Marconi Sailing Club
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2009 Heybridge Cruise - By Lewis Smith
2009 Heybridge Cruise From Nimrod
Although this is the shortest of the planned club cruises it is one of our favourites'. You have a short sail, the novelty of locking in, a BBQ and time to relax knowing you cant go anywhere until the next high tide. It is a great opportunity for Wives, families and friends that don’t normally sail joining various crews at Heybridge to enjoy the day and evening.
The weekend for some started in the bar on Friday night, with a few of us sleeping on board because of the early start the next morning. The forecast for the weekend sounded a bit grim, but once you are safely in the basin, the weather can do what it wants. So a fleet of boats set of from the club at around 8:30 with all of us choosing to motor the short distance, mainly because we were not awake enough to contemplate raising the sails and that the wind was on the nose. We arrived at the basin well on time and milled around waiting for the lock to open. I think we should get the birthing for free, as we provide the entertainment for the onlookers whilst locking in. The new lock keeper Martin, as his predecessor sees it as a competition to see how many boats he can fit into the lock, it must be in the job description.
We were all locked in by 11:30, 14 club boats in total. With most of us mooring to the left of the lock and about five boats actually in the lock. New member Lee and his friends on Veriltion thought they were in heaven , as they were moored just outside of the pub. Even they could stagger that far. I think Heybridge Basin is one of Essex's best keep secrets and we are so lucky to have it nearby. The rest of the day was spent relaxing with some crews opting to use there tenders to get provisions or just explore the canal. Derek on Verus Amica was lucky enough to see an otter. Jane and I chose to go for a lovely walk along the sea wall towards Maldon and back up the canal footpath.
Early evening John, Neil and Roger "The Flame" Camp got the BBQs going, and we then enjoyed and relaxing evening consuming food, and drink and discussing sailing trips of past and future. On Sunday morning there was a few sore heads.
We had to clear our heads by 11:00am when we started locking out. After high winds for the last two visits this year there was no wind, so a slow drift back to the club or motor.
Two boats , Tahiti and Seuruca stayed another night, lucky devils.
As the lock keeper said as we motored out of the lock "See you next year"
Boats that made the epic voyage :-
Rubicon, Tahiti, Verilition, Verus Amica, Seuruca, Twigga, Trumpeter, Charlotte, Nimrod
Shell Seeker, Chemma, Southern Hey, Serupin 2, Seabrume
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Page last updated: 10/08/2009 19:49:05