Lowestoft next stop

Trip Start May 06, 2008
1
106
130
Trip End Sep 30, 2008


Loading Map
Map your own trip!
Map Options
Show trip route
Hide lines
shadow

Flag of United Kingdom  , England,
Wednesday, August 20, 2008

I had calculated that the positive tide would commence about 07:30 but as we were up and about early thanks to the uncomfortable night's sleep, we set off at about 06:30. We had 56 miles to cover over the 6 hours of positive tide and the one additional hour we had pinched from the remainder of the ebb, which is an average speed of 8 knots. Initially, I was concerned, as we weren't registering more than 6 knots over the ground but when the tide changed, things improved somewhat. The wind developed during the morning, becoming an invigorating F5 by lunch time. As it was from the SW, and against the flow of the tide, it kicked up a sharp little chop but there was enough strength in the tidal stream to carry us through, so we weren't slowed down overmuch.
 
Passing down this part of the coast, one is made aware of the effects of coastal erosion and man's puny efforts to fight it. Groynes and walls abound, but still the small cliffs seem to be receding. Whether it's global warming or some other factor or indeed a combination, irrespective one still feels that we are living on borrowed time in this part of the world. Speaking of global warming and man's puny efforts, we then came across another piece of his folly (in my opinion) in the form of a large wind farm just North of Great Yarmouth on the Scroby Banks. As usual, a significant number of the things weren't operational, despite the wind.
 
We got to Lowestoft soon after the turn of the tide and got ourselves safely in to Hamilton Docks, where the new offshoot of the Lowestoft Haven Marina is situated. As we were setting the lines, we had a downpour of tropical dimensions, it simply poured down. Thankfully, our Musto waterproofs proved man enough for the task and we emerged at the end perfectly dry.
 
No sooner had the rain passed that we were joined by our old friend Rosemary Hurrell and her two grandchildren, Angus and Ben. They were to be staying with us for the next couple of days and it was to be the boys' first sailing experience in a large yacht. They had both sailed toppers and lasers and they were dying, as only young boys do, to get their hands on the wheel under sail. Under engine they'd done on a previous occasion 2 years ago, but this time it was going to be the real thing.
 
We weren't able to satisfy their impatience that evening as the tides were against us. Instead we strolled around Lowestoft, not an uplifting experience and back on board, had a great chicken & chorizo stew that Julie had prepared earlier.
Print this entry Lowestoft hotels