Salvation in Wells-next-the-Sea

Trip Start May 06, 2008
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Trip End Sep 30, 2008


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Flag of United Kingdom  ,
Monday, August 18, 2008

The night passed relatively quickly. We now had 20 - 25 knots of wind pretty much against us and the only sensible option was to motor sail with the stay'sl and main in use. Even so, in the early hours we were only managing 4 knots or so over the ground but we had until 21:00 or so to get to Lowestoft, our initial destination. There were a few interesting moments with large ships powering past or across us but nothing life - threatening. We neither of us had much sleep, me 30 minutes and Julie about 90, as the motion of the boat was such that we were being bounced around a fair bit. However, by 06:00 we were making real progress when I re-visited my decision to try for Lowestoft and concluded that it was not a viable option, as once again we would have a contrary current and wind when we 'rounded the corner' at top of Norfolk. That made Wells-next-the-Sea as the only other option and where we originally intended going after a night's sleep at Spurn Head. Now Wells is a lovely harbour with only one drawback, there is only, at best, 2 hours either side of high water available to get in, which according to me, we had to be on the way in by 09:30 to get to the harbour for 10:00, high tide being at 08:00 CW Leaning Against Pontoon in Wells, Tired
CW Leaning Against Pontoon in Wells, Tired
 . We had 17 miles to go but now had a positive current, so 6 knots should not be a problem. Having said that, it is NOT nice to try to go up a shallow river when the tide is ebbing, knowing that every minute that passes gives you less water.
 
We made it, just. We had 30 cms under the keel at times, too close for comfort. It was a great feeling to arrive, tie ourselves against the pontoon and know that we could now relax and get some sleep. First things first though, a shower and then a 'fried everything' breakfast in the Harbour café, just what the doctor ordered! We then slept for a few hours and woke up, with the cabin at a fairly extreme angle, as the tide had now fully receded and left us on the keel against the pontoon.
 
The rest of the reduced day was spent chatting to other yachties, shopping, having a pint in the 'Edinburgh', the recommended pub and then a salad back on board and bed.
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