Saturday morning saw 9 boats and 20 people assemble at Marconi sailing club for a little return trip to Burnham on Crouch.
A northerly F3/4 wind and fine conditions ensured a swift beam reach down the Blackwater. This was followed by a beaching at Brightlingsea’s Mersea Stone for a lunch stop whilst we awaited the tide to rise in the Thames – we were to cross the Ray sands drying channel no earlier than LW+2. A due southerly course took us across the sands and we picked up the flood up the Crouch and into to Burnham. Great early evening sail followed by a short paddle/row/motor into the yacht harbour. Lots of transferring people and gear between campsite and marina and then an evening meal in the Anchor hotel.
We woke to a similar forecast on Sunday morning, more movement of people and gear; for some a stop off at the local café for a full English. A northerly F3/4 in bright sunshine ensured a beam reach down the Crouch on the ebb, before once again crossing the sands and heading northwards; a two and a half hour close-hauled hack.
The welcome rounding into the Blackwater, followed by a quick lunch stop on a rapidly disappearing spit, and we were soon back at Marconi sailing club and saying our fond farewells.
54 miles in total, not bad at all.
