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Nick Ardley has sailed the Thames estuary for years as a child and adult. Since 1980, first from a club no longer operating from Tewkes Creek, Canvey Island, and then from the Island Yacht Club, where he was a member for forty years. After renewed bullying from club officials, it was decided to remove Whimbrel to the River Blackwater during 2023. The new base is now being enjoyed by both skipper and mate as a central ‘east coast harbour’ for going whichever way.

He enjoys his coastal hops immensely, but, it is the rivers and creeks themselves that causes a welling up of a magic within him: so much history abounds around the edges of those waters where much has disappeared. Often, the many waterside industries have left little trace, yet, although some rest in living memory they are now largely forgotten by most.

Nick picks up on some of this and other more distant snippets of historical and topographical interest, weaving them into the web of his tales of sailing the magical ditches within the estuary, his mate at his side listening…

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