I’ve been meaning to pop down to Old Leigh for a wander around the yard that was once Johnson & Jago. It is now styled as, Lower Thames Marina. There are mud berths to ‘floating’ pontoons and berths used by live-a-boards. The big shed is used for boat repairs whilst the yard’s eastern hard-standing is largely given over to craft under owner repairs and winter layup.

It is a little while since I’ve had ‘this’ wander about. Within the layup area were a number of old friends which came out of the water, in some cases, years ago. I’m certain I did a blog way back, so it can be found by scrolling back…

I dropped into the yard first of all, smiling broadly at a man that looked my way and waving. I walked round a few vessels that have, quite frankly, been out for some years. There is a clinker cutter, shapely, of 23 to 24 feet with a well raked transom. Not sure of her class, if there is one, but she is deteriorating. Her cockpit cover has given up and rain water will be pooled in her bilges. Sad. Anyway, I cam in to find a little barge yacht, Come at Last, which was rescued by a member of the little boat club just east of this yard.

The Come at Last well wrapped for the winter…

Close by this fine old barge yacht sits another. She’s now been fully covered over: I understand she’s due for a rebuild. She’s the Heron Lee, a barge yacht dating to 1913 and built by Robertson’s of Woodbridge on the River Deben. She has pedigree and it would be good to see her afloat again.

A friend had told me that a Finesse 21 was out here too. I soon found her. She’s Cumulus, a gunter rigged sloop, which is unusual. The owner has had problems with leakage around the cabin sides for some while and has decided to renew the ‘top hamper’ completely. The task is being helped along by a previous owner (Now with a nice little Seaking). Both belong to the little boat club I mentioned … they’re a caring helpful band.

My contact said that if Alan (Platt) the builder of these craft were deceased, he’d be turning in his grave … why, I thought: surely he’d be absolutely delighted that effort was being made to keep another of ‘his’ boats alive. And this is the thing, usually anything is fixable on a wooden boat if done before too much damage is done. If one has the skills, costs can be kept well below those form a yard…

The bow of Cumulus

Looking into the main cabin – I peeped under the cover…

Looking forward into main cabin – access to focsle is the ‘dark’ area beyond centre plate case and table assembly.

Leaving the yard I wandered towards the little club hut of the boat club. I spotted the barge yacht Calluna resting on her laurels, shut down for the winter. She’s owned by a sailing acquaintance who once owned the little Nancy Grey, a lovely wooden barge yacht now based in Faversham, Kent.

Calluna, a fine little ship…

The owner of Calluna took her down to Bristol this last summer. Amazingly, he bumped into my sister whilst passing though Devizes. It took him just a few moments to connect us by a ‘barge’ comment from my sister. I met the chap in the club hut and we had a little chuckle about it! For his trip, the mast was left ashore and she came home on a lorry … but the owner and his wife had a fabulous time.

Laying off the beach are two other Finesse 21s – Penny, out on the flats beyond the creek ditch and Seamew, closest in the picture below.

Seamew and Penny (beyond) awaiting the tide…

I didn’t go any further along the front: I got chatting, as like-minded sailors do and time flew.

It was time to high-tail it home to get the soup on for lunch: the Mate would be back from meeting old pals over coffee, feeling hungry!

Yes, its good to get out and look around like this, although I often feel saddened by what I see, there is often a happiness too in seeing a loved craft being rejuvenated…

Well over two years ago I sent Yachting Monthly an article discussing what goes on in a salt marsh creek yacht club’s work party: very often the yachting press covers the good deeds of ‘club officers’, but it is rare, if unknown, for the guys (boys and girls) who do what is needed to make the club operate…

So, I wrote about it and the result has been a guest column!

The biography of me has been intermixed with a lady though … I wrote to YM and said, ‘I know I’m on medication for my prostate cancer, but hadn’t realised I’d changed sex … and my wife can assure you that all is in order!’ The editor said they’ll get it right next time…

It provided a good laugh for the guys and gals in my club’s work party: they nicknamed be ‘Nicola’!

Article courtesy of Yachting Monthly.

‘No boats…’ my mate said, when we booked a holiday in East Kent – an area briefly looked into many years ago on a flying visit to Sandwich. With the Isle of Thanet, the eastern part of Kent is oft forgotten as a place of interest. We had a thoroughly good time and saw some amazing sights…

Boats: yes, I found lots! Some in museums and others sitting either disused or fit for purpose.

