Bradwell Marina is a place oft used by many up and down the coast. It is especially useful as a jumping off point for passages northwards or southwards, as in my own case if one peruses our log books.

One of the other reasons it has, over the years, proved useful is the fact that it always had a working laundry facility. Years ago cruising with a young child the ability to dump a load of washing in a machine is quite frankly a boon, especially when on extended cruising which we now do during the summer. One can only carry so much and duvet covers are difficult to wash by hand … although at Bradwell two years ago my mate ‘had’ to do just that – it’s been mentioned in a story to come out soon!

A couple of years ago the marina refurbished their ablution block updating the showers etc. One ‘fatality’ of that refurb was the demise of the laundry facility … My mate and I both lodged complaints … according to the management in the tower it was something that wasn’t needed. My wife was quite forthright and said, ‘Okay, we’ll not come in if washing needs doing…’ which we stuck to over last two seasons: Tollesbury got our custom instead…

The Finesse Rally was planned for Bradwell this year (a week ago now) and surprise, surprise, the marina has reinstated the facilities … it is located in a building over by the lift dock. The key is available from the tower. Hooray!

Whimbrel at recent Finesse rally with a load of washing – duvet covers and towels – acting as big bits of bunting…