Thankfully, the time expended upon my next book has petered away to virtually nothing of late. The final edit has taken place and it has been in the publisher’s hands for a little while.

See:

Ditch-crawler says, new book now undergoing editing…

A few days ago I received an communication telling me that they will be in position to send the edited copy to me for my insertion of illustrations and captions. After which it goes back for a final edit and then pagination – laying out into published form.

I have never done the illustrations in this manner. Usually the publisher has a numbering system, i.e., 001 – 080.

As the edited manuscript is a word document, the editor will have to remove and reinsert full byte images as per my instructions. Word documents reduce quality of photographs…

Clearly it is important to ensure that an illustration has a correct corresponding caption number. It is all too easy to make a ‘cockup’ that’s for sure!

In the meantime, we got away for a proper Bank Holiday weekend, but more of that in another post.

There was a spot of fun in that the mate’s hat went overboard. It was rescued safely and rinsed out. It took two days of the weekend to dry!

After the bank holiday weekend, Whimbrel was moved up the creek to a temporary berth for us to do a large job in the fore cabin…

So, I hope to have news soon of the books next stage. My guess is that it’ll fly onto my desk in a couple of weeks when we’re doing the antifouling…

It has happened before!

All of a sudden April drew nigh and I knew time for maintenance to Whimbrel would be calling loudly.

It is not often that the month of April swings by with so little rain: we can’t actually remember the last time we experienced rain, even the ‘famous’ April showers have been absent.

During March I carried out a job long overdue. Since the boat was built all the negative connections were on an ever growing terminal strip accessed under a cockpit locker seat.

I obtained two busbars and transferred all wires to these over the course of a couple of days. Some wires had to be lengthened to make the run in. Having completed that job, I manufactured a boxing with a sliding cover for access – all completed as April dawned.

Back in February, we had popped over to Faversham to pick up our serviced sails, new dodgers and cockpit cover from Wilkinson’s Sails. I had pre booked a Valentines night away at a rather nice place we know locally too so we had a great time!

The boat’s old sails had been in use since October and it was about time the change back was made: we had plans to sail up to Limehouse for Easter, taking in the Passion Play at Trafalgar Square.

In the event, returning from the west country (Dartmouth) where we had enjoyed a holiday, we both went down with Covid-19. The mate’s ‘plague’ hung around and it took nearly two weeks to clear to a negative position so we abandoned going up the Thames and had a couple of nights away on the Medway.

In the meantime, various areas of varnish were attacked. The winter’s damage wasn’t great so once sanded back these areas had coat after coat applied. I apply at least eight coats to bare wood…

Maintenance took a break over Easter Week when we got away – well not quite: time was used to build coats on those numerous areas.

With the forecast, we had intended on sailing round the back of the Swale for a tranquil night in the South Deep, however, upon reaching Kingsferry Bridge and initially being told a lift time, the operator came back and said that due to traffic congestion we couldn’t go through. No update on when was available – apparently there had been an accident…

We cancelled our request and sailed round to Stangate Creek instead.

It was an enchanting evening anchored along the west of Stangate along Greenborough Marsh. A huge flock of godwits with their russet fronts fed as the tide left the mud banks. A couple of avocet were spotted too.

The next day we poked right up into the entrance to Lower Halstow Dock with a fickle breeze before sailing to Queenborough for the evening. Of course, a pickled egg or two with a couple of pints just had to be enjoyed ashore at the Admiral’s Arm…

Returning to our home mooring, I soon had a window off for resealing and stripping back of varnish coating where it had broken down around the frame.

It was cockpit varnishing time this year too…

We attacked this after a morning on the club’s work party which was a mistake for post covid we both have lacked energy!

It got done…

While Christobel cleaned up the mess and wiped the sanded area down, I added another coat around ‘my’ window – then she took a rest while I varnished round: working area is limited and the mate does not like applying varnish…

With the grand conditions, I went overboard onto walking boards to strip back the bottom of the transom where the varnish had broken down. When doing this I’d decided to raise the boot top to keep the varnish out of the water. A few coats of primer were applied and a couple of hard boot top. It’ll get another when we antifoul in a few weeks time.

And so, the generally showery month of April draws to a close, with continued dry spring-like weather.

The May Bank Holiday weekend looms and we plan to be out there enjoying another bout of early season sailing in what looks currently like benign conditions. It wontr be ‘hot’ but pleasant…

That is good enough for us!

Knowing we were going to be in South Devon over our Forty-fourth wedding anniversary on a ‘no boats’ holiday, I kept a little something up my sleeve…

Although we did travel across the pretty harbour on a ferry – for a trip on the Dart Valley Steam Railway, I saved it until last.

On the day planned for a scenic trip up the Dart Valley to Totnes with winding narrow lanes set deep into the land, I said, as we twisted past the head of Mill Creek, ‘We’re just popping along here…’ pointing to my right.

After the expected question, I added, ‘… the Snark is here…’ I saw a ‘look’ in the corner of my eye as I navigated another sharp bend.

We parked up in the yard alongside the creek with steep sided wooded slopes towering over us. Saying I wouldn’t be long, ‘Have fun, Snark Hunter..’ drifted from the closing door. I was met by the yard owner who had clearly witnessed our arrival.

As soon as I mentioned my quest, he grinned and took me to meet the owner, Paul Jenkins. I was welcomed aboard by Paul, but his partner wasn’t aboard at the time.

I first met Paul at the yard in Chatham where the Snark had originally been constructed from modules. The barge had originally been built at Walton-on-the-Naze some years ago. She ultimately was used for the barge on the beach for the film ‘Intonement’ from the book by Ian McEwan, of same name. The hull units were purchased by Paul who had them transported to Chatham where the hull was reconstructed with much rewelding. She was shortened too.