I’ll start with Broadstairs (close by Ramsgate), where we walked down through the town’s entrance gate – once fortified against pirates and the French. The term ‘gate’ in these Eastern Kent place names harps to there being an entrance to the land from the sea. The gate led down onto the tiny harbour. This was a place much loved by Dickens and his old house sits overlooking the sea above the harbour in Viking Bay.

A fairly modern motor fishing launch, probably used for crabbing.

On the harbour top was a clinker launch in fairly good condition. It was being used as a ‘money box’ though and it was unclear if she had ceased to function as a fishery vessel. She had sturdy lines with, as can be seen, with a good rise in sheer to her high bow.

On one of our days, we spent it walking Deal … along the beach were a few older style fishing boats, some in a poor condition. There were several grp modern boats, but had the look of ‘day fishing’ types.

Lady Irene is of a typical type..

Note the lute stern, that is a counter stern built around the transom, which was decked over. Bit like a buoyancy tank…

Looking aft inside the Lady Irene. Note the wide beam and pinched stern – not unlike a 1970 cruiser/racer!

The other thing to note about the Lady Irene is that her tiller is clearly designed to move around a transom stepped mast for a lug sail. Note the ‘U’ kink…

This clinker launch looked pretty ordinary: it could of hailed from any part of our coasts. Her engine has been removed.

This old girl has the look of ‘Hastings’ but pretty standard for the Channel coasts of Kent. Her days look numbered.

Note the traditional step for boarding and alighting when launching and beaching…

This mini-model looked more loved…

Later, we found our way to The Deal Maritime Museum where there are a number of old craft on display.

A Deal Galley – Saxon King.

The Deal galley was a long open boat very similar to the Cornish Gig.  They would be between 27 and 32 ft in length with fine lines. There were up to four or six oars.  They also be fitted with a mast with a dipping lug.  They were clinker built with  elm planking on ash frames.  They were generally used to take pilots to and from ships lying in the downs.  Often the galleys would hook onto a ship and be towed along without the ship stopping – not unusual: this is still the basic method used by modern pilot boats, although powering alongside, not attaching…

Apparently there is another Deal galley in the Dover Museum.  For more information on ‘Kent Craft’, see: http://www.kenttraditionalboat.org.uk/index.html

A very fine stern…

An old ships’ lifeboat from the Southend Britannia, a estuary pleasure ferry which went out to the Dunkirk beaches.

This old ships’ lifeboat called Tender Too from the Southend Britannia. The boat lifted men from the Dunkirk beaches in 1940.

Outside in an uncovered yard is another larger collection of old boats. I am afraid to say that this is not the best place for them: they are slowly but surely decaying by an onslaught of sun and rain – fresh water, yes, the enemy of all wooden craft.

In the outside area there was no information boards at all…

This is a ‘whaler’ type…

These two pictures shows what can happen if exhibits are placed in such conditions…

I would have liked to have found out more information about these ‘out-door’ craft.

Unless something is done  to preserve these craft in a proper manner, then I don’t believe they’ll be around in a decade. This is one of the problems that these small provincial museums have, sadly.

The museum is certainly worthy of a visit for it covers the town of Deal too.

I have become aware of another Finesse 24 up for sale. She is a lovely gaffer called Mariette. The lovely lady was owned by a friend for a number of years before he sold her to the current owner.

The vessel had her centre plate removed some years ago, but, being a gaffer, it doesn’t seem to have affected her sailing ability greatly.

Picture of Mariette sailing in company with Whimbrel a few seasons ago.

The vessel has been well looked after. An owner many years ago converted her to gaff rig – she’s a beauty!

Mariette has a very extensive locker of goodies and would be ready to sail away…

See: https://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/Classic-sailing-boats-for-sale/a-f-platt-finesse-24-gaff-cutter/282105?utm_source=newsnow&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=sailbo&fbclid=IwAR0OzvF5qPCwyF46M3b14TLIMVzMotxhe9g2dJAiXvcHo8PLQkn3vbmEw_U

I would ask any buyer to contact me: I am current keeper of class owner records, and to also join the Finesse Facebook Group (a closed group for members only)

See: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1518607771700636/?ref=bookmarks

Mariette on the River Medway.

