Plan A was scuppered. The dreaded Deben bar is too rough in a predicted Force 6. We would have to try again in the morning.
After struggling against adverse winds and tides during last year’s South Coast cruise we’d vowed that this year we would go with wind and tide whenever possible and see how far we could get in a week.
‘We’ being crew Jenny, a friend without a boat – but with many sea miles under her lifejacket and lots of qualifications – and me, owner of Maisie and 61 years sailing but few qualifications. In previous years our different skills had proved to be a good combination, especially for several trips across the North Sea to The Netherlands.
Maisie is a Nova 27, which I’ve fiddled and tinkered with for nearly the last 20 years, having lots of fun along the way. Currently, we keep her in Suffolk Yacht Harbour on the River Orwell just up from Felixstowe docks.
First river
So, plan B. Reading about the entrance to the River Deben is daunting stuff, you wouldn’t go within miles of it. However, having rung the excellent harbourmaster, John White, and done our research, we were confident about navigating through the entrance in anything up to Force 5 and in the two hours before high water.
Alarm 0430, check forecast, southwesterly Force 3-5, HW 0940… let’s go.
After motoring out of the Orwell past the docks we hadunexpected beach at The Rocks with early morning paddle boarders, ancient Methersgate Quay, and of course the delightful town of Woodbridge with marina boatyards and all facilities.