See: http://nickardley.com/ditch-crawler-visits-the-snark/

The Snark is an almost full sized spritsail barge, but is in fact a barge yacht and fits into the yacht category at maximum length of just under 24 metres. So, unlike a traditional Thames barge, she can go anywhere with the limitations of maximum of twelve passengers…

The Snark’s owners have plans this summer for a circumnavigation of Great Britain with a visit to Belfast in Northern Island. I picked up on this some time ago after seeing a post on a Barge blog site.

Berths are still available for most legs of the passage.

See her web site: https://www.snark.limited/uksailingholidays

It struck me that Paul’s Medway & Thames passage mirrors the passage in my book, Rochester to Richmond A Thames Estuary Sailor’s View. Changes to the river scenes are vividly described…

Available from many, but see : https://www.bookharbour.com/rochester-to-richmond-a-thames-estuary-sailor-s-view

Also: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rochester-Richmond-Thames-Estuary-Sailors/dp/1781556202

Additional cabins were under construction when I went below. My understanding is that these are two berth units allowing couples privacy and own space.

Back aft, the barge yacht has made use of the chaffcutter wheel and steering mechanism found on her ex-trading sisters. The barge has a large mullie mizzen with a slightly smaller main being fitted.

Interestingly, the mast, although in a traditional looking mast case is not lowered by the usual means. It would either have to be lifted out or lowered using a crane, Paul told me. Apparently a new mast is being fitted in 2023.

Looking at the itinerary for the Snark’s summer cruise round Britain and Northern Ireland, I was greatly interested in the plans to sail through the Swale and through the lifting bridge on passage to Chatham. The date for the Swale passage looks likely to be Tuesday 14th June.

After that the Snark is due to reach Gravesend on the day before the Thames Barge Match which is on Saturday 18th June. From Gravesend she goes up to London for a change of guests at Limehouse.

After leaving Limehouse, she is due to be off Southend with plans to go through the inside passage at Havengore, enroute northwards…

‘Are you planning to race with your sisters…’ I cheekily asked Paul.

Paul told me that they wouldn’t be allowed – professional skipper and mainsheet man required – so his plans are to follow.

I suggested he should turn before the barges begin coming home to be in a position to witness the end.

We both agreed that it would be interesting to see how the Snark performed against her older sisters. I added that a visit to the Sea Change Sailing Trust’s Blue Mermaid should be of interest and a chat to Richard Titchener…

I reminded Paul of what I wrote in my book, The May Flower A Barging Childhood: Put simply – ultimately, the future of the vessel type will mean building new for it is surely the rig and how it is operated which is of greater importance than maintaining very old vessels. The Sea Change Sailing Trust has since built the Blue Mermaid. The river barge Defiance has also been built (shortened to fit the 24 m rule).

Against the above, ‘millions’ from both private and charitable means (lottery largely) has been spent rebuilding wooden vessels … most of which rely on charities to sustain them.

I’m not saying it is wrong to preserve an original, but…

Last week, a milestone was reached a couple of days after getting away for a magical night afloat with my youngest sibling.

The mate and I were out walking – a bit of a hike actually – on an urban yomp to Westcliff and back to home. Sitting over a coffee along the route I opened my emails on the iphone. There, sitting in the inbox was a communication from my publisher.

The gist of it was – please read the edited copy of the manuscript, ‘your book’, make any necessary changes and any last alterations/additions, and return to publisher within twenty-one days…

For over a third of my allotted time allowance we were going to be on a holiday over our wedding anniversary. So, nothing for it but to get cracking.

Ditch-crawler signs contract for a new book…

The email sounded ‘complicated’ with instructions on what to do…

The file when I opened it was almost self explanatory. It used a track changes function. There appeared to be two lots of editing – proof reading and ‘errors’ but I was soon to find editor made errors too! The system used made it very easy to see what had been altered.

The proof and editing were in different colours. Editor questions were in another with an box on the side.

Any change I made was also in a different colour…

My part of the process is all but complete with a final check to be made. Then it’ll wing its way back to the editorial desk.

Another milestone was completed during this process too. The design for the front and back covers has been completed.

I cannot display this for obvious reasons!

Currently, I do not have a programme of event dates, but that time is drawing ever closer with the milestones so far reached.

Eventually there will be a little publicity video!

The Island Yacht Club was blessed indeed with the long and fruitful membership of Jack Fenwick.

Sadly, last summer, Jack died after a short illness. I only found out because I said to another member, ‘I haven’t seen Old Jack lately…’

Jack was around the water all his life. In later years he spent many years delivering yachts and he sailed when well into his old age around Britain – well nearly: after repeated attempts to weather the top of Scotland, he and his wife Shirley traversed the Caledonian Canal.

Jack sailed his boat as often as wind and tide allowed. His last trip wasn’t long before an illness prevented him and which quickly caused his death.

I got to know Jack many years ago. It wasn’t until my own early retirement from sea that I really had the time to stand and natter.

Jack asked me to sign a copy of my ‘May Flower’ book: he remembered the barge on the Leigh and Chalkwell foreshore on summer visits during late 1950s through to around 1965.

Before that I had taken over the care of a set of drum creek buoys marking the port hand side of the entrance channel. This came about after I had come up with a plan, later implemented, for the club to have red and green pier lights at the beginning of the moorings, using new technology in the form of solar powered lights.

I met Jack on the club walkways, he had muddy boots on and was carrying a spade. I asked Jack what he’d been doing … he explained what and I said, ‘you shouldn’t be doing that…’ I asked what was needed. The upshot was, I became the ‘buoy man.’ Jack was always on hand for any advice needed.

As a lad, Jack, with a few mates, used to go aboard loaded barges and help ‘poke them up’ the creek when coming in with a cargo for Canvey Supply (The wharf lay just below the old club at its West Creek base).

Ah, Jack could yarn…

One of his long self-promised wishes was to come out across the swatch out of Havengore. Well, one summer, some moons back, Jack, with a band of sailing friends made an early morning departure from the club, sailing and motoring down the Swin to the Outer Crouch. The tide helped them up and into the R. Roach and thence to the Havengore Bridge, passing through a little before high water. I believe the return to base was made via Queenborough the next morning.

