Given our late start to the sailing season, it was good news that the Cruise started later this year. We met the Gaffers for a couple of days in the Deben and sailed down to Walton for gin-tasting at the Sailing Club.

Simon joined us as crew for the whole week arriving in Woodbridge by train from Dundee on Saturday 25 August, 2024. The original plan was to make the Passage Race to Shotley on Sunday and join the OGA fleet in the Marina. On consulting the forecasts, before setting out from the Tidemill on Saturday’s late afternoon tide, it looked distinctly uninviting. Strong winds were forecast all afternoon for Sunday, then we’d be sailing back on Monday! Instead, we enjoyed an excellent Saturday night supper at the King’s Head and spent Sunday out in the river, taking up a buoy at Waldringfield alongside James in ‘Kestrel’. He’d been sailing with his Dad in Harwich Harbour and confirmed our decision: ‘You wouldn’t have enjoyed going down there!’ On Monday no-one would be arriving before early afternoon. We sailed up and down the Deben in ideal weather conditions. Coming in close to shore to say hello to ‘Gilda’ as they arrived, we ran aground and realised they were also on the mud! As the tide rose, setting us both free, we picked up Charlie Brown’s buoy, no. 151 at Ramsholt, who’d kindly said we could borrow it. Steve was keen to test out the new e-Propulsion outboard, so he and Simon went ashore for a pint with the Gaffers while Bev cooked supper on board as the Ramsholt Arms was closing early.

Tuesday was another beautiful day to relax. Taking a buoy near the shore at Waldringfield, Steve and Simon went ashore for a walk while Bev enjoyed a quiet afternoon on the boat in the sunshine. With high water at 1830 the plan was to anchor at the Rocks for a barbecue on the beach as the water receded. Arriving in good time, we put the anchor down but were approached by a paddleboarder offering us his mooring buoy. We brought in the anchor quickly and took up the buoy. Later in the evening we watched from the shore while Ed, Will and Josie skilfully fended ‘Cachalot’ off as ‘Daisy Bell’ dragged her anchor in the notoriously poor holding mud! The barbecue was still going well as the light faded with skippers and crews returning to boats just after sunset.

With the Deben bar to negotiate and shallow water at Walton, skippers took a wide range of decisions with passage planning to ensure they reached Walton & Frinton Yacht Club in time for the afternoon Gin Tasting. We opted for an early start and set the alarm for 0530, aiming to cross the Deben bar just after high water, 0730 at Woodbridge Haven Buoy to take part in the Seaways Bells Passage Race to Walton no. 2. Drawing 2m. ‘Rely’ had set out just before dawn, followed by ‘William’ half an hour ahead of us. Sadly, the early morning brought very light winds, a glassy calm sea and the tide against us. We barely made 1 knot under sail and were forced to put the motor on! Despite this, it was an enjoyable motor-sail down the coast to make our way up the Twizzle Creek to Titchmarsh for the first time. Arriving at 1500 Steve was pleased to successfully negotiate the narrow and somewhat tortuous Walton Channel, where we ran aground last year. Those with shallower drafts left the Deben later in the day and caught the sea breeze on a beautiful sunny afternoon. We walked to Walton & Frinton Sailing Club from Titchmarsh with Clare and John, crewing on ‘Rely’.

Just in time for the gin, ‘Daisy Bell’ was hauled up to W&FYC to rest against the posts. The enjoyable and informative talk and tasting took place at 1730 and we bought ourselves a bottle. After an enjoyable evening socialising and welcoming ‘Transcur’ and ‘Clytie’ back from the Netherlands Tour, we were lucky to be offered a lift back to Titchmarsh by the Club Commodore, so no need for a long walk in the dark. Find out what we did for the second part of the week here.