These two ‘old girls’ were found whilst taking my mother around some old haunts and then on another day into a well known ‘garden centre’ (come general store…) in South Essex.

The first, in Leigh-on-Sea, looked decidedly like a Walker Dinghy – mahogany clinker in structure and sad looking indeed. She had a name plate with Swatch on it. I felt that the other half with ‘Way’ on it had fallen off… Shame.

Two views of this clearly abandoned sailing dinghy… She is on the slip by Mike’s Boatyard in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex.

The second craft shown was found in a garden centre, clearly depicting what you can do to create a feature. A badge on the bow proudly displayed her as once belonging to a Sea Cadet Group, who, have used and abused the little thing until another (probably) has been purchased… Given a modicum of TLCA, she looked as if there were many sea miles left in her yet…

A similar sized craft, but constructed in GRP.

I suppose, at least, this one has found a good use for herself … but I’m left wondering about the other…