Contact: Colin Ramsay at colinramsay2006@hotmail.com. Tel: 07368 415432. Colin is happy for prospective buyers to make direct contact.

Boat is based at the Benfleet Yacht Club, Essex.

I was reminded recently soon after the latest RYA magazine fluttered through the letter box about seeing an autonomous vessel in Harwich Harbour.

The Autumn 2019 RYA magazine carries an article about an autonomous vessel crossing the North Sea this summer. The one in question sailed from West Mersea to Oostende in 22 hours with a ‘cargo’ of oysters. The operation was sponsored by UK’s Maritime & Coast Guard Agency, Department of Transport, Foreign & Commonwealth Office, the European Space agency and partners in Europe.

Photo of picture in RYA magazine – courtesy of RYA Magazine.

The vessel’s name is USV Maxlimer and was developed by Sea-Kit International of Tollesbury. The boat was built by Hushcraft Ltd in West Mersea and Tollesbury. Her base is said to be Maldon – amongst the fleet of Thames spritsail barges!

See:

SEA-KIT docks in Belgium to complete first ever international commercial uncrewed transit

It was all carried out with the use of GPS using a Global Situational Awareness system via an internet feed allowing remote access to CCTV cameras and controls. Maybe some of you will have seen her about.

I didn’t!

But, I did see this one in Harwich Harbour. She was being ‘shepherded’ out of the harbour across The Shelf by an escort … as we sailed in. The boat’s name is Intrepid Barracuda. Where she was going I do not know. We didn’t hear anything on Harwich VTS, so assume was doing trials.

I did find this on line though…

https://www.abports.co.uk/media/aypp4aqj/abp-lowestoft-ntm-no-23-2019.pdf

So, there we are. She was on trial!

The Intrepid Barracuda in Harwich Harbour.

I am sure that in the future we will see far more of these types of vessel in our coastal waters. I am sure though that unlike some yachts (in particular) which seem to go about on an auto pilot in congested waters, the ‘real’ thing’s cameras will tell an operator or an interface that you are in its way!

I had an ‘incident’ in late August where a yacht kept on coming up our stern … only veering away as I made a course adjustment to prevent chance of a collision. There was a ‘bloke’ aboard in the cockpit, but he made no acknowledgement … roll on full automation!

As an ex sea going engineer officer who keeps abreast of things, I am aware of shipping developments – the Japanese are to trial an ocean voyage, a ore bulker, I believe to Australia…

Interesting developments.

I was busy working among the merry band of members at my yacht club yesterday (Saturday) at the weekend work party when I saw a boat in slings coming into a new section of yard we’ve taken over from a boat yard. We’re busy ripping out decrepit rickety finger jetties and rebuilding new sound ones – it has been a continuing job for over a year now, but progress is being made. The ‘powers to be’ have decided that the new yard will be used to lay up those boats which are either in long term lay up or seemingly approaching the abandonment point! It reminded me of something I saw which saddened me and my wife at a marina during the summer.

I know my last blog was about craft close to little hope of redemption, but all of us sailors must have seen craft afloat, that had the look of not being cared for.

So, how often do you look around as you wander back to your boat, after a shower say, with a chippy feeling that is curtailed as one’s eye catches the sight of a craft that has sat neglected for many months, if not longer?

The craft and its whereabouts will not be revealed, but I’m sure someone will recognise her, suffice to say I spotted her in the north of my east coast sailing grounds…

The mooring lines on the boat’s deck cleats caught my eye first. There is no way these had been removed and retied in many months – most probably last year or further into the past.

Mooring line solidified with verdigris…

Then my eye saw some of her fenders on the point dropping overboard due to frayed and sun rotted lines.

Rotting fender lines…

Then to a tangled mass of ‘congealed’ rope at the mast foot came into view … nothing in that lot had moved for a long time.

At the mast foot…

On the fore deck was another tangle with hanging coils of genoa sheet and mooring lines.

On the fore deck…

Walking along the mooring finger where this poor girl sat I saw that the growth on her rudder (she had two and the other was out of sight…) was so thick that it was clear she wouldn’t be able to go anywhere in a hurry: the bottom would be in same condition.

