Calluna is Nick Hann’s ‘new’ barge yacht… See: http://nickardley.com/barges-in-ditch-crawlers-patch/

Well, Nick has been hard at work over the autumn and winter.

Whilst catching a sail on the best of the bank holiday days yesterday I came across Nick testing his autopilot. Passing, we chatted for a bit … he’s not tested the shower yet, but his mate soon will be! The topmast is still to be fitted and mainsail bent on.

This steel sensation has had her chunky wheelhouse removed and replaced with a conventional spray hood arrangement. Nick still has some work to do on hull paintwork, but there is time enough for that!

She looked a treat.

Calluna puttering past Whimbrel…

Having got a jib up on its roller gear, I watched as Nick slackened the hoist to enable a lashing to be reached, hoist up again and then heave on the out haul to tension the sail’s luff … his barge was away, her first sail for a very long time: her gear was stored by previous owners…

The Calluna under sail off the end of Two Tree Island.

The Calluna is going to be a credit to her type and, probably, be around the Lower Thames area for a long time – I hope!

My publisher, well one of them, has recently brought out The Jottings of a Thames Estuary Ditch-crawler as an ebook.

See: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nick-Ardley/e/B0034NL7IY

Also see: https://www.amberley-books.com/community-nick-ardley

That means all three titles with Amberley Publishing are now available as electronic books.

My ‘books’ page will be amended!

Yes, wishing one was actually out on the water and not merely sitting upon it are two different things. Both can be pleasurable for two reasons … sailing – puttering along if a motty boat – or sitting back with a pot of tea… neither of those were ours today: it was time to get down to more work!

So, instead of our usual Sunday afternoon long walk in the countryside of Essex, we headed down to our creek and settled down to an honest bit of sanding aboard our Whimbrel. First I set the good mate too below, sanding the white work in our hanging and clothing locker. She just loves those tight spaces! Then she joned me out on deck to sand dopwn the varnished cabin sides…

The mate comes outside to join me…

Many boats passed us by as we worked away, ranging from a Dutch barge, motorised, a varied selection of motor boats, ribs and a dinghy with a dad and young child reaching out in light conditions… The job was done though. Now it is all ready for coating later in the week.

The mate has moved forward … nearly done!

Going ashore we bumped into a chap working on his Finesse 24 too. We found David Parsons running masking tape around his deck paint edges ready for recoating … he’s been out for several weeks and is due back in shortly. His boat, Gypsy, looks very fine indeed!

It was so different last weekend: we had a day up in town (London for us…). There were a couple of items that we’d spotted in the press worth going and looking at.

The first was a display at the British Library about the North West Passage: it was excellent. From there we did a ‘London walk’ from the St Pancras area down through to St James’ area, then down to the Thames and along to the Embankment Gardens and the last surviving watergate… Finally we made our way up to the National Gallery (of England??) for an exhibition about the Impressionists – brilliant!

A beer or two was needed after all of that … then a light supper before heading for home. A great day out.

During our wanderings we happened to pass in Shaftesbury Avenue the open door of Arthur Beale, yacht chandler, established over 400 years ago as a ship chandlers.

Front page of Spring Watch 2015 – Arthur Beale…

I was able to make a purchase too: I needed some whipping twine! This emporium, stocked with all a boater needs has the unmistakable scent of stockholm tar about it… This is from ‘tarred’ twine carried for those that need it. I have some in my locker: it has its uses – not least for making grommets to go under the heads of keel bolts!

If passing through, this place is well worth looking into.

Oh yes, we both have sore fingers…

For a little while I have been hard at work on a long running project, tidying up in readiness and in expectation of great progress … so, some excellent news: at the end of last week a contract for this next book was signed with Fonthill Media.

The book is due to be published in time for Christmas.

There will be more on this soon…

The Mate is over the moon … so am I!

Before our little clinker sloop even went over to Faversham for  keel bolt renewals her cockpit floor boards were in need of some attention, by the time she sailed into her mooring at the Island Yacht Club they could be ignored no longer … but first I did the cabin floor boards – the easier of the tasks. However, even with those, some filling a fairing was needed.

