Still Windy

At the beginning of last night's Pin Mill barbeque, the Pete's had been hopeful of running two races today and we'd worried we'd be late because of picking Amy up from the station at Ipswich. By the time we had the briefing the latest forecast was predicting wind force 6 or 7 so everything was cancelled again. We just needed to get round to Suffolk Yacht Harbour for the evening. Recommended we be there by 15:00.

Amy turned up at Ipswich 5 minutes early after a train/bus/train trip from London. The weather forecast was not too bad so we decided to try a short sail up the Stour. We got the boat ready in a leisurely manner and slipped from the pontoon just after 11:30. A big bermudan stole our position on the fuel dock so we did't get into the lock until noon. Took on 9.47 litres of diesel.

We reefed the main right down and left the jib furled. The wind felt really strong but the sea state was slight and we beat up the Stour in a very gentle manner. I felt Robinetta wanted a bit more canvas. Passed Gwenilly coming back down. Quite a few boats were out. I suggested we do the seamanship challenges (man overboard and leaving a mooring under sail) but the skipper decided not.

We turned round onto a run by the Erwarton cardinal (blank looks from Neil and Mike when we described this to them at Levington afterwards but they were just taking the mick of our lack of local pronunciation skills - Mike says "Urten").

Rounded the Shotley Horse onto a smashing reach and had a fun ride into the Orwell. Heard boats being turned away by Suffolk Yacht Harbour - "Sorry we're full of old gaffers tonight". Quite surprised to be given a huge pontoon berth to ourselves - presumably because we had our names down quite early. Lee shore though - needed a bit of reverse to keep station whilst we tied up. On the pontoon around 15:00. Hate the metal "staples" they have on the pontoons instead of proper cleats.

Big party on Transcur and surrounding boats to drink all the booze we should have had at the Stone Point and Wrabness barbecues - not really a tough job for the gaffers. Plan is to do the short course for the Presidents race in the morning.

Walked up to the pub at Levington for dinner - really great food.

Music session around Reverie when we got back. Mike doing great stuff on his banjo - really good to hear him again, not sure we've heard him since the RHS Rally in 2008. Keith from Maryl also doing lovely things on the guitar and Pete & Sarah with some songs. I gave them Fred Wedlock's "Early one Evening" with impromtu banjo accompaniment. Went OK.