Jack was delighted! It was simple sailing…

Jack was a gentleman. One of the best. A jolly good person who cared.

I could go on…

The only memorial I have found is on the Canvey Island community archive (Canveyisland.org), I found this very sad indeed…

There is a short message penned by Valerie Deane, a longstanding member of the Island Yacht Club, an excellent secretary in the past and subsequently, a competent commodore of the club. She wrote:

‘Jack Fenwick passed away 3 weeks ago aged 92 a member of the Island Yacht Club since 1947 and a great sailor. He will be missed by all who knew him.’

Indeed. I am missing our conversations…

The curlew will forever cry out for you Jack, Rest in Peace.

February, like January and the last two months of 2021 were particularly windy.

I had a splendid over-night run with my eldest brother, Graham, while he was in England for our mother’s funeral, but nothing since, for this last month produced four names storms, with three, one after the other, a week or so ago.

The first of two storms during the week ending Friday 18th were largely elsewhere, but the last originally had winds of 85 mph. By the time the forecast hardened up, it was a little less…

On the day, I visited the creek to check on Whimbrel and other vessels. All was well as the moorings were well protected from the wind’s direction. The tide too did not make and was nearly a metre below prediction.

My wait for a sail continued…

Finally, the wind looked as if it would ease sufficiently at the same time as there was a tide to get a sail.

Today, Monday 28th February, the wind abated. A southerly 4-5 was on the forecast, but it was much lighter and I set out with a gladdened heart for the creek, waving my good mate a sweet goodbye (off to London to meet an old college friend).

The tide was dawdling, clearly, as I stepped aboard, so after getting things ready, I fitted a new 12 volt socket with a double USB outlet. I had made this up over the previous weeks. It now graces the fore cabin, ready for my crews this summer!

It was with a little butterfly bouncing around in side me that I eventually slipped out of our berth some 30 to 40 minutes later than usual for the tidal prediction. Later, I heard it was just over 30 cm shy.

Brent geese poked along the mud edges and amongst the cord grass as Whimbrel forged out over the flood. Curlews and oystercatchers announced their territorial presence too.

It was good to feel the boat lifting to the wavelets caused by a touch of east in the southerly wind. Clear of the creek with the tail of the point marsh astern, the boat revelled in it, going along at close to five knots over the tide.

There was no malice in the wind or any measurable sea either, just a ‘popple’ which ‘pinged’ inside the cabin from time to time. It was, however, enough to send up some spray from the bow setting up a foaming stream along the clinker lands.

I cracked on eastwards to off the Westcliff shore before turning to run along the shore to Leigh-on-Sea.

Just before the Essex Yacht Club a group of sea swimmers were either in the water or preparing to enter. Mad!

Closing Bell Wharf, at Leigh-on-Sea, the depth began to be dicey, so I bore away for the Ray Channel, skirting the Leigh Flats – two turns of plate were too much!

I had not been up into Hadleigh Ray beyond the Old Salvation Army Jetty for some time. I used to sail ‘west’ up to the barrier frequently, but since the threats made to the boat and the verbal abuse to ourselves afloat during the earlier Covid-19 lockdown periods of 2020, sadly, I (we) have all but ceased going beyond a certain point upstream.

Passing along Two Tree Island, I looked north and waved at a friend who may have been watching from a window along the housing line on the hill above!

The island of mud named Bird Island was just covered with a group of gulls semi-paddling on its top. A cormorant had no problem standing in the shallow water letting a meal slip down…

It was so lovely to slip along the edge of the saltings bathed in sunshine. Along the sea wall the odd walker stopped to stare. A couple of all-terrain cyclists went by whilst another sat resting upon a log seat. A seat which the mate and I have often used. The chap was holding his camera aloft, in a slow swing down stream. ‘Send me a shot…’ I felt like calling!

I heard the radio give the tide height for 1100, some fifteen minutes beyond high water. It was low … no time to dawdle on. It was time to head home!

Turning by a Benfleet YC racing buoy, below a creek chicane below the moorings, it was more of a hard reach back. A few tacks were needed along the run of Two Tree Island and to work south to the entrance to my creek, inside the eastern point.

The drifts and whirls of the wintering waders was largely missing. Numbers seemed to be low. Maybe next time…

After dropping the main, Whimbrel forged over the ebb, up the creek to her berth – the merest touch of engine was needed for the final manoeuvre…

It was Bloody Marvellous…

During last summer we spent over a week bumbling around the River Deben with several nights in the Tidemill Marina.

We were conserving gas by reducing usage aboard to the minimum – the marina had not had a delivery of gas for 11 months the harbour master explained! I eventually solved this problem by changing to propane, ordering an exchange and a new regulator from Fox’s Marina chandlery. They were very helpful indeed…

Anyway, we paid the Sutton Hoo Exhibition a fresh visit having learnt that it had been revamped. To our utter disgust, what we saw was not worth the entrance cost. It has been ‘dumbed down’ and turned into a IT visual experience, largely.

The mock up of the ship burial has gone. In its place is a ‘Whale backbone’ from which one is supposed to get and idea of what was buried…

Quite frankly, we were both so appalled by the new set up that it is very unlikely we will ever return. The best place, now, to see the items and get a an idea of what and how the burial may have looked is at the British Museum, sadly!

https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/death-and-memory/anglo-saxon-ship-burial-sutton-hoo

So, moving on. In one of the new large sheds on the site of the Woodbridge Boatyard, is the beginnings of a new long-ship. It is a replica of the outline drawn from the excavations of the Sutton Hoo Ship Burial in which it is firmly thought the body of the 7th century Anglo-Saxon ruler King Raedwald was interred.

visit the Sutton Hoo Saxon Ship in Woodbridge

I have added the link to the web site of the group carrying out this project for it covers more than I can tell here…

Near the open entrance to the shed was a mock up of the cross section of the vessel to be built.

