Steve Rowley

I had planned a 3 night adventure, heading up to Walton Backwaters then the Orwell. But the weather gods haven’t cooperated so we had a lovely sail past Clacton and now we are spending the night at the head of Salcott Channel.

In a couple of weeks we’re off on a mini cruise and I want to take the dinghy so I can get ashore more easily so I decided we’d do a trial run. This was our first trip out of Tollesbury since our return. I started well when I wrapped the dinghy tow line round the prop! Anyhow the rest of the sail went well and we had a lovely time!

No sailing last weekend as we were at the Southampton Boatshow and visited longstanding friends on the south coast. It was brilliant to be back afloat and our last sail out of Bradwell. Sailed over the tide nearly abreast Brightlingsea then turned round and headed back in with the flood tide. Tiller Pilot steered all the way, I thought it had broken again but it came back to life. Light winds and full sail, a lovely trip! Now snugged up in Tollesbury again, our winter home.

Took the last of the ebb tide out towards Gunfleet Sands wind farm. Nice reach in fresh conditions which got stronger. As the tide turned we headed back in. Fine reach, not quite hard on the wind but still needed a heavily reefed genoa, both reefs in the main and reefed mizzen. Lou-Lou Belle felt nice and comfortable, rarely over pressed. Once we got abreast Bradwell the wind dropped so shook out the second reef in the main and rolled all the genoa out and mizzen. Carried on past Ross Revenge then ran back to the marina. Topped off a fantastic sail with some epic parking!

Lou-Lou Belle is back from Uncle Simon’s Drascombe Health Spa and is on top form! Brilliant to be back afloat again. Forecast was F4 gusting F6 but I don’t think we saw F6 gusts. Still there was enough wind and we were flying along. Reefed everything for the return leg into the wind and Lou-Lou Belle felt very comfortable. Once the tide turned against the wind a chop got up making it a wet ride. Did epic parking!

Early start and a beat along Mersea then up to Tollesbury. Variable conditions but a beat sail. The whole rally has been a blast! Great sailing and great people.

A blustery forecast prompted us to sail up the Colne under genoa and mizzen (plus a bit of motor) to Wivenhoe where we tied up to the sailing club pontoon for a brief coffee. By the way, I had Big Dave with me as we decided to only take 3 boats. On the way back to main went up and we short tacked back down the channel making good progress against the last of the flood tide. When we got back to Brightlingsea entrance Dave and I carried on as the wind freshened. We had a fun surf back in. Another fabulous day!

After Storm Floris suspended sailing for 2 days it was brilliant to get back afloat. Our destination was Brightlingsea, the wind was poor to begin with but filled in nicely. Wind over tide in the Brightlingsea channel and lots of boats made for an exciting approach! We’re now docked on an offshore pontoon, we can only get ashore by ferry, I’m rafted up to Big Dave.

After a smashing breakfast in the cockpit we set off for Mersea Island. Three of our boats which were ahead of me were involved in a MOB rescue! We then tied up on a pontoon for lunch. Once back in the Blackwater me and Lou-Lou Belle enjoyed an exciting beat past Ross Revenge in fresh conditions. She was going like a train! Cracking second day. Come home for the night, back tomorrow.