S.O.I.A. Anglia Group newsletter - October 2004

 

Greetings, Brother Boaters and Sister Sailors,

 

Well, there’s been plenty of wind… Sadly, Sula sits in the garden catching golden leaves on her yellow cover. I have to confess to a little fantasy when hanging the sheets on the line that I am listening to flapping sails that then fill with the breeze, and the washing basket starts to surge forward with musical ripples under its wicker…. Sad, isn’t it?

 

We did hope to have a swan-song sail with shipmates a couple of weekends ago but Brian’s work commitments prevented us. However, Mike Atkins and Bob Legg were able to get away together on Bob’s Snapdragon 24 ‘Magic Dragon’, and had a good time, as the accompanying log will testify.

 

The Orroms have also been on the water in their SIV Evergreen.  They set out to circumnavigate Sheppey Island with other boats from their local sailing club, also carrying out research with a view to a future Silhouette rally. (Howard’s account of the trip is over the page.)

 

Other members are interested in sailing on the Thames – Bob Dyer came up with several suggestions for Thames Estuary sailing in a recent e-mail. Can’t reproduce it here because the kind man who sorted out my computer lost all my stored e-mails – obviously didn’t understand about newsletter writing.

 

Barbara Heald, the national secretary, wrote a letter enquiring as to why our rallies attract so many boats, while the number of boats attending the national rally at Plymouth is in steady decline. Any comments?

 

It could be to do with our more central location, the times of year we sail (i.e. not August), the fact that there is no need for commitment – you can decide at the last minute – and our rallies tend to be inexpensive, especially when the whole fleet manages not to buy a Broads Licence!! Add to that a variety of interesting locations, carefully selected hostelries, lots of spontaneity and of course the incomparable company, and Bob Legg’s your uncle. (Actually he’s going to be a Grandad)

 

THE LAST MEETING… was the usual cordial affair, but we didn’t arrive by sea as we had hoped we might, due to a scary forecast. and that work thing again. Mike Atkins had been afloat, however, as a little thing like a bad forecast wasn’t going to keep him away; it wasn’t that bad after all, and he’d had a very quiet night.

 

CASUALTIES… Those of you who know Audrey, who provided our Christmas meal at OYC until she fractured her thigh, will be glad to know that she was about to go into a London hospital to have a hip replacement and some rebuilding work done on her leg. She had been in a lot of pain for a couple of years so fingers crossed that next time we see her she will be mobile again.

 

Same hopes and good wishes apply to Tony Eden, now with two new ankles and terrorising the land by wheelchair and electric buggy, or so his friends say!  He may be on his feet by now – or soon. Bet Jan’s been spoiling him rotten!

 

NEXT MEETING at the Orwell Yacht Club – 13th November, 8pm.

 

IMPORTANT DATES – Our post Christmas meal could be a repeat of last year unless anyone has any better ideas. Would 8th January at the Butt and Oyster suit? If not, shout. It’s just an idea at the moment!

 
From Howard Orrom:
 

“Didn't manage a complete circumnavigation - the wind dictated otherwise.

 

Left Strood approx 6pm Friday and motored all the way to Harty Ferry – about 4.5hrs.  Just 2 boats at this time - I followed Laurie's nav lights because he knows the area backwards.  The Kingsferry bridge was raised to let us through after about 15 mins of waiting. (It carries the road and railway track and lifts vertically on four columns.)  Laurie touched bottom a couple of times - he draws about 4 inches more than Evergreen - but I diligently followed his track and didn't feel a thing.  He picked up a Ferry Inn buoy at Harty Ferry and as it was calm I rafted up alongside.  What a joy to turn off the engine!

 

Saturday was bright and not too breezy so we left Evergreen on the buoy and used Red Pepper (a Signet 20) for some sailing and mooring exercises for the benefit of friends Derek and Jan who are about to complete the purchase of their first boat.  I learned a few tricks too including what Laurie calls 'ferry walking' - using engine against tide to move boat sideways on and off a pontoon. Useful for confined spaces. 

 

When we'd had enough of that, we took the dinghy to the old ferry causeway and wandered around the area for an hour or so - nice walk to an ancient church where home-made pickles etc were on sale for church funds.

 

 Hilary was arriving by road to join me for the return journey - and called to say she was in sight of water but had a puncture.  Fortunately she was only 15 mins walk away. I put the little 'space-saver' spare wheel on - and the flat tyre in the passenger seat (not a lot of room in an MR2 for big wheels) - and she continued down the last few hundred yards to the Ferry Inn.  We had an excellent meal - Alan's LM27 had joined us by now so there were 7 of us.  Dinghy back to the LM27 for nightcaps then back to Evergreen for the night - a very noisy and bouncy night.

 

In the morning it was decided that the wind would be right on the nose most of the time if we continued with our anti-clockwise circumnavigation – and 5/6 was forecast.  So we retraced our Friday night journey enabling us to see the shores this time.  At the Kingsferry Bridge we were asked to wait for a 'commercial' - an enormous freighter that barely squeezed between the bridge piers - and follow him through.  Whether it was the tide funnelling through the bridge or the freighter's turbulence I don't know - but it was a struggle to get past the bridge.  Traffic was queued both sides as far as the eye could see by the time we were through.

 

From here we were able to sail the West Swale to Queenborough and into the mouth of the Medway.  Now blowing about 6 against the tide and right on the nose so it was back to the Honda - there was so much water coming over the bow I had trouble keeping my eyes open long enough to see where we were going.  All that our friends could see was our mast sticking out of the water.

 

After an hour - into more sheltered waters - it calmed down a bit and we could enjoy the scenery and put the sails back up.  Couldn't compete against those Wayfarers that were racing all over the place!  At Hoo Ness the tiller went all peculiar – as though there was about 90 degrees of play between rudder and shaft.  A trifle disconcerting as we still had to make it through Rochester Bridge against the tide.  Just below the bridge is Strood Pier where I was able to try out my 'Colin Robinson-style' mast lowering from the cockpit.  We'd probably have got under OK but I just dipped it about 45degrees to make sure. 

 

I used the engine for primary steering for the last quarter mile round to the pontoon then we all opened up the clubhouse and had a makeshift meal.  A very enjoyable weekend even though we didn't get all the way round and the motoring to sailing ratio was a bit high.

 

For a Silhouette long-weekend I've been recommended to launch at Queenborough - but I'll check out alternatives, costs and trailer-parking facilities.  The Harty Ferry area has a number of little creeks to explore  and pubs to try out - as well as Faversham Creek and, quite close by, Whitstable.  A few dinghies will be necessary (preferably with outboards).

 

The 'new' trailer just needs a few more bits and pieces before I can retrieve Evergreen - then we'll see what the rudder problem is. Roll on 2005 - but hope we see everyone at the Christmas bash if not sooner at Orwell Yacht Club.                                                         

 

Regards to all,   Hilary and Howard.”

 

 
INCLUDED – Bob Legg’s account of his sail with Mike Atkins
 
LAST GASP – Heartfelt thanks for contributions. Got a backlog now!
                          
             Best Wishes
                                                                
             Elizabeth Letzer,   October 2004