Sunday 21 April 2013

Down the Blackwater in company

Waking up with a hangover is not my idea of fun, but at least it's not a migraine!

The lock staff moved us forward in the lock using ropes, and then four other boats crowded in with us. Mary Ritchie, Bonify, Witch, and a bermudan sloop all wanted to leave, and given it was neaps, with high pressure, there was no chance for a second lock out; everyone had to come in at once.

I ended up holding onto Mary Richie's bowsprit along side Robinetta so Witch could crowd into the lock behind Mary Richie. I'm glad Robinetta's bowsprit can be reeved easily! I was talking to Alastair off Witch, and he says it takes half an hour, and a work boat, to get Witch's in!

Julian got some bunting up, and I chatted to people who had come to watch the departure. Given it was only 0900, and there had been much drinking the might before, there were a lot of people there. Not just OGA, but readers of the Yachting Press. Sue Lewis's publicity machine is in high gear, and Dan Houston, editor of Classic Boat was there with a photographer. The the East Anglian Daily Times, The Maldon and Burnham Standard and the Essex Chronicle were also there. A lovely little gunter dingy also came to wish the circumnavigators well. The crew said they were bringing a boat to Cowes in August.

We led the way out of the lock. I had had a good look at the channel out at low water, and we reached safe water without problem. Unfortunately Mary Ritchie behind us was forced into slightly too wide a track by the other boats and went aground. We turned back to see if we could help, but luckily a work boat came out and pulled them off before we got there.
There was a fair bit of jilling about while the boats with main sails got them up. The RNLI turned up, as OGA 50 is raising money for them on the way round.

We set off down river with the boats, trying to stay out of shot for the Classic Boat photographers, with Julian working hard as "official photographer" for Eastcoaster. There was not enough wind to sail, but at Osea Island the other boats got their foresails out and posed with the RNLI rib. There should be some great shots for Classic Boat and Julian got good ones too; he posted some on the East Coast Old Gaffers facebook page.

After Osea the foresails got furled away, the RNLI and Classic Boat left, and the engines revs went up. Robinetta was soon left behind as Bonify, Witch, and Mary Ritchie set off to make passage.

There were still interesting things to look at in the Blackwater though. We passed closer than felt comfortable to an event I never knew existed. Water Ski racing looks like an exciting sport, if you like noise!



We headed straight back to our mooring after that. The wind was getting up, enough to sail if we'd had any, and although lots of cups of tea had taken care of my hangover I could feel a nasty cold coming on. It was time to go home after a fun weekend away.

No comments: