Marconi Sailing Club
Membership open to all
Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th July 2010
Cruise to Heybridge Lock and Basin
TROPICAL HEYBRIDGE
There’s always a first time for everything. From our point of view there were two events which were new to us.
Surprisingly, perhaps, this was our first venture into Heybridge Basin. Hardly a major voyage but set against clear blue skies and the rare British heat wave it was a most enjoyable weekend and a chance to take to the water without layers of clothes and wet weather gear. Assembling at the lock at around 11.00 hours we were all through and safely moored in three shifts, the lock accommodating around six boats at a time.
Our moorings couldn’t have been better. Most of us were rafted just inside the lock whilst four others were left in the filled lock overnight.
After some refreshment we took to our tenders and made the trip to Tesco at Maldon. We had a few minor problems caused by outboard propellers being fouled by weed and I managed to run out of fuel. Thanks Roger for the tow, Maurice for the two stroke oil and Keith for the petrol. We all successfully made the trip to replenish stocks ready for the BBQ and have a much needed ice cream.
The BBQ area was immediately on hand, well prepared and ready for action. John BW got to work on his fire setting skills with the BBQ’s enabling us all to cook our grub and enjoy a warm summer’s evening in excellent company. Little did we know we were all in for a real treat. Roger, Varuna 11 and John BW serenaded us with a few blasts from the past on acoustic guitars which made the evening go with a swing. They were really good. Well done and keep it coming.
As the evening continued little did I know that I was about to encounter the second ‘first’. Having decamped to the pub I went outside and experienced a bit of a funny turn. I can’t explain quite what happened but fortunately Roger Camp was on hand. Roger was a diamond and called the paramedics. The upshot was that Cheryl and I were whisked off in an Ambulance and spent the next six hours at Broomfield Hospital. After a complete check-up including an ECG, I was given the ‘all clear’ and told I had probably suffered as a result of the head and dehydration. Our son James came and returned us to Shadowfax at 05.30 Sunday morning!
Returning to Stansgate was thankfully uneventful compared with the previous evening’s events. Still sunny and warm there was a reasonable south westerly breeze that enabled us to take a short reach home.
On behalf of the fleet I would like to thank John BW for organizing the trip and BBQ, Roger Camp for his quick thinking and everyone for their concern. Maybe this is a little reminder that I am not as young as I think I am. Next time I’ll cover up, keep my hat on and be a bit more sensible.
Mike Cutmore
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Page last updated: 02/08/2010 09:44:57