Walton - not!

The weather looked pretty perfect for the weekend and we decided it would be nice to get to Walton backwaters, having missed it on both the August Classics cruises. Unfortunately I came down with the cold Alison had had during the holiday and it knocked me flat on Saturday. I felt well enough on Sunday to try for it.

The day started dull at home but was much nicer on the way and at Shotley. We set off around 11am and headed out towards Pye End. We had forgotten the Chart Plotter and decided this was a really good idea. Its too easy to become dependent on them and its a very different mindset sailing without one. More the kind of mindset that is the reason we sail.

I used my memory of the President's Race to work out which of the other boats were heading for Walton but finding the buoy was not so easy. We thought we had it then Alison spotted we were almost on it!

Just like the previous week, the wind veered around Pye End. I'm sure just a coincidence and not a local happenstance. Unfortunately that mean't it was now on the nose for going along the buoyed channel towards Hamford Water. The channel is narrow and not really suitable for beating up, particularly on one's first attempt. The cloud had built-up again and it was a bit cold and I was feeling fragile enough to want to call it a day.

As soon as we turned onto a run everything got much nicer. The tide was turning and we lost the swell and with the reduced wind chill it got quite warm. Back on the berth by 13:30 we still felt we had had a worthwhile sail. We had lunch in the Shipwreck and I had a sleep in the cabin while Alison put Robinetta to bed.

Not likely to sail next weekend as I'm in Amsterdam Friday and Saturday. The following weekend is the start of Alex's University term so we will be in Wales, so I was glad to get out today.