Backwater secrets

Nick Ardley is an author who has cruised extensively on the East Coast’s rivers and harbours

Shortening the anchor cable, I called, ‘Come on, tide waits for no man…’ We’d bustled into Landermere Creek the previous afternoon to enjoy a tranquil night beyond Skipper’s Island. Its serenity is perfect during blows and calms alike. Arriving at highwater an impressionist-like haze of purple sea lavender greeted us. Deep saline scents mixed with those from land.

I’ve meandered these creeks over many years in both my Finesse 24, , and my sailing tender. Amongst the cord grass-infested Skipper’s Island underbelly sits the; surely, she was Ransome’s hulk in . Whilst ‘drifting’ amongst the southern tributaries I found two abandoned farm docks, unnoticeable from the land. Beaumont Quay has been visited too.