Marconi Sailing Club
Membership open to all
2008 Heybridge Cruise - Watercress Run
Saturday / Sunday / Monday 21 to 23 June 2008
About half those intending to go on the cruise to Heybridge met in the Mamgu bar on the Friday evening. This turned out to be a celebration for Derek Gardner, the cruiser fleet captain who had retired that day as well. Well done to Hilary who provided the celebratory cake.
Saturday dawned, grey, overcast and distinctly damp. The remaining boat crews arrived by midday as the weather began to improve and the sunshine broke through. By now twenty one boats of the original twenty three had arrived, Peace and Iolanthe having had to cancel due to other commitments.
As twelve thirty approached boats began to leave their moorings on the way to locking in at Heybridge starting at 1400hrs. C’est Moi led the first tranche of boats into the lock, I believe with a heart stopping moment as the boat came to a halt outside the lock. Others followed but an unscheduled entry by another boat disrupted the steady flow. This unfortunately resulted in Cariad coming into contact with the stern of Esme. Later the second locking went ahead again with an interloper. To be fair both these boats had tried calling the lock but the lock keeper’s radio was suffering from a fault.
Shortly after everyone was in, the sound of outboard engines could be heard as some set of for supplies from Tesco, and possibly even into the hinterland at Beeleigh Weir.
1900hrs saw smoke arising from the food being cremated on the BBQs mainly by the male species from the crews; I often wonder why the male only seems to cook at BBQs. The Cruiser Fleet Captain estimated the 54 or more people attended. Later around 2130hrs as the evening cooled, some retired to their boats and others to the Old Ship.
Sunday morning dawned bright but with increasing wind as the Inshore forecast started to predict SW 6 to 7 with occasional 8 winds. While the day was hot and bright, one could not help but notice the howl in the rigging. By 1430 as the time approached to lock out, it was apparent that only 9 boats would be returning to the Club with 12 remaining overnight at Heybridge. Under the direction of Martin and Colin, the lock keepers, with the wind now gusting up to 30 knots straight down the canal, the crews manoeuvred boats around to release the nine and re-arrange those remaining so that Evenstar and Killara 11 were alongside as they would be left until Friday or Saturday. This was done in the normal Marconi spirit of co-operation, good seamanship and light hearted banter that we all enjoy. There was one complicating factor and that was Vida Loca and Suruca had been in the lock overnight. Whilst Vida Loca had opted to return to the Club, Suruca was staying so with Murray Bates help left the lock to allow the others out. Unfortunately due to the boat ahead, Suruca lost steerage way on leaving the lock and ploughed an impressive trail through the mud as could be seem at low water.
Many of those remaining listened on the VHF waiting to hear of the safe return to the Club of the others. Eventually we heard that Rubicon had problems picking up the mooring due to the conditions and had sunk her tender in the process, and Fraise Du Bois lost her boat hook. Southern Hey retrieved the oars lost from Rubicon’s dinghy and later with the help of Lewis from Nimrod, Derek from C’ est Moi and Roger from Southern Hey the dinghy was righted and all was well, although John obviously suffered a few heart stopping moments.
Sunday evening saw some decide to try the food at the Old Ship which was very good, I can recommend the Garlic & Herb Salmon with new potatoes and salad. One or two of the party decided that they could not manage a sweet but were seen to grasp forks ready to remove part of the Sticky Toffee Pudding that others had ordered.
One or two were awoken at 0400hrs on Monday morning as a sixty six footer (seventy five with bowsprit extended) manoeuvred away from the wall, turned and left through the lock.
Later we awoke to blue sky, dying wind and increasingly hot day. At 1500 the first boats moved into the lock to leave for the Club. On exiting the lock, Esme, Twiga and Trumpeter hoisted sail and settled down for the leisurely drift with the tide in glorious sunshine back to the Club, others motored on passed. As we approached the top of Osea Island a breeze came up, settling into the south. We tacked in behind Osea, back across towards Maylandsea and finally back to the Club as the breeze strengthen to the top end of a four giving a very pleasant end to an enjoyable weekend.
As you will be aware from my notes for the trip, I have decided to step down from organising it next year. I very much hope that someone at the Fleet AGM will step forward and offer to organise it next year. I thank all who took part for a friendly, and enjoyable weekend showing the usual fleet spirit when conditions on Sunday forced a change of plans.
Those taking part who returned on Sunday:- C’est Moi, Southern Hey, Dreamer, Reflection, Nimrod, Fraise du Bois, Rubicon, West Marie and Vida Loca.
Those taking part who returned on Monday:- Serupin11, Green Panther, Shell Seeker, Esme, Cariad, Trumpeter, Charlotte, Icarus, Twiga and Suruca.
Those taking part who due to work commitments will return later in the week:- Killara11 and Evenstar.
Report by Neil Pembleton
Page last updated: 6/24/2008 3:10:49 PM