Round the bend and up the creek.......

Having been enjoying the beauties of the River Deben, the forecast for Friday and Saturday started to mention nasty words like gales. So it was a check on the charts to see where would be a protected anchorage to wait out the bad weather. Then Robin remembered a magical spot that does not appear on any chart - Martlesham Creek..

Entering the creek is a challenge, following the bouys as they zigzag back and forth, but you see the sense of it as the tide goes out and mudbanks are exposed. But at the far end we were met by Mike on his launch who helped us pick up a fore and aft mooring, and made us welcome.

As well as a variety of small boats, a number of houseboats share this little bit of heaven. If the rain ever eases we might take the short trip ashore to the excellent pub eaterie close by, or go by bus to Woodbridge.

Meanwhile, here we are, sheltered from the worst of the weather, surrounded by swans gliding past, and a landscape worthy of Constable. Wine in the locker, food in the freezer, warm and cozy aboard Catabout. What more could we ask for?

Pyefleet

Saturday was a Diamond Jubilee Party, so we came over to Tollesbury on Sunday to meet the Ocado van with our week's supplies. Once everything was safely stowed, the wind and rain had started, so we retired to the cabin and settled to watch the Pageant on the BBC.(Mobile internet is very handy!) The coverage was disappointing - a bit like showing the FA Cup final by interviewing the crowd. A bit more about the boats would have been good.

A couple of other boat crews who had come down looking for a few days sail also gave up on going out and settled down the night, planning on trying on the next tide.

So Monday at high tide we set off  with the ebb , heading out of the Blackwater towards the sea. There were few other boats out on the water, and the gusty winds meant it was foresail only. As this was our first proper sail of the season, Robin took us to the Pyefleet Channel opposite Brightlingsea to anchor for the night.

It turned out an excellent choice, as we had a superb view of the town Jubilee fireworks. Then we settled in to the utter peace and tranquility of the Pyefleet for the night.

East Coast Rivers

The weather at the Thames Jubilee Pageant should give you some idea of what it is like.

We had planned to take this week off to do a little gentle cruising around the East Anglian rivers, and the weekend before was glorious, so it was with mounting anticipation we looked forward to spending time in our favourite cruising grounds.

For those who have never been, spend a liitle google time looking at the Blackwater, Deben, Ore, Stour, Colne, Medway etc and dream. Access to some can be challenging - you have to get your timing right (see Eastcoastrivers ) - but the effort is repaid a thousand fold.

But I should have known better on the packing front. Definitely a triumph of hope over experience.