Below are a couple of examples showing the wooden peg method of securing which lasted into the age of spritsail barge building with the use of treenails.

The November 2021 issue of Yachting Monthly had an excellent article within written by international maritime historian Bruce Stannard who has been part of the Endeavour project in Australia.

The article discusses thoughts on whether the Sutton Hoo Ship was a Royal barge, oared cargo carrier or sail/oar powered sea-going ship. All unknown factors…

All interesting stuff.

BBC News – Suffolk – carried a piece about the project too.

See: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-59236347

Leaving Woodbridge, I was able to catch a glimpse of a very much smaller version of the ship built some years ago. She was moored downstream of the Tide Mill off the sailing/yacht club bases.

The project is worth watching as progress is made…

On BBC Radio 4 this week, prostate cancer was the ‘talk of the day’ with discussions with Bill Turnbull who has a serious case – currently living with it and its treatment – and a chap from NHS England.

I have chopped a piece out of the media (Yahoo News) to help concentrate the minds of you men.

Ella Pickover, PA Media Health Correspondent, said:

‘Around 14,000 men in England could have undiagnosed prostate cancer and may be in need of urgent treatment, a charity has warned.

More than 58,000 men in England have begun treatment for prostate cancer since the start of the pandemic – 14,000 fewer than would have been expected in pre-pandemic numbers, according to Prostate Cancer UK.

The charity said it was concerned that the number of “missing” patients would continue to grow.’

Now, when I asked for my test I had not had any symptoms and hadn’t done any research – it was a BBC Radio 4 morning programme that alerted me.

The story can be tracked below. It will also form a part of my forthcoming book…

Ditch-crawler has a scare … my continuing prostate treatment story.

Ella continued:

‘For many, symptoms do not appear until the disease has already spread, so the charity is urging men to use its risk assessment tool.

Those at higher risk are urged to contact their GP.

The charity said many men have felt reluctant to “bother” their GP during the pandemic.

Anyone who does experience symptoms, such as problems urinating or needing to go more often, should speak to their doctor to get checked.

The condition is treatable if caught early, which is why the charity, along with NHS England, are working to find the “missing” patients.’

The wonderful actor and raconteur, Stephen Fry was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2017. His like mine was found after a routine health check, but I had to demand the test at the health check…

Television presenter Bill Turnbull, living with prostate cancer, has also backed the current campaign.

‘Stephen Fry said: “As you can imagine, I was pretty knocked back when I received a diagnosis of prostate cancer, particularly as I had no symptoms to indicate anything was wrong – something I later learned is very common. Thankfully it was caught early, making it more treatable.

“That’s why I’d urge you to check your risk and speak to your GP if you have any concerns – even if you feel completely well, as I did.

“Prostate Cancer UK’s risk checker can help you understand your risk and the next steps to take.”

Turnbull said: “So much has been done to raise awareness of prostate cancer in recent years, and it’s critical we don’t lose any more ground because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Prostate cancer is so much more treatable when it’s caught early, unfortunately mine wasn’t. So if you’re a man who’s at risk of the disease or worried about prostate cancer, don’t put off going to the doctor to talk about it.

“It’s understandable that people haven’t wanted to go to their GP during a pandemic, but the message is that the NHS is open and they want to see you. You can also find out more about your risk and what you can do about it by using the risk checker on Prostate Cancer UK’s website.”

Yes, right…

Ella’s piece continued:

‘Nicola Tallett, acting chief executive at Prostate Cancer UK, said: “Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, but the pandemic has meant thousands of men have not come forward for diagnosis and could be missing out on lifesaving treatment.”

“Although thousands of men are still being treated each month, if things don’t change soon, the number of men missing out will continue to grow.”

“Men have been telling us they haven’t wanted to ‘bother’ their GP during the pandemic – particularly if they don’t have any symptoms, which is the case for most men with early prostate cancer. This means men at higher risk of the disease are not having those vital conversations about their risk that can lead to a diagnosis.”

Professor Peter Johnson, national clinical director for cancer for NHS England, said: “I urge you to use the Prostate Cancer UK risk checker today – it is a quick and easy way to understand your risk of prostate cancer and how you can take further action if you are at risk.”

“That’s why we’re working with NHS England to raise awareness and encourage men to take our risk checker to find out more about their risk and what they can do about it.”

“The prognosis for the people we’re yet to see will be much better the earlier we see them but we do need to see them as soon as possible.”

“It’s important men understand prostate cancer often doesn’t show any symptoms at an early stage, so don’t delay – check your risk now. The simple check could be lifesaving.”…’

Thank you Ella for such an informative piece.

Now, what surprised me was that nothing was said about the fact that testing for men is available from the age of fifty. Some GP practices offer it, many don’t. Most don’t even (or didn’t) advertise the facts about the risks and that testing is available.

So, my message is: Call your doctor’s surgery and GET TESTED!

The earlier it is caught the higher the chances of a good outcome and a ‘normal’ life…

The exhibition is open until Sunday 13th February. It has a wonderful array of talented works with views up and down the River Thames and its furthermost estuarial environs.

The slogan the group is operating under currently is: ‘A Changing View’ which is something right up my street with what I have been writing about – my last book, Rochester to Richmond, a Thames Estuary Sailor’s View, especially.

One of the things I did notice was that a number of the paintings are completed works from pieces clearly began some years before. There was one looking towards Maldon with the big old smack, Telegraph along the shore in the foreground. She was moved near to Heybridge Basin nearly a decade ago!

That said, the quality was fantastic.

The Downs Road Boatyard is always a place of wonder. The workmanship of the yard is brilliant and it is fascinating to watch a crafstman at work, if given a chance.

Knowing the yard owner helps, but always ask!

I love it ‘up river’ along the banks of the Thames above the greater metropolis. A serenity and simplicity of a natural river can be seen in many places.

Below is a yard on Eel Pie Island.

The Thistle is now generally moored in Lower Halstow Dock and is part of the joint venture with the Edith May – see the Tiller & Wheel web site.

