walk). A number had visitors, some went shopping in Heybridge by dinghy, some walked again. The evening was rather cold and windy so the planned barbeque was shelved (apart from the intrepid Woods) and after a group drink, most retired to eat on board. Sunday's return trip in a NWly was generally uneventful except that arrival at Pye Sands more or less coincided with LW so there were a few close shaves with various bits of mud and sand (I was stuck in the marina entrance for a while). The Lock Keeper at Heybridge Basin was as welcoming as ever and the weekend seemed to have been enjoyed by all. Mike Lightwing
Organiser -
Participants
Vessel		Onboard
Blue Moon		David & Barbara Bone
Firecrest		Jim & Doreen Crockwell
Foreland Gull		Malcolm Jolly
Gypsy Rose		Mike & Helen Stokoe
Jupita		Peter & Mrs Bacon, Graham & Christine Godward
Luxala		Mike & Carol Lightwing
M'Lady		Bryan & Marilyn Ward
Norma Ann		Alan & Norma Banks
Pyramid		Bob & Merrill Hawken
Sonsy Lady		Carl & Janice Targett
Tamissa		Nick & Janice Wood
Tortuga		David Mason & Sylvia Bone

 

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