Hull growth…

During this summer, we had to beach Whimbrel on two occasions – the first to remove weed and copious layer of barnacles on the ‘flat’ bottom, and secondly, fresh weed growth around the wind/water area down to around half draft. For us, it is easy: we careen her over and get to it! It doesn’t take long on shingle of sandy bank and many people do this during their season. I remember an ‘old boy’ telling me up in the River Deben that he beached his boat three times in the sailing season for a scrub…

Whimbrel’s mate getting under…

I did note though that the vessel had been fitted with a clean mainsail cover and a modicum of cleaning had been done on deck with a scattering of ‘dropped’ tools, so, maybe, there is an owner about somewhere who has begun a long task…

I looked up on various sales sited for the class of boat seen and I was quite shocked. The list price for craft of her type dating to 2003-05 period ranged from £99,000 to £115,000. It caused me to swallow hard!

Apologies to the owner, if you should read this, but I was greatly saddened.

After the trials and tribulations of last summer and my subsequent treatment for prostate cancer, I decided during the spring of this year (with my good Mate’s agreement) to go wandering this summer.

The boat’s travels ranged from North Kent up to Iken Cliff on the River Alde, covering a few miles short of 700 n.miles during period away from home. The distance is modest against those that go on long coastal voyages in all probability, but for us it has been a pleasant meander. I’ll suffix that with an exception … being wind bound on two occasions – once in Titchmarsh for five whole days. Now Titchmarsh is a lovely marina, but amenities and stores are a good walk away!

However, my time cocooned from the worst of the high winds wasn’t wasted. I had a bit of a wander through what is euphemistically called the ‘graveyard’ by Titchmarsh Marina staff looking at the various craft that are at death’s door or close to it.

I came across a sad and forlorn looking Sea King – a 24-footer, I believe – which has clearly come to the end of her sailing days and will eventually find her way to a funeral pyre…

The Sea King Halcyon appears doomed…

Inside, her cabin still ‘glowed’ in varnished mahagany.

The cockpit was a mass of various bits including her rudder. Below her sails have clearly been rifled over and parts have already ‘walked’…

The boat’s stem clearly shows her main problem – ‘iron’ rot.

The Sea King is essentially a ‘grown up Dauntless’ – her lines and hull shape show this. It isn’t surprising for her creator, Reg Patten, served his time with the Dauntless Boatbuilders of Canvey Island.

Close by the Finesse 24, Halda, still languishes in a continual state of slow demise. Much equipment has been taken (purchased, I understand to offset unpaid charges) but a perfectly good centre plate winch is still bolted to the cockpit bulkhead! The deepness of keel and completely different hull lines created by Alan Platt can be seen – a proper little yacht!

Halda moulders on…

To one side of the yard where vessels seemed not quite ‘into’ the doomed category sat a collection of vessels – wood and glass – awaiting their owners’ return to continue refits. It was clear to me that for some this was going to be a forlorn wait. Green verdigris was spread in abundance.  I chanced upon a sweet little day racer – a bit like a dragon, and it could be (?). She had the enticing name – Victoria. I wonder what the monarch of that name would have thought! The poor boat is drying out badly…

A sweet little thing – her name is ‘Victoria’…

I passed a glass-fibre sloop with a notice of sale to redeem unpaid ground rent – there were a number of these about. Little chance of Titchmarsh recouping losses!

Close by sat a couple of deepsh draft cruisers – wooden, of course – that showed a great willingness to get on with it. But how many years ago was that, I wondered.

Work appears ongoing…

But is it too much? Planking has sprung!

Leaving that little area behind, I continued my wanderings … and stumbled upon this once fine looking open motor boat – a yacht tender perhaps, for reaching the mother ship out on distant moorings. These days virtually all vessels used for this purpose around the Walton Channel are either Rib types of GRP motor tenders, left to swing on moorings whilst the ‘mother’ is away.

I liked the look of this one!

A vessel with good solid shape, designed for load carrying. Her propeller was guarded by the tunnel – seen.

Her bow was pram-shaped with a rise not dissimilar to a scow.

Oh yes, her little petrol engine still awaits the attention of an engineer!

Arkle, seen below was another launch of a different pedigree, but nonetheless, functional. She had the look of a yacht club launch… She ‘aint’ going anywhere!

Arkle…

I walked on and I found before me the bow of a good looking motor-cruiser or weekender. She didn’t look too bad at first sighting, but as I walked round her, a tale of neglect followed. I think it highly unlikely that she ever had a cover fitted over all that open woodwork – a great shame for a small amount of outlay would have stalled this sort of nonsense!

Once a fine motor launch…

Hmmmmmm …… whatever happened about fitting a good cover?

Another thing noted was the use of what are essentially DIY timber such as plywood – a false economy afloat where weather can do its worst.

In the middle of ‘this lot’ sat a pretty little thing – a Silhouette I believe, or of the type. Work had clearly been carried out, but when wasn’t clear: green verdigris was taking hold. Maybe this is a stalled project…

A pretty little boat – Silhouette?

Repainted this year, or last, but seemingly un-cared for…

I was left wondering if she would still be in the same position the next time I was likely to be in the Walton Backwaters.

The next vessel seemed beyond the possibilities of a renewal. Hull planking was seen to be coming adrift, she has a crushed bilge and her internals were a picture of decay. The old launch has served her time in some harbour with day after day of hard graft, heavy use and probably a ‘she isn’t mine, so I don’t care about the knocks’ attitude. Sadly, a chainsaw and bonfire awaits…

Not a lot of hope, surely?

Crushed bilge…

My eyes then lit up as they alighted on a fine deep draft cruiser with the look of  one of those Littlehampton built yachts. Her hull sides have been prepared and the bottom cleaned off … but close inspection began to show why progress has stalled. Keel bolts looked as if attention was needed from the look of the ballast keel to timber join. Then there were areas of degradation around the stem and opening up around the planking ends to stern post…

Some hope?

I cast my eyes towards the deck line – trouble was afoot. Open deck edges. Partially stripped cabin sides and missing window furniture in a sea of ‘green’ growth. Initial thoughts were squashed!

Fast drying out…

Some weeks later my good Mate gave up her place so that I could take a New Zealand friend sailing. The chap asked me soon after he’d arrived in Essex back in May if it would be possible to get him to the River Ore and Alde in Suffolk. I said, ‘Yes, weather and God willing…’ Starting from Bradwell on the River Blackwater, it happened. That tale is another story though…

We stopped off at the Aldeburgh Yacht Club for showers, after which we walked into the town past Slaughden Quay – once a busy and prosperous place before it was all bu washed away centuries ago – but I stopped by Demon Yachts, a yard situated on the edge of the town, and saw a couple of boats advertised as being for sale. Both are ‘projects’ and much would be needed to finish them. Most of all a willingness…

The first was a vessel 117 years old – a Whitewing, a local class boat. Her hull looked in a precarious condition, however, the planking looked ‘good’. The advert spoke of a ‘group ownership’ or of a single benefactor to complete…

As I say, true willingness is essential!

117 year old White Wing Nona…

The details…

Are you the one to do it?

The next looked less of a challenge and is a lovely sleek looking thing. The long double-ender was originally built as a gentleman’s launch. In time she had clearly gained a rig: the ‘irons’ are still fitted.

Lovely looking thing…

The vessel was built by Camper & Nicholson, but no date was given on her details. Of all the vessels I saw at the two yards, this one seemed the most likely to find a buyer. She’d certainly repay an expense, surely…

The  details…

Now, up and down the coast many of you can probably find similar craft in very similar states of disrepair or neglect. It is something I get ‘bothered’ about and generally come away full of sadness. It is the same for wooden and GRP craft. All were once loved and cosseted. Age has wearied them, but for many much life remains.

I know an owner of a Finesse 24 who obtained the ownership of his little sloop for the nominal sum of £500 – admittedly, he has accepted the undertaking of a little over £2000 of repair work, and that will probably grow… But, for a around £3000 he will gain a superb coastal cruiser, safe enough to wander the east coast and provide a ‘home’ for the summer (as I do on Whimbrel!)

There are a myriad of GRP craft sitting on yard hard standings which with a dose of elbow grease would scrub up. Defects can be fixed.

What has to be remembered is that for a small outlay a first time cruiser owner could get afloat for a relatively small cost, if the heart strings can be pulled … instead of paying out 1000’s of pounds sterling for a modern expensively built vessel with supposedly superior pedigree.

I’ve looked at modern 24-footers, their costs are frightening and their supposed spacious interiors are nothing of the sort in comparison to my Finesse 24 … I wouldn’t touch ’em with a barge pole…

My continuing ‘Prostate Story’…

See for earlier blogs: http://nickardley.com/ditch-crawler-sails-onward-radio-therapy-done-with-freshly-antifouled-we-chased-barges-on-the-medway-2019-match/

Time ran on nicely as we pottered around the rivers Blackwater, Colne and subsidiary creeks, but in the back of my mind was my looming appointment for the first post radio therapy check up.

We had a few days at home – a 20/20 cricket match at the Oval with ‘the boy’, a blood test and a ‘family do’ all fortuitously coinciding. Returning to the boat we continued to potter before ‘high-tailing’ to Southend Hospital from Bradwell Marina (Handy having a car u there!) for my appointment.

After a longish wait … 30 minutes … I was in.

Less than five minutes later, after answering questions about loo visits, pooh problems and other stuff – like telling the youngish lady that everything was still working – I was out, clutching a fresh blood test form. Around my head buzzed the news that my PSA count has fallen to virtually ZERO.

Christobel heaved then cried. I was somewhat choked…

Very good news indeed…

I go for a further test in a little over three months.

Since then we left the sheltered waters of Essex’s middle rivers and made passage for Pin Mill with the weather fair…

Departing a little after four in the morning (a few days ago) we had a quiet motor-sail, with barely a mile under sail alone for the 27 mile trip.

Yes folks. Diesel was burnt!

We’re now pottering in the Walton Backwaters …

Today we sailed up into Oakley Creek and viewed many seals – it doesn’t matter how many times one sees them the allure never fades. The colony was seen basking way off in the distance round the inside of Garnham’s Island.

Sailing up Oakley Creek … note the coaster up at wharf.

Seals in Oakley Creek.

Leaving the seals we sailed into the Walton Channel, initially to anchor, but a squally period set us heading further up to find a vacant buoy. We found these to be numerous … and picked one under the west saltings edge.

Sailing into the Walton Channel across the top…

Once moored, I had tome to look around. To our amazement a group of dinghies of mixed classes came sailing out, tacking and gybing round two buoys local to us…

A series of ‘dinghy’ pictures follow…

Boisterous conditions can be seen!

Up, up and away…

Oooooops!

On the mud

And in the saltings…

A close encounter…

Tomorrow we plan to anchor Whimbrel in the shallows off Stone Point around two hours before low water, careen the ‘ol girl and scrub her bottom: I have seen weed growing happily on the rudder out of reach below the waterline. From experience we both knew what was coming. The Mate, Christobel, is so looking forward to it…

The call of a laundry can be heard from our washing bag, so later tomorrow will see us in Titchmarsh Marina.

That last picture ‘A close encounter…’ resonates with my thoughts currently. Part, a blessed joy in having got through this last year with a psa level first at 13.6 and now ‘0’, and of relief, an overwhelming relief, at where I am now …

But for the Grace of God go I.

My thoughts are with those who I know are currently undergoing treatment. For one ‘old boy’ his prognosis isn’t good, but for another it should be.

Favourable journey’s chaps…

This time last year was an extremely hard time for me, Christobel, ‘the boy’, as well as for my family and friends. That is all history now…

I was reminded of it all (as if one needed to be) upon meeting a boat at Brightlingsea with a nice couple aboard. They’d once ‘stopped me’ whilst I was sailing about in my dinghy in Stangate Creek. After ranging alongside we had a long chat about my various books … later I had a request by email for this and that.

Any way, I told them I’d been ‘quiet’ for a while dealing with prostate cancer – sadly, the lady’s brother has also got the disease. Unfortunately, she said, he’d not reacted to ‘pee’ problems and didn’t do so until aches in his hips appeared. The chap is undergoing treatment, but the prognosis isn’t good.

There by the Grace of God go I…

I set out this summer to have a bit of a ball, helped by my willing Mate Christobel, one in ‘letting’ the summer go (again) and in giving up her berth to various family and friends whilst they enjoyed some sailing too. Family are all done – one more friend, an Old Leigh Boy residing in New Zealand over for a long visit, is booked for late August.

Cousin Roger and youngest brother, Andrew, romping towards the Swin Spitway in June…

Two good sailing companions sailed with me aboard on a ‘delivery’ trip to Bradwell – essentially a ‘Jolly Boys’ outing with stops at Queenborough and Brightlingsea on the way. We had fun.

Christobel met us and took both boys to the station at Southminster where they began a long and arduous bus trip to Shenfield due to track works!

With the middle part of the week to ourselves we decided to ‘pop’ up to Colchester. We’ve sailed up and away many times, but never stopped…

Arriving in Colchester…

Whimbrel can be seen in the distance beyond the ‘light vessel’ berthed outside of a motor cruiser at the floating pontoon alongside King Edward Quay.

We enjoyed a wander into Colchester transiting the Hythe ‘village’ – fascinating and the main street is loaded with ‘Tudor’ buildings still very much in use.

Hythe – a little gem…

Leaving Colchester we sailed down river to Brightlingsea to join up with eleven other Finesse craft for ‘our’ annual rally. This was the best in numbers since the rally was inaugurated eight years ago.

Rally boats alongside the Heritage Pontoon, Brightlingsea.

The following weekend saw us sailing into Maldon to help celebrate the official launch of the Sea-change Sailing Trust barge, Blue Mermaid’s official launch – see earlier blog.

Cocky sprits seen from the ‘bargemen’s’ church on the hill above Maldon’s Hythe…

In a period before the planned take-over of Whimbrel by my sister and two lovely friends we had time round outside Tollesbury, within Lawling Creek and round in the rivers Crouch and Roach, enjoying generally good sailing weather – some diesel had to be used…

Running towards Burnham…

Christobel went home the day before my next crew joined … she was on (our) church cleaning duty and had also volunteered to assist at a community fayre! A visit to a London exhibition and three day jaunt ‘up north’ visiting her old town of Royal Leamington Spa (much changed) and going onto Stratford to see a Shakespeare play, kept her occupied…

My trip with my sister Theresa and friends Hannah and Steve took us to Brightlingsea, Pin Mill (& Suffolk Yacht Harbour), Harwich, the Walton Backwaters, West Mersea and the return to Bradwell…

Sunrise on way up to Pin Mill…

Playing with the cruising chute – Naze into Harwich Harbour…

On a glorious grey day sail from Harwich to West Mersea…

A couple of hours after that week’s crew had departed, my dear wife returned, laden with fresh stores…

My dear wife, Christobel, happily at the helm…

A few days at home approached when I’d re-met the boating couple in Brightlingsea: it was a reminder.

Back in early June, I’d got a blood test pre-booked in readiness for a visit to hospital to see the prostate cancer specialist. The sample has been taken and my appointment awaits during the coming week. Am I worried, a little yes, I’d be lying to say I’m not. Whatever, I plan to continue enjoying life, love and the world about me…

The sun sets on main treatment phase…

So, as the sun sets on my main treatment phase (hopefully), I am reminding all men who haven’t had a prostate test, don’t leave it until pains elsewhere drive you towards a surgery. Be proactive. I was and had had the disease for several unknown years…

Earlier this year Christobel and I received an invitation to attend the official launch of the Sea-change Sailing Trust’s new Thames spritsail barge, Blue Mermaid. The barge is a ‘faithful’ replica of the original sunk by a magnetic mine during WW2. Her remains sit somewhere near the old position of the West Hook Middle Buoy n the Swin. Soon, with the help of the Port of London Authority, a diver will retrieve a fragment of that vessel which will be preserved and kept aboard the new barge in memory of the crew who perished.

The Blue Mermaid viewed from West Mersea…

Yesterday, whilst ambling back to the waterfront in West Mersea, I spotted the new barge majestically sailing out past Sales Point over on the Bradwell Shore. For me it was a moment of magic: although the barge has been sailing for a couple of months – working up – I had not seen her in such guise.

My old family home, the Thames spritsail barge May Flower, was sailing in the Swin close by the Blue Mermaid when she was blown up. May Flower’s crew sailed round the area looking for survivors … for this reason, I have long held an affinity to the Blue Mermaid Project and, more importantly, for the work of the Sea-change Trust.

So, a little over a week ago now, on a delightful July morning we sailed into Maldon and berthed at one of the local yards.

The stern of the Blue Mermaid and bow of the Reminder, true sisters… 

I captured a view of the Blue Mermaid’s stern with the bow of the Reminder outboard … identical sisters separated by around ninety years. Later I walked past, along Maldon’s Hythe, for a look … the mate and some apprentices were hard at work making things spic and span – one burnishing the binnacle!