Below is a picture I would happily hang on the wall. Space however is not available unless a picture is dispensed with…

Below is another I liked…

It is a familiar scene in a loved anchorage (mooring) spot. The island – Packing Marsh – is under threat from the sea though. Yet again thousands of cubic metres of sand and shingle have been pumped onto its south-eastern end, also Cobb Marsh to the east.

Tidal rise is eating away at both. If they go, the anchorage would change drastically, being open to strong easterlies from which great protection is still given.

Below is a small piece of Benfleet Creek. The boat, however, hasn’t been there for years!

These moorings sit just upstream of Erith Yacht Club and access is from a different gate, so is, I would say, incorrectly titled!

The structures so reminded me in a great rustic way to those of my own moorings, which, I hasten to add are in far better condition!

There now follows a run of paintings – all water colours – by Alan Runagall, a fellow resident of Hadleigh (Essex)

Above is a view, I believe, looking up the River Crouch, from the quay at North Fambridge, with the old wildfowlers cottage on the edge of the saltings.

A familiar view above…

Love poking around the yard here.

Ah, Tollesbury. Great place to drop into for a couple of days, with a butcher, baker and stores in the village.

Just below the railway bridge, I believe…

Two of the artists said to me that a sunset is the most difficult thing to paint. A photograph can though do it justice. The picture is from the shore at Queenborough. Whimbrel is to the right hand side, with dinghy astern.

Ah, here is one the mate lusted after. She deliberately left her credit card at home – I offered, but she dragged me out!

Yes, it was good.

You have just a few days to get there and savour the works…

Thank you, Wapping Group, for the invitation.

On Monday, last, the 31st January 2022, the family laid our mother to rest. As reported in an earlier post, she died on Boxing Day 2021 with our sister holding her hand.

Our mother was born on 14th December 1931 into a world far removed from the world we now live in.

She met our father through sailing…

The pair bought the spritsail barge May Flower from Green Brothers of Maldon and sailed her to Leigh-on-Sea with a bunch of club sailors in 1950.

They married a year later…

The barge was supposed to have been a fifteen year project … it lasted for 31 years!

The barge was soon to take most of her time – never mind household chores and a growing brood of children, the barge was all consuming.

Water had to be collected by barge boat for fifteen years too…

Our parents carried out many extensive structural renewals during the 1950s and early 1960s. Mother also stitched up a new mainsail in 1960/61 too…

The press got hold of the affair!

Weekends were spent dropping down river to Queenborough, Stangate and often a stop-over at Hoo if tide or wind not conducive for a return to Whitewall Creek.

After stitching up a new mainsail and the fitting of a new mainmast and sprit, our parents went racing alongside the professional sailormen in the annual Thames and Medway barge matches.

When the trading matches finished in 1963, both were heavily involved with a new Medway Match Committee, with a new beginning in 1965. Mother designed the programmes and drew a course map – the design is still in use!

The family’s last sail on the May Flower came in 1974. Our father had gone blind by then and Graham, my eldest brother, sailed as skipper.

A house was found a few years later and by 1980 the barge was sold.

Mother never let go of the water though!

Our parents had a little 10′ dinghy for a number of years. Both came sailing on our first boat, Blue Tail, a Yachting World Peoples Boat, and later on Whimbrel our Finesse 24. Mother continued with this joy regularly over the years.

Sailing was a life-long passion. Our mother also sailed with my sister on her Topper and Mirror dinghies, with her youngest on his Albacore and over in Canada with our eldest sibling in his home rigged dory!

Our father died way back in 1994 leaving our mother to enjoy a third of her life doing just what she wanted to do…

She studied for a fine art degree before having to cease due to ill health. During this period she painted, sketched and illustrated. Those that know my books will be aware of the latter.

Her art and family took precedence!

For our mother’s 80th birthday, we secretly booked the spritsail barge Edith May for a whole day trip. All her children and most of her grandchildren were aboard.

As we were thirteen, I went third hand!

A move to inland Devizes did not stop her ‘frolics’ upon the water: she went on canal boats on little trips!

As a finale to her life, that bob dressed her coffin with a simple floral cross.

It was a touching tribute.

We had a crematory service first before a celebration of her life at St Johns Devizes, attended by many of her family and friends, past and present.

As a final tribute, I add the concluding lines from the eulogy we put together, written up and given by me…

‘Finally, after a series of falls during the Covid pandemic of 2020, she moved to the Merlin Court Care Home. There, the staff caringly looked after and nursed her during her last sixteen months. To them, the family offer huge gratitude.

Last autumn, after a lapse of a year from touching her pencils or paints, mother took part in an art session, painting a delightful array of flowers.

It was wonderful…

A last hurrah…

So, sail on mother. Wander the eternal shorelines and wooded glades. Sit, ponder, and sketch, for ever…

God Bless.’

During this last week, I received a note through the post with unknown handwriting.

It was from the sister of Pat O’Driscoll. The sister had opened the post of Pat’s on the run up to Christmas and probably is still doing so: Pat, bless her, died on 28th November. It would have been about the time I sent my Christmas card to her…

I have know Pat for many years but have not met since I was a teenager (she told me) when she was just out of serving as a barge mate on motor barges.

I am sure there will be an extensive tribute to Pat O’Driscoll in the months ahead. To me she was special. Her knowledge and power of recall on past times afloat during that interim period when cut down spritsail barges operated as motorised barges up and down the coasts on the usual historical runs. Pat freely gave me so much information and her letters are on file still. She also sent many pictures, asking only for a credit.

One of my favourites is the ‘washing line’ one above, but here, below, is another.

The last cargo run for the Edith May.

I shall miss her regular cards at Christmas and sending our news. She always wanted to know about my mother, well, maybe you’re both reminiscing up there…

Rest in Peace Pat. Bless you…

Postscript.

Since writing this piece, members of Pat’s family have been in touch, more from Pat’s youngest sister, Anne, and also from a great niece.

