I’d forewarned a friend of mine that today looked good for a sail … I’d got out on Tuesday this week rather unexpectedly, which made it all the nicer!

My friend popped ’round’ after my return having been hard at it, up the road from me, digging his allotment… We had a pot a pot of tea and a scone with some rather delicious strawberry jam, home made, of course… It was funny for the next day, both wives met at a U3A event … my friend was treated to scones that evening. Apparently it was a struggle and he’d finally admitted to already having one…!

Anyway, although he’s afloat in a ‘new’ vessel, it isn’t local currently so the chance of a sail in his own waters was gladly grabbed… The forecast was SW 1-4 becoming 0-3! Arriving at the creek we found absolutely no breeze blowing. A remarkable change from Monday when it was 60 knots from the west… Sails were readied and hoisted and they hung, limply, whilst we sipped some soup. The boat lifted and we were away, puttering out of the creek over a glassy flood whilst munching on home cooked ham sandwiches – bliss!

Puttering out over a glassy flood…

Out in the creek’s entrance I saw a little grebe diving for its lunch. We motored on for a little while then tried sailing whenever there seemed to be any air movement … after gently motoring further eastwards for a little while longer the unmistakeable ripples of the tiniest nature from an easterly zephyr were seen caressing the waters surface. The engine was switched off … it stayed off too.

My friend was grinning from ear to ear as the wind rose and a chuckle could be heard along the clinkered waterline.We watched for ages as a seal, with its head swivelling back and forth, watched us. It stayed in view for quite a little while – once we were followed across the flats here by an inquisitive critter!

All of a sudden Leigh beach arrived off the bow and a tack was prudently made, not wanting to go ashore for an ice cream! The breeze settled into an East South-easterly and we settled into a comfortable sail whilst sipping tea and enjoying a ‘Danish’…

My crew enjoying a cuppa…

Over towards the Leigh marshes at the eastern end of Two Tree Island, Brent were dabbling along the edges chomping on the rich food that abounds here – until they’ve decimated it.

Out in the Thames, a stream of shipping was on the move. A huge container ship, not one of the biggest though, was met by two tugs. ‘Into London Gateway,’ I said! Another sail was seen too – through my ‘glasses’ I spotted  ‘Old Jack’ – he’s nearly 90 and still sailing. It’ll be me in time too, I hope!

The sun glinted upon the river in a mass of dancing diamonds…

Looking towards the Kent shore the sun glinted upon the river in a mass of dancing diamonds. It was fabulous. Then for a short while a single cloud sat between us and the sun … boy did the temperature seem to drop. It felt positively icy. We kept on, hoping to clear it! Eventually, as we were heading out past Canvey’s marshy point which was covered by the tide, we were once again bathed in the suns warming rays.

‘We’ll tack eastwards a bit,’ I said, ‘then drop the main and run for home.’ My crew nodded and tacked.

Out towards Leigh, in the Ray, two power craft were weaving and dancing over each others wash waves, clearly enjoying themselves. My friend said, grinning, ‘probably using more fuel than you use in a year…’ I laughed. I do use fuel…

I dropped and stowed the main as my pal steered for home. Fenders were readied and I dropped the jib halyard onto the deck ready for a quick let go… It was tranquil sailing in. Two men at peace with the world, happy being little boys, again!

My crew ready to let the jib run…

We crept into the creek against the ebb while geese dabbled in the saltings and several flocks of waders swung through the air high above, waiting for the first fresh drying patch to appear and begin a feeding frenzy…

I’m helming again and my pal goes forward, halyard in his hands, waiting. Closing my mooring, I call, ‘Okay…’ and down it runs and we slip alongside.

‘That was great…’ my friend said. Tonight he’ll have a rosy glow … I have too!