Tall Ships Festival – Greenwich:

Two items have come to my attention, well, I’ve known awhile, but the latter is now going to happen too, rather than being an idea.

In 2014 the Tall Ships came up the River Thames to Greenwich – Whimbrel was sailing down river as most of the vessels came up and it felt strange being on the end of many camera lenses: we were tacking down through them all!

A Polish 3-master berthedat the upper end of Blackwall Reach…

It was an amazing sight, however, I felt that we should have stayed up ‘in town’ to get a better feel for what was going on.

One of the vessels passed as we approached Greenhithe for an overnight stop.

The 2017 event is over the Easter weekend, 13th to 16th April with ships departing on the 16th. The ‘race’ finishes in Quebec on 18th July 2017… One can go on line and look up details, as they’re currently known:

http://www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/info/100003/community_and_living/1589/tall_ships_festivals

Battle of the Medway:

The second event is taking place on the River Medway in June 2017. This is to commemorate the Dutch raid on Chatham (& Sheerness) which took place in 1667. It was a time of strife between the governments of Holland and England (& Scotland) over trading – the spice islands. We ultimately gave up a little island in what is now Indonesia for New York!

The British and Dutch have had an exceedingly long partnership, and this commemoration furthers that cause. But this was a time when we were unprepared: the guns in Upnor Castle had no balls!

A huge number of Dutch yachts are expected to visit the river during the festival. I understand that measures are being taken to increase river berthing, up amongst the ‘lights’ to cope with this…  If you want to be there, keep an eye on the web site of the Medway & Swale Boating Association: this is where you’ll get information. This is an almost essential web site to watch: http://msba.org.uk/

See you there…

Swinging the Lamp – Thames Estuary Tidal Tales

Publishing date is now 25 February 2016.

Here is the publishers press information sheet…

From the Cruising Association – Kent Area secretary Clifford Mickleburgh.

 Winter Warmers 2015 – 2016 [2^nd Thursday of each month starting after supper at 8pm] both members and non-members are

very welcome and are held at:

The Dog & Bear, The Square, Lenham, Kent, ME17 2PG. Tel: 01622 858219.

The members usually meet for a drink and a meal prior to the talk … book direct.

Pub is part of the Shepherd Neame Group situated 8 miles East of Maidstone off of the A20 in the village square. The food is very good,

The staff are helpful and cheerful…

The Talk

We then follow Nick and his mate on a passage around the east coast’s rivers between N. Kent and mid Suffolk aboard their Finesse

24, Whimbrel. As they wend their way, weaving in and out of muddy creeks, Nick especially watches as the world passes slowly by,

wondering… Once at anchor, we find that Nick is just as likely to continue exploring in a lug sail dinghy, sometimes ‘dragging’ his mate

with him, to search for the lost world that rests amongst so much of our salt, marsh and mud…

Well, if you’re available, then come along and join this experienced and friendly group for the evening, and my talk…

Ah yes, I’ve been on the verge of becoming fractious: we’re half way through the season of Advent, well on the way to Christmas and my inner self, never mind the mind, knew that it had been a little while since I’d communed with my little boat … other than resealing a couple of windows.

As always, I’ve been watching for a change in the weather patterns we’ve been ‘enjoying’ of late – lots of sunny and blowy days! Then on Saturday I detected the first sign … Sunday was going to be quiet, but unfortunately, a HP ridge brought mist and mizzle – yuck – but today looked good!

Sailing out of Smallgains Creek…

Getting out at this time of the year is one of the supreme joys of keeping the boat afloat and active and I must say I’m currently glowing with the exhilaration of it. It wasn’t stressful, hard work or anything like that, just, just grand.

My good mate was otherwise engaged at a U3A carol service where she was doing a one of the readings … so couldn’t come along. Shame: she would have enjoyed it…

The wind was a light southerly, round a force 3, so with sails set I slid out of the mooring with the engine ticking over, as she swung, the wind filled my genoa and away we went, tripping over the tide at a sedate pace. Boy was it a grand feeling, to be under way again. I was like a little school boy with a bag of mint humbugs…

Around the outer end of the creek over the saltings on the point flocks of waders were carrying out a dazzling aerial display, swirling and changing direction in their wonderful random way. I was mesmerised

Ballerina’s of the sky…

I was soon travelling faster with the tide having chosen one of my favourite winter routes, up through the saltings to the other Island club, The Benfleet … passing Bird Island a flock of knot and dunlin lifted off leaving an array of Brents poking and prodding at the glutinous surface. This patch of mud doesn’t cover until around 4.85m of tide now…

Dunlin and Knot lifting off from Bird Island.