Whimbrel’s floor boards are the same ones fitted when boat was built in 1983/4. Time has been catching up on the edges: the boards are marine ply. Some softening on the undersides where they sit on the bearers has occurred. They’ve also suffered minor top face damage to upper laminate along the edges. “Nothing that can’t be fixed” I said to my Mate.

The last time they came home for ‘a going over’ the Mate was still a school teacher so she missed all the efforts needed of removal from boat to car … she’s up to speed now!

Once home boards were scraped, sanded and cleaned to reveal areas needing filling or edge dressing with an epoxy and filler ball paste… All of this work was completed during a week of neap tides, 6 and 6s I call them. Okay in the summer, but not at the back end of winter.

Floor boards after bottoms were painted…

After a final sand all were primed/undercoated. Finally, top and bottom were given deck and grey respectively…

The finished boards…

One bit I’ve failed to mention is an accident with my paint pot … it got in the way of a foot. Pot lost the debate and the resulting mess stain can b seen. I’ve still to wire brush the paint away!

A few days later I was out on the water again…

The Island YC boat pound with its forest of spars as viewed from the water.

Around my club’s yard owners are (at last) getting down to the work needed to get their boats back into the water. Time before programmed lift in weekends is getting shorter. The normal complaint is, “It’s been raining” or “It’s been too cold” None of that is, of course, pertinent this year: the weather has been generally kind.

I also popped into the Dauntless yard to pick up a couple of stainless bolts to fit an item of equipment. There in the yard sits the areas latest returning Finesse 24. She’s due to join the little fleet down at my club. The owner was busy on the under side of his boat’s bottom… The Mate was with me and we went aboard for a look – nice chap the owner – seems to be a Finesse trait, on the whole . Something he’s said to me gave me a kick: he blames ‘me’ for his purchase of the boat! Erm… a couple of other owners have said the same thing.

Here sits a class of three thirds … one not started, one ready and the other for sale…

Back down my end of Canvey Island, I’ve spotted work taking place around the ‘buttocks’ of a lovely little gaff cutter, Wendy May owned by a recently retired member of the Yachting Monthly team … “Going in soon”…. the owner told me, adding, “…trying for a mid week launch…” Now, I’d briefed him about slipping in for this … now he has the time. This owner got on with his work ages ago … he’s an ‘old timer’ of sorts being brought up when boats were boats!

Wendy May, a fine gaff cutter, with her owner about to board. She’s a recent arrival at the Island YC, boosting the number of traditional craft here…

Gypsy, a fine Finesse 24, recently came out of the water for antifouling, varnish repairs and a bit of work on a deck edge where his ‘caring’ mooring neighbour clouted the boat…

I’ve ben busy on the inside of Whimbrel too. Time is approaching when it will be safe to start touching up my varnish work … the cabin sides, sheerstrake and transom are to be full coated this season. Lots of sanding for my Mate!

With a new central heating boiler taking up time last week, never mind the tides being down towards neaps, I took the opportinty to fetch our cockpit floor boards home for dishing up. They’re back on the boat now (more on this later…) So, sailing wasn’t on the agenda at all, however we fully intended to go on Saturday, but the wind blew old boots… I wasn’t that desperate!

“Can we go on Monday?” my mate asked as we were sitting in the car to go home, tired and aching a little from a ‘slog’ down on a Saturday work party fatigue. I nodded my head lots…

Monday came round … forecast good. House chores done and a 4 mile walk trotted off too, we packed a sandwich and headed to the boat. The tide was creeping up to the rudder – plenty of time to get ready and munch our lunch. I watched as a number of brent geese  paddled along the mud edge across from us, not minding our presence.

As soon as the tide lifted the boat we slid out into the tidal stream … swinging round to head up with the flow, against a steady westerly of mainly force 3, I left the helm with the mate. Sails were quickly hoisted: space to manoeuvre is limited. The mate tending the helm, kept her going – something it does alone when I’m on my own at that point – then, as I called, she put the helm down and the boat forged round with jib held aback to pull the bow round sharply. “Ease the main more” I called, to keep wind out of the sail.

