What an EPIC day!

Steve Rowley

After a cheeky Greggs breakfast we were quickly motoring away from Woolverstone Marina. I decided not to sail down the Orwell as the wind was light and there was nearly 2 knots of tide running against us. But once we were abreast the Felixstowe container terminal up went full sail to see if we could get out of the entrance. But with wind and tide against us, and time marching on, the genoa was rolled away and the main dropped, we motored through a bit of a chop. As soon as we could head northwards the sails went back up. A very broad reach, slightly gusty wind and a quartering sea meant the Tiller Pilot was struggling so I hand steered. The conditions probably warranted a reef but Lou-Lou Belle was enjoying the occasional surf and being nudged up the bum by Baby Belle who was also trying her hand at surfing. After a gybe we were heading into the Deben entrance which has a notorious reputation. The safe water buoy was easily spotted followed but three channel markers and we were in the Deben! We may not have passed the correct side of two of the buoys but as it was nearly high water it didn’t matter. The Deben is a beautiful river and we enjoyed all the twists and turns up to Waldringfield. I phoned the boatyard and Donna explained which buoy I should pick up. Lou-Lou Belle is now snug in her new temporary home and we are both basking in the glow of a job well done!