This year we are taking advantage of an early holiday due to the university term ending and GCSEs being completed. We are hoping the places we visit this year will not be quite as busy since normal school term time has not yet ended...fingers crossed!
After a reasonable early start we penned out of Ocean Lock with Exol Pride, CRT's Gawburn and two other cruisers. As soon as it was safe to do so we opened up and planed all the way to Grimsby on glassy waters under a cloud leaden sky, which was rather refreshing after the hot weather of late. We overtook Peter's dad's boat 'Crambeck' at the Humber Power Intake on route to Scarborough, unfortunately we couldn't get many photos due to two inward tugs making a massive wash.
Logged 39.3 nautical miles
Day 2. Grimsby to Lowestoft
After departing Grimsby Fish Dock at 08.47, we had an enjoyable run down to Cromer with a gentle north easterly swell. Just past Cromer a fresh SE f4 breeze got up along the coast, and with wind over tide this made slightly uncomfortable short sharp seas, we had to reduce Moonshine's speed to give us a better run. The seas were a bit smoother past the Cockle, so we increased her speed once again whilst gaining help from the tide. After a slight baptism of fire with the choppy seas considering it was the first sea trip of the year, we made Lowestoft at 13.15. Our longest leg of the journey now under our belt, we can relax until heading further south on Saturday.
Logged 98.2 nautical miles
Day 3. Lowestoft
A slightly cooler but still a warm day today, we spent a relaxing day in port. It's certainly made a difference having our holiday earlier this year out of term time, as the moorings are noticeably quieter along with the sea front not being overrun with tourists.
Day 4. Lowestoft to Ipswich
Whilst constantly monitoring the weather and wind direction, we were undecided where to head next. At the moment the winds are moving to the north mid week and we didn't want to be stuck in Ramsgate if indeed that was to be our next destination. We therefore agreed Ipswich was a good alternative, as there is a lot to go at on these East Coast Rivers once below Harwich whilst not being far out to sea.
After departing Lowestoft there was still a bit of ground swell running from the north east, but once we rounded Orford Ness it was considerably smoother in Hollesley Bay. We came off the plane at Harwich break water, and had a steady 6knot run up to Ipswich with a flood tide, there were no shipping movements as it wasn't that long after low water. Once we had gotten more inland it became very hot, and upon entering Ipswich we could hear the occasional roar whenever England scored a goal beating Sweden in the World Cup, not surprisingly all the quay side bars and pubs were heaving. We will stay here for a few nights before hopefully heading down to Woolverstone if they can accommodate us. It feels like we have been on holiday for ages, and we still have another two full weeks...let's hope the weather stays kind for us.
Logged 49.8 nautical miles
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