We were off…

Heading out of the creek…

A gaggle of geese…

” Where to?” I said to the mate… She shrugged, telling me that it was just good to get out!

Clearing the first part of our creek’s buoys, I set the boat over the shallows and we headed up into Hadleigh Ray. It’s great going that way because, if tacking is needed then a run back over the tide is easy! There are a few more craft out on the moorings again, just a sprinkling – the ‘open’ water will soon be less so.

The wind came at us a little harder at times, heeling the boat, but not uncomfortably. Several sets of eyes were upon us as we cut quickly on the tide past Two Tree Island. I saw a couple of bird watchers in their hide too, equipment scanning the world beyond… We were able to fetch right past the old Salvation Army barge wharf before a tack was needed – grand.

Following that we had to put a series of shorts and longs in, the wind being bent by the closeness of the downs. The boat was worked up to the Benfleet YC and a little past … a friend was spotted. We watched him amble down to a perch atop a post at the foot of the club’s slip… A quick “Hi…” was all we managed, as we slipped past on the fast running flood.

“I’m coming round shortly…” I said to the mate, letting the boat fall off to give room for our tack round of 180 degrees… All went well, initially. The main was all slack, slatting slightly in  light breeze. Our jib was pulling the boat’s head nicely round.

Without any warning a blast of wind hit us. The boat heeled until the deck dipped, she picked herself up and shot off … the BYC floating pontoon in her sights! Down helm: back where we’d come was the only safe option …. and as soon as it had happened, the wind had gone on its way … round we came again.

The look on my mate’s face was a picture!

A lady walking past had stopped to gape, calling, “You didn’t see that coming…” Clearly not! My friend just seemed to look on nonchalantly – he hasn’t reported back yet. Above us, in the club’s busy lunch time bar, I could see many eyes gazing down at us … I waved and grinned…

We soon settled down on a slow at first run away from the ‘top’ end of the creek. As soon as the outer mooring trots are reached the wind strengthened and we rustled over the last of the flood.

Clear of the BYC moorings a Seaking 29 came up, motoring, she’d gone past earlier, cutting close past us! “She’s called Mister Pegotty…” I said to the mate.

The tide had reached that point loved by many, sailors and walkers alike: it had filled the saltings. Only the dead stalks of the previous year’s growth stood proud – the seed heads of sea asters mainly. A myriad of sea birds could be seen, black dots peppering the tufts and the water too. The early afternoon sun was tempered by a cloud or two, changing the light patterns. It was a picture of pure delight.

Pure delight…

On our approach to Two Tree Island the tide had slackened and was on the turn. Away, sea wards, fishing craft had already swung. Handing over to the mate I pulled out our fenders and grabbed the mainsail lashings. Surreptitiously I slipped my camera into my coat pocket … I wanted to catch the mate: she hates having her picture taken!

I caught her… The look says it all!

As I set about dropping, first the jib, and then the main, the mate guided us into the creek’s run and the engine was set in motion. I ruminated, quietly, up forward, on how lucky we were to be out on the water in such fine conditions in mid March. It really does make one appreciate life…

A little over two hours after we’d set off we slid alongside our berth, two happy and contented souls…

The Medway & Swale Boating Association (MSBA) is the organisation which took over the roles largely held by the Medway Yachting Assciation, which operated for some years.

The organisation has a very reliable and well informed web site offering all sorts of advice and general news. Look them up…

http://msba.org.uk/

Two years ago they held a conference to further the cruising destination aspects of the area with the Royal Yachting Association as lead partners. It is planned to continue the bi-annual format. The conference is supported by Medway City Council, Peel Ports (Medway) and others.

I was asked during the early part of last year if I would like to host a slot talking about the two areas of water – waters close to my heart. My task was to highlight some historical aspects, some of which can be seen yet often ignored for many reasons – generally due to a lack of knowledge. It is something I’ve written about over a number of years – as many will know!

Now the Medway & Swale  are two bodies of water which are particularly close to all the boaters moored between Southend to S. Benfleet. Apparently only three of these sailors were interested. Me and my mate were two and there was another from the Island YC! This surprised the secretary. People came from as far away as Suffolk. A good sprinkling of Crouch sailors and from the Thames above Sea Reach.

