A gentle shakedown

Left Tollesbury at 5 am. It was already light as we motored over the sill and down Woodrolfe Creek, past the lightship, but dawn did not break until we were in Mersea Quarters. The sky and cloudscape above East Mersea was amazing!

 Leaving the Nass Beacon behind for the last time in a while felt very sad!

The shake down trip to Brightlingsea revealed that we have an annoying problem with the Wickham Martin furling gear, but I'll let Julian explain that one!

We got to Brighlingsea before 10am, (pretty much low water) and the harbour master escorted us down to the far end of the pontoon. We told him that we draw 4'6", but he was sure we would be OK as he keeps his own boat, which draws 5' down there. We came to a halt 4' away from the pontoon at the stern! Not really a problem since the bow was in, and we would soon float, but not ideal.

We went ashore for breakfast at the Victoria Cafe, then bought a new lamp glass to replace the one that got broken last year. The rest of the day was pretty lazy for me!