The Blue Mermaid’s topsail set for the ceremony…

Walking towards the Hythe on the day, the sight of the Blue Mermaid’s topsail set proudly aloft among  the cocky sprits of her sisters brought a lump to my throat. This was truly an very historic occasion. Although there has been one other barge built in recent years, she was specifically for use as a home and yacht – Defiance – a reincarnation of a Medway river barge (less a metre removed from her aft end to comply with ‘yacht’ rules). Another is the Snark. The classification of these two remains a mystery to me … it appears they’re ‘not’ barges, but yacht barges, a term not often used these days.

The Blue Mermaid’s topsail, by the way, has been sponsored by the Maldon Little Ship Club in a ten year sponsorship – a mighty impressive deed.

Trust supporters in conversation…

On the Hythe, people milled, chatting, admiring and toasting the fine vessel.

All aboard!

At some predetermined point, it fell to Chair of Trustees, Hilary Halajko, to propose the vessel’s blessing – the man of God who was supposed to have attended was apparently unavailable to to sickness…

There were thanks to supporters … sponsors … for kind deeds and everyone for coming along was followed by distribution of bouquets to various – Catherine Dines represented the Heritage Marine Yard (Downs Road) in the absence of Jim. Hilary herself wasn’t forgotten too!

Hilary Halajko making her speach.

A ‘talk’ was given too … but lost me when the line ran into similarities with Gordonstone School … absolutely nothing to do with the ethos and reasons behind ‘Sea-change’!

Speeches over, the vessel was suitably toasted, and a buffet was opened for people to partake of refreshment. This was all hosted by the Maldon Little Ship Club led by Commodore Stubbs. The buffet was the ‘baby’ of his wife Cally, an enthusiastic crew member of a barge herself.

The buffet spread…

Supporters and guests enjoying the rather tasty provisions…

Having enjoyed a few nibbles, Christobel and I went aboard the Blue Mermaid. We’ve been aboard many times over the past two years and watched all the changes from a bare steel shell to a fully fitted out and rigged sailing machine. There are still a few jobs to do … there is with any vessel, but she’s here, in use and doing the trust’s work.

From this on launch day at Toms Yard, Polruan, Cornwall…

To this…

Above deck, the barge is complete… Below, a little still needs to be done – varnishing the aft cabin companionway bulkheads for instance was noticeable. But to all intents and purposes she is finished. There follows what are essentially self explanatory pictures around the ‘ship’…

The ‘swept hold’ is home to fold away bunks – trainees, clients and extra crew.

The forward 4-berth unit to starboard.

The well appointed galley located under the aft waist deck.

To port of the galley is another 2-berth cabin.

The skipper and mate’s cabin, aft. ‘The cuddy’ – one day I hope (with sibling approval) the barge can have May Flower’s double burner cabin lamp, still a precious item of my mother’s…

A few cups gained in early barge match forays, builder’s plaque from Toms of Polruan, and notable contributors board…

As I was going ashore I spotted Don Ramsay going aboard – a key man in the workings of the Trust as administrator and head fund raiser…

Kindly Don…

I had a brief chat with the Toms Yard representative … we had chatted at the Blue Mermaid’s launch and at her safe arrival in Maldon. She was essentially ‘gob-smacked’ by the huge changes from the bare hull built at the family yard … yes, I think we all are!

‘Toms’ and Richard Titchener, Chief Executive Officer and Skipper chatting…

A very long time ago back in 2005 I wrote in my book, The May Flower a barging Childhood, published in 2007, at the end of chapter 1, detailing ‘where’ barges are now and the future, whilst discussing the fact that modern yachts are built with the rigs of their forbears whether it be a Bemudian of gaff and finished by saying:

‘if the future barge is a new steel one, the most important aspect is its rig and how it is used.’

The Sea-change Sailing Trust has built an ethos working with young people who are falling through the net, people with dementia, schools, sailability and provision of a seafaring training. This is all coupled with plans to carry a cargo, but the main aim is to achieve aims against the elements of tide and wind under sail … on the way a youngster who fails to understand the need for mathematics will learn chart work and along the way discover mathematics…

The Trust is to be commended…