Yes, it is on ‘our’ front door – all the more reason for some giving it support… I enjoyed it. The mate enjoyed some of it… The Island YC chap enjoyed it too… It was held at the the St George’s Centre, the old naval chuch – deconsecrated, and owned by Medway City Council. It is a lovely building – I wish I’d had time to wander a little … perhaps next time!

Inside the conference Centre – within is a memorial to the many Frenchmen who died on prison hulks off St Mary’s Island during past conflicts of early 1800s… 

The conference got underway with an address by Stacey Clark, RYA Chairman. An interesting man…

There followed some burble about the good the RYA does for ALL yachting people – this covers all aspects of boating and watersports. Except, currently, the ‘hover’ crowd. Hover craft, especially on the Medway is a growing past time – the RYA have promised to look at this. They are also after upping membership by around 10% as a starter… They’re at a little over 100, 000 members currently.

Oh yes, I have been offered a trip out on a hover … lets see what happens. Do I want this?

Peel Ports then ran through aspects of their business that impacts small craft. The man to contact if in need of Medway & Swale advice is Kevin Beacon, he is Port Control Manager… Go to the port’s web site.

After a break, Dick Holness, from East Coast Pilot, gave a talk about spects of navigation in the area and new and improved things, such as pontoons at Queenborough and Chatham. He also raised the issue of siltation within the creeks around his end of the Swale in particualar. The Peel Ports team said that this was being looked at – dredging is being considered…

Me being introduced…

Some of these speakers over ran their 20 minute talk plus 10 minute Q&A slots. This impacted later. I stuck to mine – timed by the mate, about 22 minuts – but lost my Q&A time. Some ‘miffed’ people commented about this afterwards to me, however!

I get going…

The May Flower got a mention, of course!

The British Marine Federation (BMF) then had a slot discussing what they do for the area’s concerns etc…

Then a buffet lunch: I was ‘fed’ by the mate, but my stand was so busy it was difficult to talk to all, deal with book signings and eat too. Thank you Mrs Mate for all your sterling work… The buffet was excellent too.

Afterwards, first up was the RYA’s Stuart Carruthers (Current affairs) and Gus Lewis (legal boffin). This was generally interesting.

Guss remembered me from a ‘rant’ about the bridge over Milton Creek … written about in ‘Jottings’ of course.

Gus had some info on red diesel. Personally I don’t think this should be an issue: we should all pay the full duty … which we do now that a ‘heating’ and ‘lighting’ element has been agreed. But, caravan owners do not get this! The problem seems to be the colour on the whole. You are strongly advised that if going to or through Belgium, pay full duty and keep receipts. Red is accepted, but…

Do many know of the new Harbour Act 2013 – it has been in the press. Well it gives powers to many authorities, taking the place of the old bye-law system, which apparently could take anything up to 15 years to be enabled! Medway Ports are not affected: they’re incorporated, as ar the PLA … The Crouch and Brightlingsea etc will have these powers now…

There was some talk about conservation zones – MCZs – our east coast area has all been designated, as has the Medway & Swale. Impact is low, however the Swale is being looked at more closely. Some ‘guarded’ areas may result…

Life jackets and flares were discussed too … people are advised to be careful aboput buying flares online: you still own the old and ARE responsible. I have a set of old ones … I expect many do!

The Push the Boat Out scheme was briefly discussed … apparently it has been quite successful in gaining new, younger, members into many clubs. The RYA claim an average of 16 for each participating club. I cannot comment, although the Island YC took part last year. In 2015 it is due to take place in July over two weekends, due to differing tidal states around the coast. See, people do learn from post exercise comment!

An interesting session about the varied wildlife to be found around the edges of the waters we all enjoy. What surprised me was the percentage of national populations of many species that descend on us. Bird people will know this any way! It was here that a question was asked about the antics of hover craft operators within the Medway basin – running up over mud flats covered with feeding birds. The advice – be sensible! It was a one point I made too: looking around the saltings should only be carried out before or after nesting.

The “NO GO” period the ‘bird man’ said, is roughly End of March to End of June, perhaps into July. I don’t go ‘ashore’ until the end of July at the earliest.