Anne Bannon wrote:

‘…difficult to know whom to contact when she died as her correspondents had fallen off somewhat. I had her heavily annotated address book and cards to go by and of course I knew a lot of names but it was pity that a lot of people were left out.   Please apologise to any you know who should have been told but weren’t.’

Yes, my family also found heavily annotated addresses… 

Anne also wrote:

‘…loved Paddy’s line of washing, it was so typical of her.  At home we called her ‘Dame Washalot’ after the character in the Enid Blyton, Faraway Tree book.’

And mentioning the great niece:

‘Imo (Imogen) said some time ago she was getting in touch with people re Paddy after seeing a conversation on fb (facebook) wondering what had happened to her.  Sadly as well as still sorting out Paddy’s affairs we have had another very sudden bereavement so I  didn’t follow it up as I would normally.  I haven’t been taking so much notice of other things just now.  I’m glad to have seen your post.’

Thank you Anne and Imogen for taking the time to write.

I never knowingly met Pat in person, but may have as a youngster, but as said she was so free with her flow of information to any question – much in the same fashion as her old shipmate, Barry Pearce. I will miss the sending of the annual Christmas card with a note on how things were…

A little while ago, before the end of last year (2021) there was much in the media about safety around the coasts and within harbours and rivers. It was the irresponsible behaviour of watercraft owners in particular which was homed in on.

The hiatus caused by irresponsible ‘new’ owners of Personal Watercraft during the Covid-19 Pandemic has brought water safety and regulation of to the notice of the media – even the Times – and more importantly to harbour authorities.

Then, amazingly, it has been found that many authorities do not have any powers of note to deal with irresponsible and dangerous use. So, the DfT opened the subject for debate and what regulation was needed.

I picked up on some of this in a post in December 2021. See below:

Ditch-crawler picks up on PLA drive for river safety…

The shipping and boating industries online news bulletin carried an article during November of 2021, .

I read of the Royal Yachting Association’s response to a Department of Transport (DfT) consultation paper on whether ‘Recreational watercraft should be subject to same safety obligations that exist for ship operators.’

For clarity, all leisure craft owners are subject to these regulations currently, as some have found to their cost. It is why we should all carry full comprehensive insurance. Most yacht clubs require it. What marinas require I am not aware.

However, it became apparent the Personal Watercraft (PWC) have never been included in the current legislation, making it difficult to ‘nail the blighters’ except in some cases – the Port of London Authority for instance – who have successfully prosecuted PWC owners.

The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) whilst broadly in favour of the DfT’s outline changes are wary of the encroachment of over regulation, quote, ‘the possible unintended consequences … could lead to unnecessary regulation across the leisure and recreational boating sector’.

The RYA also believe that the proposed definition of ‘watercraft’ is too broad and needs to be specific.

My thoughts are, why not a list of vessel types perhaps…

I am sure at some point the DfT will push out their finalised proposals to lay before Parliament : it will require a change in the relevant part of the Merchant Shipping Acts!

The problem is not limited to PWC’s for during August 2020 an incident in the Solent was recently passing through the court system.

A RIB being driven around on a ‘Thrills’ trip hit a navigational buoy whilst passing at speed to give the passengers a kick. One of the passengers was killed when the RIB collided with the buoy – I expect it was ‘rolling’ in the tide, something all small craft sailors are aware of when passing close to a buoy.

The RIB was operated, the news item stated, by Seadog RIB Charter Ltd. The driver has been charged with gross negligence…

Food for thought in all that we do afloat.

I was walking across the yard of the Island Yacht Club some time last year when a hail arrested my steps towards the jetties and Whimbrel.

I toddled over and was met by a grinning chap who proceeded to furnish me with a flourish of praise and thanks.

What for you might ask. Well, he had just completed rereading all of my currently published books through again as a form of lockdown therapy…

‘When’s the next one coming,’ he added without a pause.

At the time I prevaricated and mentioned doing ‘some bits and pieces…’

Then, during the year I began to receive a string of emails…

One wrote: ‘I just wanted to say how much I have enjoyed reading your sailing related books. They greatly helped me keep my spirits up during the long winter covid lockdown. (beginning of 21 to end of March 21).

Three read, two saved for winter…’

The chap went on to describe playing on an old barge near South Fambridge … apparently not much left of her. I went looking with my mate in tow on one of our weekly longer walks. Neither of us could spot any signs where SSBR Barge Compendium places the vessel’s remains (William & Arthur).

From The Netherlands I had a long email filling me in on activities achieved against Dutch covid requirements: like us they’ve had lockdowns and restrictions, if not more so.

I often sail alone and the evenings on board were a good opportunity to read your book Salt Martsh & Mud.
It was a source of reading pleasure. The pleasant communication on board between you and Christobel, the nice adventures you have, the beautiful descriptions of the voyage, the attention for nature, the continuous presence of the rich maritime past of you and the sailing area and last but not least the beautiful, playful and richly varied use of words and language in which the stories are cast, made me again and again curious about the> next chapter and your new adventures.

In short, I really enjoyed it!

While reading, I kept google maps handy and it’s surprising how well your travels can be followed then. I imagine I’m getting to know the area the book is set in quite well.

I also heard from another reader and wife, both keen sailors, with a River Deben moored boat. The email was a sweet ‘checking up’ on us with news. Within the words, the writer asked:

‘I also wondered whether you have any new publications due or which might be ‘on the stocks’ for the future? I’m currently re-reading Mudlarking having just finished Rochester to Richmond again…’

I can’t remember if I told them the truth…

Perhaps I should!

There have been other communications and messages too, however it would be churlish to go on, so to all of you: it has given me huge pleasure too in reading your kind words. The mate was in tears with a couple of the messages she saw…

The covid lockdowns have not been easy for anyone. Escapism is a good medicine, as is/was walking, and last lockdown gave me the impetus to sit and write.

