It was with some glee that we got away for the May (Workers) Bank Holiday after all the necessary work of varnishing, deck repairs and internal cleaning. We still have the antifouling to do and it is coming up fast – the mate, in particular is enthralled with this!

On the Friday, Christobel had a visit to a hearing centre sort out her lack of hearing (notice is served on me here: those quiet mutters will have to quieter!) and a set of ‘microphones’ were chosen!

Saturday still held some of the week’s warmth and we sailed away under an azure sky, clipping along nicely over the last of the flood. The Marconi SC were holding a training weekend for new youngster to sailing and there were a number of compact groups operating around Stansgate Abbey.

Mate spying the way ahead.

Apart from a largish yacht deciding to cut across another causing a near close quarters with ourselves, it was an uneventful sail and we enjoyed creeping into the quarters under the Genoa to find a buoy – am easy task at this time of the year.

Out for my first dinghy sail of year…

During the evening gulls made themselves felt as they exchanged territorial shrieks! Two motor craft seemed intent on severing the chain to which our chosen buoy was attached and threw us around a tad … we got another at about 0530 the next morning. Unlike Brightlingsea and the Colne, West Mersea is a law unto itself…

We had planned to go into Pyefleet. however we wondered if friends in Brightlingsea would like to meet for a glass.

Sailing out of the Quarters past a sleeping spritsail barge.

We nodded to The Molliete beacon as we passed it by. The broken remains of the old concrete coaster were visible, it being a little after low water by then.

Closing East Mersea Stone under a greying sky.

By Sunday, the fear of the forecasters had materialised and the second half of the bank holiday was going to be chillier with little sunshine. Bah!

On arrival the harbour team said visitor berths were full up. Strange, I thought for even I could see some gaps more than big enough. They decided to take us right down the pontoons to a berth on the south side of south pontoon. Upon my enquiry about low tide departure the said, ‘You will be aground…’

Said we’d leave… They came back and moved us to a BIG open area on the Fisherman’s Pontoon with enough space for a fleet of Sir Keir’s new destroyers… When we told friend about this he was a little dismissive of crop of staff!

Again, in the afternoon after a shore run for a coffee, I had a spin round the harbour and Cindery Island in Twitch. During that sail, I discovered that the dinghy has a bit of a leak – from where I couldn’t make out. Once back alongside Whimbrel, I lifted the floor boards and central board … there was a weep from the forward end of one side of centre plate box.

Our evening chicken in wine was pre-prepared before heading ashore to meet the husband of our sailing friends. Lady had an op that week and was taking it easy. We had a couple of glasses and a convivial chat.

Ready … Let Go…

Bank Holiday Monday opened dull and chilly. We’d not had it so cold for ages having been enjoying somewhat of an early spring heatwave.

We’re sailing off I said in our departure discussions with my good mate. It was not a surprise to her! Singled up to slip lines, sail was set.

Creeping away…

No one seemed to be about, but as we crept past a fishing boat a fisherman, looked, then nodded! It was a kindly breeze for a passage to Osea Island and into Lawling Creek. It remained that way until approaching Stansgate Point where the tide kind of essentially kept us going onwards. A gentle zephyr just about kept us on track.

A pair of terns were preening themselves on The Mayland buoy…

Once into Lawling a gentle breeze came back and we stowed the mainsail not wanting to be too early. Christobel looked at me with a quizzical expression as we closed the Manager’s floating home, marking our entry point … I nodded. She put fenders over and readied herself to drop the headsail.

Of course, I had the engine running…

Christobel looking back awaiting the nod…

The headsail slivered down as we entered past the heads … and Whimbrel slipped into her berth.

The week was to be dry (again) and I broke out a length of GRP fillet round Twitch’s centre board case. This was refilled giving it more body.

A few days later I came back to sand and paint. The dinghies gunnels were given their overcoating too: other areas were completed last autumn!

The repair.

So, the next weekend away is rushing up after a mixed few days of showery weather, but, still, very little rain has fallen in our parts. I don’t care: I plan to have an enjoyable time afloat with my mate…

Twitch awaiting all those who enjoy her!