In the Medway belly, Nor Marsh is a forbidden area…

My stand… Snapped before the start.

Ah, then we reached the last subject – Power Boat Racing. This was something that was a common yearly feature during the 1970s through to around 1996. Currently, it is planned to hold a trial event for exhibition purposes during the summer of 2015. Many hurdles have to be jumped first. The chap from SEPA – the power boat race people – talked long and hard about too much detail and other guff … but the rules and regs are very tight! It wasn’t until his last 3 minutes that he got down to the what and where. There were no pictures of power boats in action, sadly!

It is planned to hold the race around Nor Marsh Island … starting off Darnet, running south, round the ‘back’ of the island close past Horrid Hill – a spectator spot – out into Bartlett, then round back to Darnet via the S. Yantlet. A number of circuits being needed for the race. Interesting eh!

Bill Shepherd, RYA SE Region closing the conference with a short recap and thanks etc…

I have to say that I was greatly impressed by the way the conference was organised. Many clearly participated, as always, but I would like to thank Tony Lavelle, a Medway sailor, and MSBA secretary… Well Done Tony!

The last Finesse 24 to be completed (not last number: that is No.70) is seriously for sale. She is boat No. 69 and has been owned in Northumberland for a number of years based at the RNYC in Blyth.

Peter, her current owner, is moving abroad permanently so needs to achieve this. His asking price of £10, 000 is negotiable. This is a huge reduction on an earlier price.

It is a unique opportunity to take over the care of this vessel’s continuing life. As far as I am aware she was actually completed in 1994. Her layout below is a little different to the ‘standard’ F24, being built to order by a discerning boating couple.

If interested, look here:

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/Classic-sailing-boats-for-sale/finesse-24-built-by-a-f-platt/69979#.VPLn6e4mOWI.gmail#pMf2mShIYOkEZ0qu.97

Photograph of the Emma & Kate – P. Gosling.

After the sadness of our first leaving of Faversham the second going was a happy affair, other than the mate not being aboard to enjoy a fabulous twenty-four hour window of opportunity… Unfortunately she had a pre-booked pre-paid trip with her U3A group on Thursday last.

Alan Staley and his young shipwright had stripped out the centre plate casing sides, cleaned up and refitted leaving all as good as the original job.

When these boats were built a ‘paint glued’ joint was used by Alan Platt. I thought Alan Staley was going to put some lead powder in the red lead paint his lad used, but apparently this wasn’t the case. It didn’t work…

The joint surfaces were cleaned back to bare wood and everything was dried. A PU (Polyurethane) moisture curing glue was used on reassembly. The through post copper fastenings were upped one size: same size cannot go back. They look meaty and strong!

When the boat went back in she didn’t leak anywhere … the young shipwright was very relieved. So was I… Alan said, ‘… we tried … it didn’t work … this method has…’ Here lies a lesson for anyone doing the same.

The reassembled box… I was preparing my supper, note portion of pasta awaiting a simmering pan of water – my glass of amontilado is out of view!

The yard has been conducting tests with the PU glue – many makes now on the market – chucking glued bits in a steamer, leaving outside, leaving in creek . Upon trying to split these joints open has only resulted in tearing wood apart… So there we are…

I got to the boat during the Thursday afternoon after a fairly rapid journey: Bus from Hadleigh to S. Benfleet rail station, train to Tilbury Town , bus service to ferry … walk up to Gravesend station, then wow a fast train to Ramsgate via Faversham…

I then set about washing the boat through and getting ready. It rained at first, but as the tide came, slowly, up the creek, it stopped. Over to the west a tinge of late sunshine peaked beneath the cloud layer … I was getting excited. But the tide seemed so slow in making – was I nervous, yes!

However, I eventually departed around 3/4 hour before highwater…

Iron Wharf behind me, outward bound…

It was still light, but it was fading fast. It was an uneventful motor out into the E. Swale and I found a buoy by torchlight… It was dark by the time I passed Hollow Shore.

During the night a wind over tide situation woke me … all the paint I put round the forefoot recently has been bashed away onto the buoy’s hard surface. I HATE those hard plastic buoys!