The book, when it comes out, will have been a product of the winter 2021 lockdown. By its end, the book was essentially completed and is now currently going through proofreading and editing…

It has been a bit of a month down on the Thames estuary with just a few available days fit for sailing when the tide was in. I grabbed two of those…

My eldest brother was over from Canada a little while back and he hit a period of excellent weather in the east, enjoying a three day sail and another out on the tide before hightailing back to Canada as Covid-19 variant Omicron began to hit.

Over a couple of days before Christmas I was able to get afloat for a couple of sails. It at least ‘showed’ the tree off to other folk afloat. Hauling a tree aloft is a rarity these days on ships and boats.

Christmas Day arrived to another bout of windy mizzly weather – no matter I have only sailed on Christmas day on very few occasions!

Boxing Day morning our phone rang early.

I looked across at the mate as she listened … it was my sister down in Devizes about to leave for our mother’s care home. She wasn’t good…

Advice was get going!

Sadly, my dear mama died a little after eight. She went peacefully, bless her, with my sister holding her hand.

So, the the artistic sailing mum we all knew has passed on to pastures new… She has left us her memories.

I, for one, will always treasure the sketches she came up with to illustrate the first three books to follow ‘May Flower’. It was something she was superb at.

So, although it is the festive season until twelfth night for many, it is for me and my siblings (and others) a sad time too.

Sail on mum, wander the eternal shorelines and the wooded glades. Sit, ponder and sketch, for ever.

God Bless…

To all, good sailing or whatever boating you participate in. Let us all hope for a better 2022 out on the water.

Whimbrel ‘managed’ 930 nautical miles for 2021, pretty good really, considering…

I first met Max when he pitched up at my yacht club to begin working on the regular Saturday routine. He had been at it a little while without my knowledge while I was away summer sailing aboard Whimbrel.

I immediately found Max to be one of those honest down to earth guys that often seem all too rare.

Max had appeared at the club with a robust little yacht called Kate which he had sailed across the Atlantic with a ‘duff’ engine. Within months he was negotiating a purchase deal for Wendy May, a deep keeled gaffer then owned by Dick Durham.

Due to family needs (aged parent) Max had to move. So, I felt sad when he slipped his mooring and sailed Wendy May off to a distant Welsh creek.

Christobel bought this book for me as a birthday present. It was read aboard Whimbrel during the recent glorious ‘gas-less’ summer generally when up mud creeks – far removed from the blue waters of the Caribbean where most of the story is told.

I remember this ship at Battlesbridge from many years ago. What it was doing there was alien to my thinking. And, as Max tells, he needed a very good spring tide to make the passage up to the top of the tidal River Crouch. Her name: Gloria.

Max delights in telling us about the trials and tribulations in getting his ship in order. His previous boat was a little yacht kept at the Thurrock Yacht Club.

Max made it to the Caribbean via the Iberian peninsular, Los Palmas and the Cape Verde Islands. There he worked to earn enough to make repairs and ‘live’ … Max then sailed the yacht back home, alone…

Then after stops to visit family ‘down west’ he made it back to Battlesbridge taking a crew aboard to help with this bit!

There are a scattering of black & white images and an end map with some details of the routes taken.

I have sailed the high seas aboard ships, but other than a south coast passage have never gone deep sea aboard a ‘little ship’ so I found this story of great interest. It was compelling…

Max is passionate about his sailing and clearly knows his stuff.

Thanks Max, I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

See: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Boat-They-Laughed-At/dp/1471043606/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3UTUKC6P3ZY05&keywords=the+boat+they+laughed+at&qid=1638976161&sprefix=The+boat+they+laughed%2Cdigital-text%2C143&sr=8-1

Published by Amazon, 2012.

ISBN: 9781471043604

Price: £7.99

I knew Dick in a childhood sort of way one does when the person appears in one’s life to crew (and work) aboard your Thames spritsail barge home.

Dick disappeared from my life and he next turned up as a ‘yotty’ working for Yachting Monthly. Dick later graduated to News Editor and had his own column, which he still has several years after his retirement.

Dick’s sweet gaff cutter Betty II is moored adjacent to Whimbrel at the same yacht club. We’ve ‘slaved’ together many hours on club work parties so I think I have got to know this author, sailor, raconteur and bloody good bloke fairly well…

I received a copy of Dick’s latest work, Turnip Road, for my birthday in June 2021. I read it during a long summer spent afloat on Whimbrel.

The book tells the tale of a young man who after working on the last working spritsail barge, the Cambria, had a wanderlust that needed to be satiated.

Dick travels across Europe, meeting people travelling in the same direction. He hitched, took buses and actually walked a little of it too…

Some of his fellow travellers became confederates in the same cause: friends on the trail, until one or the other peeled off in their own direction.

What was his direction. Well, along the ‘hippie trail’ in the main at first, but from there it wasn’t clear. He just kept on going.

The scents, smells and filth of the conditions found on the journey convey much colour. One wonders if many of the places have changed? Well, of course they will have, but what I mean is for the betterment of the people?

Dick finally made it to Sidney! The city isn’t one normally associated with such travelling but modern backpackers hike around Oz stopping at the countries cities. Dick had a sister living there, so why not…

I found the book enthralling. His power of description is something else and could possibly be termed ‘purple’ (a phrase chucked my way by someone who clearly hadn’t properly read one of my books!) but all of Dick’s books are so written.

It was a spanking good read.

Only one gripe: a few pictures would have been great and perhaps a route map…

Thank you Dick for filling in much in the way of gaps. I would like an ask! When are you going to progress that brilliant duo, Dippy and her DI?

Turnip Road by Dick Durham.

ISBN: 9798590450107

Published by Amazon. See: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Turnip-Road-Beyond-Hippie-Southend-ebook/dp/B08RZC2FNT

Paperback: £9.00

Kindle: £6.00

Apparently, the reporting of near miss incidents has fallen by a staggering near 50% over the last few years. The Port of London Authority are clearly concerned for they know that safety has NOT improved to that extent.

