Wanting to take two sets of friends on trips to Conyer, a Finesse group from the island YC and my sister and friends’ trip, postponed from last year, we contacted Swale marina for a berth.

Swale Marina was closed to visitors for the Covid-19 Summer of 2020 and had remained closed since. I had booked a Finesse run for July, expecting all to be well, but alas, it was put on ice for the marina had not changed its operating policy.

So, I contacted Conyer Creek Marina – yes they were content with visitors. A berth was booked.

This was a place we had often dropped into in years past, but not for a very long time. Visitors are generally berthed on an outside pontoon and one largely sits in the creek bed.

We had sailed round from Chatham on an indifferent day of cloud and some drizzly bits, but it was a cracking sail, with a good breeze all the way. The night was spent in the South Deep, a tranquil and undemanding anchorage provided winds are not strongly from the east of west, when it becomes uncomfortable.

Note: currently: June/July 2021, the Swale Marina waiting buoys are missing. Can one assume the ground tackle has been lifted: these buoys took up much of the best anchoring room.

The tides were early and late, so we departed around 0530 for the short trip up Conyer Creek.

The bed/channel of the buoyed swatch across the mud flats fronting the north of the old brickworks wharf had bee looked at from the dinghy a couple of weeks earlier – it was clear that traffic was light for only a few ‘mud scuffles’ could be seen. I could not see if all the withies were in place marking the main channel.

There was plenty od water.

One of the odd things about the creek’s buoyage is the lack of a ‘start’ buoy. The big red can does not fit into this criteria. I either line up the reds or green and head in, a slightly miscued start is soon corrected as the echo sounder finds the ‘middle’ though. There was plenty of depth for our less than a metre draft.

It has been a little while since we have been up into Conyer, for obvious reasons!

There was no wind to speak of and certainly nothing of a northerly on the forecast, otherwise I would have sailed.

The creek is, as always, very well buoyed.

For those who have not been up, do so it is simplicity in itself. Go on a rising tide…

There is a shower and toilet facility at Conyer Creek Marina. Access is via a coded gate down the lane beyond the fine waterside village inn.

Now: the Ship Inn is currently NOT serving evening food. The owners are also finishing off a revamp of the galley.

Catering staff of all sorts are seemingly in short supply – I heard an economist trying to figure this out in answer to a question on BBC Radio 4’s business news some days ago. Essentially, the belief is that staff laid off or initially furloughed have found jobs elsewhere and are contented with their new roles. But that isn’t the full story … largely over the top of my head!

Swale Marina, is, I understand from a contact in the Medway Swale Boating Association, now open for visitors and they have asked it to be publicised.

I would be very interested to know what the criteria was for remaining shut, especially in the climate of ‘stay local’ which was the order of last summer. If I get up there, I will ask.

I know of a number of groups who have tried to book and others who have not carried out plans to go this way this season.

Some semblance of normality would be a boon for all…