The one remaining boat in this upper part of the Hadleigh Ray Channel, better known as Benfleet Creek, is still flouting the pollution rules – flying the remnants of plastic bags. They’re well shredded now – perhaps one should hope the owner eats the fish with the biggest bit within its belly!

Whimbrel having a go at sailing herself…

Sitting back and enjoying my lunch sandwich and a cup of soup, I watched as flocks of Pewits lifted off the saltings edges. They seem to have such a lazy manner of doing it, unhurried, almost whimsical. Then, when up amongst the moorings of the Benfleet YC, I watched as tiny grebe popped up, shook its head casting a little shower pattern in the water before diving once again, surely, it was in search of its lunch too…

Approaching the club house of the Benfleet YC.

Upon turning off the ‘Benfleet’ I found the wind to have too much east in it. On went my trusty little diesel engine to get us clear. It was soon shut down returning the world to the quietness of the afternoon. The sky’s cloud cover had been threatening to break and reveal the sun- it did. Wow, its low rays dazzled and danced upon the  creek’s surface.

The sun’s rays dazzled and danced…

I was able to nip forward and get a shot up the mast to frame Whimbrel’s bit of Christmas cheer, courtesy of St Michael’s Church in Daws Heath … its the top metre or so, but does look good and is being put to good use!

Whimbrel’s mast head dressed for the festive season…

Sailing on past the end of Canvey Island, I rounded up, briefly, to drop the main and get a couple of lashing round it. Then there was just a little time left before the first of our creek’s buoys were reached. It was quiet. A motor boat had puttered noisily out before turning and heading back in again – at least ‘he’ was out …

Reaching into the creek…

It was time to say goodbye to the outer waters and think about my approach to the mooring. I wanted to sail in and did…

Shortly after berthing the kettle was put on to look after itself while I began to tidy away. Leaving the foresail to be bagged I amble below to make a beverage: it had been chilly.

Whilst sipping away at my hot drink, I leaned on the hatch top watching the tide recede for a little while, munching on a slice of Dundee cake … Oh yes, it was a glorious sail.

The weather for the next week looks dire again, pink to dark red on XCweather, up to 50 odd mph… Boy, am I glad I grabbed at this opportunity!

Goodness me, hasn’t it been a windy month!

One good thing comes from this aspect of the past month or so: I’ve done a lot of work towards my next book, the one to follow in the path of Swinging the Lamp. Although it isn’t folowing in the same fashion as my previous works: that part of my writing life has ended … I’ll say no more for the time being.

Last night, looking at the weather I told my Mate that we should be able to grab our last autumn sail: the metrological winter begins in a few days. Looking ahead, from Saturday onwards the wind strengths are in the ‘red’ on XCweather – the web site I monitor.

‘We going then…’ my mate asked me as the forecast beamed out from BBC Essex. And this time, at 0657, the current presenter didn’t cackle on about trivia keeping the weather person, usually one of the ladies, waiting… This presenters persistence in doing this has forced me to cast my loyalties aside. I cannot listen to the inane clap-trap that now ensues from this local radio station, in particular … so the joys of R4 bring life to us over the morning coffee. But, yes, this time we got the coastal forecast… Having got that off my chest!

‘Yes’ I said decisively. The mate grinned – not sure why.

We were able to enjoy a woodland walk first before heading towards Smallgains Creek. Reaching the boat first, after fairly scampering round our mooring walkways, I was busy removing the cockpit cover and as the mate came along our jetty finger I heard her say, ‘…you alright Whimbie…’ I had to smile: she is always saying that I’m the sentimental one…

The covers were soon stowed and the sails readied. ‘Ah’ I said, casting off the main’s first reef: it had been left in after my last sail two weeks and a day ago. It was fairly breezy then. Today there was a gentle W-NW 2-3. A bit of a change from the 5-8s we’ve been ‘enjoying’ of late.

