Ipswich

We left Lowestoft for the second time at 07.45 on Monday, 30th July. Although we knew we would be punching the tide, and have to head towards Harwich instead of the Deben due to tide, we figured we woud try to move before the clouds built up. The wind was still from the South West, probably backing South later.

We had a tight fetch for the first 20 miles, with the wind up and down under the building clouds, meaning first one, then two, then one, then no reefs, and the same again for the whole trip. Reefs in and out.

Rounding Orwell Ness lighthouse, we had to start beating, and having decided to take the inside passage, were tacking within a few metres of the shingle beach (a bit like Chessil). The wind was still increasing to force 6 and dropping under clouds to about 2 to 3.

With Tom on board we had the best sail of the trip, with sails being trimmed all the time to get the best speed. We eventually crossed the traffic separation scheme off Harrich around 16.00 when the chartplotter went blank. It had done this a couple of times in the previous legs, but this time didn't come back.

We checked into Suffolk Yacht Haven at 18.30 where our friend Geoff Sinton, from Cadet days, drove over from Woodbridge, where we went back for a glass of champagne and supper in the pub where we met another old friend from Cadets, Anthony Mason. He had just returned from a three and a half year trip to the Caribean. Geoff had just returned from a trip to the West coast where his boat and team won the Tilman prize, and second overall (despite being a smaller boat than the winner), in the three peaks race.

We have now moved up to Ipswich where there are better facilities since we will have to stay a few days as the weather A boat previously owned by our friend Robin Long, and on which I had many happy sailing days, helped by copious quantities of great wine and beer.