Nichola / Sunny, light breeze
10/02/2011, River Roach to Brandy Hole, River Crouch; 9nm travelled

Emerald in her winter home

28th September
On a beautiful sunny day we up- anchored from the River Roach and headed off up the River Crouch on a rising tide for our last trip of the season. The batteries were still giving cause for concern so we kept the engine on in tick over rather than risk the engine not starting if we needed it. We were able to squeeze in one last sail as the breeze picked up to fill the genny to give a pleasant last few miles up the Crouch.

Colin weaved Emerald into the narrow, shallow passage between the mud islands; a temporary halt as we ran out of water on a corner. With a push from the workboat we were into the salting, nudged up to a gangplank and a bit of fiddling with lines got us into position. As the tide retreated, Emerald settled down into the mud with a slight list to port which we'll correct over the next few days.

And so begins the winter jobs!

2011: Around the UK

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Nichola / Sunny
09/26/2011, Osea Island to River Roach; 27nm travelled

Image: The River Roach at high water

25th September
Our batteries gave us cause for concern Sunday morning when the engine failed to start due to lack of juice in the house bank. Colin switched to the dedicated engine battery and after another worrying cough the engine fired into life. Due to this we decided to keep the engine on whilst we sailed but out of gear and in low revs to charge the batteries rather than risk the engine not starting if we needed it.

Sails up and with the light breeze we bimbled slowly up the River Blackwater, joining the many other boats enjoying a sail in the morning sun, the wind increasing to a F5 at times. Closer to the mouth of the Blackwater our course put us more close hauled and as we turned to starboard to cross the Spitway we were too close to the wind to sail across. Victor took over until the other side when we could sail again into the entrance of the river Crouch.

The tide was now flowing out of the Crouch and close hauled we were making only 2.5kts. We stuck with this for an hour or so before giving up. A few yachts around us carried on sailing tacking backwards and forwards across and beyond the edges of the Ron Channel and across the Buxey, some of them flying along on the fine edge of broaching, which looked fun but given we didn't know the area well we decided discretion was the better part of getting stuck on a sand bank on a falling tide so close to the end of our trip!

Even motoring we were only making 3.5kts against tide and the wind which picked up to a F7 almost on the nose - which is typical for us as we reach our destination. We upped the revs to avoid low water at the entrance to the River Roach where the channel narrows significantly. With the wind howling out of the Roach entrance and with 1 meter of spare water below the keel we pushed our way in. Reassuringly there were 2 other yachts anchored where we'd planned. The hook went in, the wind caught the bow and spun us around until the chain became taught and with what should have been a loud twang the bow came back round to the wind and we were in. There was a fair chop on the river and we skewed around a bit in the opposing tide and wind but we were well held.


The entrance to the River Roach at high water - I can see for miles and miles and miles and miles..........

2011: Around the UK

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Nichola / Dry and sunny
09/26/2011, River Orwell to River Blackwater (Osea Island); 41nm travelled

Image: Sunset in the Orwell

23rd September
We spent our 'can't be bothered to move' days doing some walking along the Orwell; down to Pin Mill to look at the barge village there - some very well kept some not far being just a rubbish dump. Up to Ipswich, under the Orwell bridge and being tempted by the gorgeous cakes at the Suffolk Food Hall, and down towards Shotley although we didn't get all the way there, it being further than we thought.

On Friday we got away, motoring down the river Orwell in the wake a large container ship until we picked up enough wind to sail as we reached the river mouth at Harwich. Tide was against us as was the wind so we decided to see how well we did tacking our way down the Wallet. We were making some ground but unfortunately not quick enough to allow us to be anchored at Osea in daylight so reluctantly it was on with Victor. We enviously watched the yachts who were able to keep sailing much closer to the wind than us but we'd rather have Emerald's live aboard comfort and heavy sea going ability than the higher pointing mass production boats.

Continuing down the Wallet the wind increased to F6 which wasn't forecast - afternoon breeze maybe? Across Priory Knoll keeping to the navigation buoys as it was close to LW. On down the Blackwater and arrived off Osea Island with an hour of daylight left. There were a couple of other boats anchored but still loads of space and we motored around checking out the depths before plumping for our spot. As we dropped the anchor a helicopter flew overhead discharging a load of whooping people in front of the Edwardian manor house on Osea Island before flying off again. Osea is owned by a record producer - Nigel Freida - and was until last year used as a drying out clinic for rich types and celebs (Amy Winehouse visited there so I guess they did make her to go rehab oh yes, yes, yes). The island is now open to the public and the mansion and a number of cottages can be hired out for holidays.

Boats at anchor off Osea Island

We spent two nights here - Colin got Emerald's hull cleaned of North Sea yellow and a muddy line along one side that we gained in Grimsby fish dock and we rowed over to the island for a quick walk around the beach. Due to the earliness of some of the Rugby World Cup games that weekend we got to see a beautiful sunrise, the sun burning through the mist as it rose to leave a warm, sunny day.

Sunrise in the River Blackwater

2011: Around the UK

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