Clearing the mooring the mate soon had the genoa up and it pulled us nicely over the tide. That done she was given the helm while I set the main. That got us moving a little faster… Brents bobbed about along the edges of the saltings and over the point, eastwards, a flock of waders were resting on the banks of shingle in the saltings.

Gently tacking up past Two Tree Island…

Several motor boats came trundling out behind us and the mate deftly moved the tiller to bring the boat closer to the channel’s edge, before cutting inside at a point she knew the boat could safely go. I was by then busy swishing the sides down to clean of mud splatter from the small amounts of rain we’ve had. I hate having dirty sides! Looking up I commented, ‘Bit shallow here…’ tailing off quietly.

My mate heard me though, and her answer, ‘Is it a problem … we’re not aground…’

Shut up Skipper and let the helm alone, I quietly thought to myself!

Leaving the creek the mate handed over and put the kettle on and passed out hot drinks. I was aboaut to hand back the helm but she said, No, I want to watch the world go by … it’s so beautiful…’

My good Mate watching the world go by…

It was a drifty sort of sailing: one moment we had a fairly decent breeze which heeled the boat a little and sent a wash creaming down past her clinker edges, then it would disappear making it difficult to tack … this, and a lack of concentration, caused me to drag the plate in the mud a couple of times – something rarely done on my jaunts this way!

Off Two Tree’s bird hides my Mate said, ‘Look … that boat … its flying shreeded plastic bags…’ It was too. It’s one of the two I’ve pointed out before. (Our esteemed Royal Yachting Association is still to respond to my letter about this, in respect to their stance on it…) Plastic particulates are a big worry to those who monitor the world’s oceans and the food chain within it.

Sarasota Sunshine’s owner should feel thoroughly ashamed…

For a while we sailed blissfully onwards with a spring tide doing most of the work! Clearing the Salvation Army Jetty remains the wind shifted (It nearly alwys does here – its those hills!) and we were on a reach. A little way past I turned. For a short time we made over the tide … then a bouy, already passed twice, was about to be passed again as the wind died to nothing and the water around us turned to a glass-like!

Flocks of Brents overflew us in several packed ribbons…

I looked at the Mate and said, ‘Engine please!’

‘You sure?’ she asked, looking at me cheekily.

It was started … and stayed on until we berthed, although we did get another fifteen minues sailing a little east of the point on a reach ito the creek. I left the iron beast running: the battery probably needed a charge.

Sails were dispensed with as we puttered into our quaint little creek, past lines of moored craft and empty slots: our lay-up pound is just about full.

Its days like today that make staying in the water one of the joys to be treasured during the long season when most are tucked up in ‘bed’ for the duration until the days lengthen and they awake to the fact that all those jobs still haven’t been done!

That in mind, I have two windows to reseal: just started leaking since last aboard … I have my piece of plastic to fasten over, waiting in my workshop, and they’ll be done, one by one, over the next couple of weeks. Next week even, whilst the gales blow!

The view across the Island Yacht Club’s saltingas as we walked away from the boat…

These two ‘old girls’ were found whilst taking my mother around some old haunts and then on another day into a well known ‘garden centre’ (come general store…) in South Essex.

The first, in Leigh-on-Sea, looked decidedly like a Walker Dinghy – mahogany clinker in structure and sad looking indeed. She had a name plate with Swatch on it. I felt that the other half with ‘Way’ on it had fallen off… Shame.

Two views of this clearly abandoned sailing dinghy… She is on the slip by Mike’s Boatyard in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex.

The second craft shown was found in a garden centre, clearly depicting what you can do to create a feature. A badge on the bow proudly displayed her as once belonging to a Sea Cadet Group, who, have used and abused the little thing until another (probably) has been purchased… Given a modicum of TLCA, she looked as if there were many sea miles left in her yet…

A similar sized craft, but constructed in GRP.

I suppose, at least, this one has found a good use for herself … but I’m left wondering about the other…

I was sent tickets (for myself and the mate) for the annual show of art works by members of the Wapping Group – this year held at the Minster Gallery in Winchester. At first I thought we’d not be able to go, but looking at our planned route for a holiday in Dorset, it conveniently placed us on the road past the ancient Saxon capital.