Looking back at Harty as the sun rose…

I was awake before the alarm and set off as the new day’s light lifted eastwards of me and motored rapidly with the last of the flood westwards towards Elmley Ferry. There I was able to set sail…

Off Elmley Island’s hump with Grovehurst Jetty ahead.

Calling up the bridge keeper to alert him of my desire to transit, I was told that as it was rush hour – there coud be a delay … but he would do his best. I got there at 1/4 to 8!

On the approach, my breakfast bacon ready prepared under the grill had been set to sizzle … buttered rolls sat waiting too. The mate would have been impressed…

Approaching Kingsferry Bridge…

I spent around twenty minutes sailing up and down. During which the bacon had crisped and was soon being munched. By 10 past 8, I was going through… Full sail was soon set.

Tacking round the West Swale…

Running to Queenborough!

I enjoyed a lovely tack up to Long Point, then a rapid run towards that quaint town of Queenborough. Here the wind semed to pick up. Of course, it hadn’t, it was just that we were getting closer to open waters… A wonderful feeling!

Hard on the wind going past the old ferry terminous … the open ‘sea’ beyond beckons beyond.

The weather was just perfect. It could have been summer but for the temperature of around 6 degrees C. Did I care, not a jot, Whimbrel was bounding homewards … the mate, who had texted or called a couple of times, sounded overjoyed!

The bilges were still dry!

After working round the Grain in around 3 m of water I was able to point high enough to sail west of the Mid Nore Swatch. It didn’t last: as he deep water channel buoys were approached the wind died. Whimbrel was soon sagging away towards Holland! A ship was spotted too. On engine. YES, true … but off the pier it was stopped. It had done its bit…

The pier in sight…

Passing close by the Leigh Buoy and into the Ray…

The tide was still ebbing. It had around two hours left to run off the pier. So, on a fine day with a decent breeze, there’s nothing better than a beat to windward. It keeps the cold at bay too… So that’s what I did.

Sailing close into the edge of the Ray Bank, a little below Smallgains Creek. It was just before low water.

Sailing up near where the Leigh Beacon once stood, my phone buzzed … John Chapman, a sailing friend and past Finesse 24 owner, had sent a text. It read: ‘Ready about…’  I sent a message back, quckly, the tiller between the cheeks of my behind, ‘coming round’ and the boat was tacked, again…

I lost count of those tacks, but boy I was warm!

The waiting buoy, laid by the Island YC was soon reached. Close by sails were stowed and the buoy picked up…

After a light luncheon, I cleared away sails and covered the main. I have to say I then hit the sack. I hadn’t been out for more than fifteen minutes and that blessed phone jerked itself across the cabin table shaking and singing away until I answered … the mate … wanted to know if I was alright. Sweet of her! I went back to sleep.

Waking at around 5.20, the kettle was set to boil for a last mug of tea. Then it was time to get underway: the old girl could sniff her muddy berth and she was soon cosseted within its soft bosom as we slid in…

Home! The mate was jumping up and down on the end of the jetty, arms flapping like a demented clown, a grin spread across her face. Pleased to see me or the boat home?

It’s two days later, the mate says that I haven’t stopped grinning…

A few days ago another ‘blast from the past’ hit me.

An email winged its way into my post box from a chap who had read something about my meeting John Prime’s cousin aboard the Edith May last February. John owned the spritsail barge Gipping during my childhood and I’d met him when May Flower was in Maldon for repairs in 1964.

http://nickardley.com/barges-a-small-world/

Anyway, I’ve since put the two ‘lost souls’ in contact. And too, John wishes me to make contact. I would have been a boy of 9 at the time of our temporary home in Maldon. I have always remembered the barge: she was a sailing home, like our own home.

Most of the other barges were largely freshly rerigged and used as yachts – the charter trade hadn’t really started at that point in time. Some others had been in use as pleasure vessels for a little longer, such as Ardeer, Marjorie, Millie, Maid of Connaught and Saltcote Belle. Another, the Anglia, was also a sailing home too.

Only one of these names survives. She is the Marjorie… And in fact the last survivor from the 1962 Thames and Medway barge matches!

Happy Days!