It is the reporting that has dropped. The PLA want river users to be proactive in reporting incidents for ultimately damage, injury or loss of life can be minimised.

There was a notice earlier in the autumn which caught my attention, but the later one first, I think…

It is about the approach of Christmas!

See: https://www.pla.co.uk/assets/19of2021-christmasdrinkanddrugsawarenesscampaign.pdf

Small chunk lifted from PLA Notice 19 of 2020…

‘CHRISTMAS DRINK & DRUGS AWARENESS CAMPAIGN As we approach the Christmas Season, the Port of London Authority (PLA) and the Metropolitan Police’s Marine Policing Unit will once again be supporting the Metropolitan Police Service annual ‘Christmas Drink – Drive’ campaign. This high-profile campaign highlights the dangers of driving whilst under the influence of drink or drugs – this message applies equally to the river as well as the roads, as the safety of vessels, passengers and crews is of paramount importance…’

The drive or emphasis seems to be on the ‘upper’ river sections but we all know that down in the estuary it is of paramount importance too!

I have a rule on Whimbrel, unwritten and unsaid, but alcohol is not served whilst underway. If a lunch stop is on the agenda, a pint is the maximum I will enjoy. My crews too.

A small snifter in a coffee on a cold day being the only deviation!

The other notice that hit me between the eyes was something which I have had recourse to use. This is PLA Notice 17 of 2020 – Near Miss Reporting.

It was after being ‘bombed’ by a RIB. We were in the shallows outside Smallgains Creek. I was on the cabin top preparing to set the mainsail. Christobel was on the helm.

The boat went ‘ballistic’ … Christobel was thrown off the tiller and across the cockpit, jarring herself. The boat slewed dangerously.

How I didn’t go overboard, to this day I do not know. I wish I had in many respects: it would have got more done about it…

Sadly, I still have waking periods at night when it pops into my head…

I will say no more!

So, I had a good look at the link. There is an incident reporting form on the small craft ‘navigators club’ site on the PLA web site.

See: https://boatingonthethames.co.uk/?__hstc=106811548.d2e9cdab5823129638d2533b97bf9d2f.1589111288148.1589187344000.1589264643408.4&__hssc=106811548.1.1589264643408&__hsfp=630254131

The section is called: Boating on the Thames and it covers all areas from the estuary up to the tidal limit at Teddington. Get yourself listed if a Thames sailor and enjoy!

I have cut a little section from the PLA document…

See: https://www.pla.co.uk/assets/17of2021-navigationalnearmissandincidents-newwayofreporting.pdf

‘NAVIGATIONAL NEAR MISS & INCIDENTS NEW WAY OF REPORTING A new way of reporting Navigational Near Misses and Incidents has been developed and is now publicly available to all River Users through our website or the PLA Tidal Thames app on your smartphone. To report a Near Miss or Incident via our website, go to pla.co.uk and click on Near Miss & Incident Reporting on the home page.’

It goes on…

‘Therefore, if you are involved or are a witness to a near miss or incident, please report this as soon as possible by submitting a report via our website or the PLA Tidal Thames App which can be downloaded…’

We were sailing over to Queenborough that day – we made it – and enjoyed a great weekend at the Traditional Boat Festival (2019).

If afloat over the Festive period, get out there and enjoy yourself, but leave the imbibing to afterwards…

For all Finesse owners this is your opportunity to meet with many more owners and see other craft within the Finesse fleet.

It is a worthwhile enterprise and great fun with like-minded souls.

The 2022 Rally is planned for Queenborough over the mid-June weekend when tides are of a friendly height.

I gather a number of craft have said they will be attending already – as will Whimbrel and her crew.

Contact details on poster picture…

Recently I updated my ‘Books’ page on the web site.

See:

Ditch-crawler updates his ‘books’ page…

Well, moving on from there, I have fantastic news: A new book is due.

Today, I signed a contract with a publisher after negotiating a book deal.

I can’t say much more at the moment but in the coming months there will be a trailer video…

Update: 7th December 2021.

The publisher now has the completed manuscript and the process begins…

During the summer we sailed into West Mersea a few times. One was over a weekend when there was a bit of a fair taking place on the carpark in front of the West Mersea Yacht Club – regatta end day, I think.

Apart from Christobel asking how she could become a fairy … the stall that caught my eye was emblazoned with the ‘word’ ENORI’ and being inquisitive, I walked over.

It turned out that the letters stand for, Essex Native Oyster Restoration Initiative. It is a collaboration between all stakeholders and others who are working towards the restoration of the traditional native oyster beds.

The native oyster does not thrive in the drying shallows but it lives in the shallower tidal waters fringing sand/mud banks and creeks.

The project has begun with a trial ‘patch’ of culch laid in part of a block which recently appeared in ‘our’ chart corrections. It is roughly in the pencilled area seen on the chart section above. It is surprisingly big, however, the section in use is relatively small as of August this year.

The native oyster has been around a jolly long time and ‘all’ shell finds in Roman (greater consumers), centuries before and after up to the disasters of the last century are of this family.

The much more widely consumed oyster now is the ‘Pacific’ which was imported to restock after the devastations following big freezes – 1963 especially which proved pivotal.

The first layings of culch – the fragmented oyster particles that the spat clings to – have been made. This bank will be fed spat and young oysters and farmed in the traditional manner.

The chap I chatted to was not only very knowledgeable but was also extremely passionate with the project. It was a great chat.

So, if you haven’t picked up on your chart corrections and marked up the ‘oyster box’ then it might be wise to do so!

And, if a lover of oysters, perhaps in the years to come, the good old native will slip down with a pint or two…

The old packing shed lives on, on Packing Marsh Island, however, the island itself is in a precarious state. Its survival appears to be at the behest of ‘regular’ discharges of shingles on its shores. I could clearly see huge degradation from my previous visit to the area two seasons ago.

I feel the native oyster has a better chance of survival…

See www.essexnativeoyster.com