It was a worthwhile break on our journey, not only for the art but the splendour of the town itself. A visit to the cathedral allowed us to pay homage at the grave of Jane Austin too.

Here are a few pictures of works that caught attention.

John Killens – Evening on the Estuary, Maylandsea.  A work in watercolours and pastels. Maylandsea is one of ‘my’ magical places.

Rick Holmes – Borough Market. A work in pastels capturing the life and bustle one can experience there…

Anthony Flemming – “Faversham”. A gorgeous work in watercolour … my mate’s favourite. I like it too!

Alan Runagall – Old Times – Tilbury Docks. Another water colour I would gladly hang on my wall.

Trevor Chamberlain – Moody Estuary, Leigh-on-Sea. A delightful watercolour…

Rod Pearce – Hammersmith Mist. This is a study in oils… I liked it.

Thanks Alan for the invitation to view the group’s works. The space though wasn’t the same a that of the Mall Gallery, although intimate. The gallery explained that they are linked to the Mall and spreading the view-ability of the art was one of the aims – I concur with that!

Here is some news of my latest book – Swinging the Lamp: Thames Estuary Tidal Tales.

The new book is to be published on 18th February 2016 by Fonthill Media.

It can be preordered on the link below:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Swinging-Lamp-Thames-Estuary-Tidal/dp/1781554986/ref=sr_1_10_det?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1446117597&sr=1-10#productPromotions

Colour Section: Fonthill Media, my latest publisher, has seen fit to place the bulk of the book’s illustrations within a colour section. Hence, the price increase from my earlier works.

Details and blurb can be found on my ‘books’ page.

I hope new and old readers will find the volume interesting and worthy of your book shelf space … and perhaps entice more sailors to poke and prod around the edges of our waterways…

Fluttering through the post some while ago came an invitation to attend the Art of the Sea exhibition at the Mall Gallery just off Trafalgar Square. It was sent by Hadleigh (Essex) based artist Alan Runagall who is a society member, as well as being a Wapping Group Artist. Alan’s work is varied but ‘the Thames’ and its banks feature highly in his output. A ticket for the Wapping Group show was attached too…

Watercolour – Alan Runagall – Outwardbound, Gravesend Reach.

Top – A. Runagall – Home from the Race, River Orwell – Watercolour.

Bottom – A. Runagall – Inbound off Tilbury – Watercolour

Unfortunately the show ends today, Saturday 24th!

But, if you’re in the area of Winchester, the Wapping Group’s annual exhibition has located to the Minster Gallery this year. The show lasts until 21 November 2015. See: www.minstergallery.com Tel: 01962 877601

Here are a few more that caught the eye: I came ‘away’ with a hefty package under my arm…!

David Curtis – Morston Creek – oils

John Lines – Coastal Watchers – oils.

Douglas Gray – oils. Top: Receding Tide. Bottom: Seaweed and Pebbles.

Nicholas St John Rosse – oils – Realxing by the Sea.

Richard Caplin – Acrylics – Impending Storm. This was a favoured painting of my mate’s!

Peter Barker – Summer Sparkle, Burnham Overy Staithe. I liked this one…

These were but a few of what we had the pleasure of looking at. Many of the pictures had little red stickers attached, indicating a sale – which is what it’s all about! As you can see someone got to this before me…

Great art, well done to all!

For some time now the world at large that has even a modicum of concern for the environment has been reluctant to use plastic bags, but they do have some good uses.

Sailing yesterday up towards Benfleet after a beat eastwards against the flood we sailed past two moored craft with strings of supermarket bags strung around the rigging. On both it was clear that some of the plastic bags had disintegrated … depositing more plastic into the local environment.

Plonker!

In the week when restrictions in the way ‘we’ use plastic bags came into law in England, it seems to be crass of these owners to ignore the reasons for the change. Some of the bags on one of the craft were from the ‘giant’ in my area, Morrison.

Owner should fined…

Perhaps the RYA needs to take this up, never mind local clubs: this is a blatant act of environmental terrorism. If one is seen littering the street one could get fined. When I was a professional seafarer, littering of the oceans attracted huge fines latterly. It was nearly three decades ago that this sea-change took place, yet the coastal sailor, well some of them, seem to think these rules don’t apply to them.

It makes me angry…

But we had a grand sail…