A report on the WCOA weekend cruise from Shotley, 12/13 May 2001

By Stephen Clampin

I had been looking forward to this weekend for a long time. After a wet and dismal winter that dragged endlessly on into May, I could scarcely believe the weather forecast: dry, warm and sunny. Wind E/NE 2 – 4. I needn’t have worried though. Dave Hewett, who was once again organising this years cruise at Shotley, had put the order in to ‘him up there’ some time ago!

Friday dawned bright and clear; it looked promising! Tentatively, I packed shorts, T-shirt and sun cream – usually the kiss of death for me where the sun is concerned… but just in case. I could almost hear a sigh of relief from W1318 as I removed her winter cover and I’m sure I actually saw her smile at the prospect of getting her bottom wet again! I too, was itching to get my first ‘fix’ of the season.

I was given Margaret Dye’s book "Dinghy Cruising" as a Christmas present. One of her recommendations was to make a checklist of everything to take when planning a cruise. Jolly glad I followed her advice – almost forgot the sails, which I’d stashed away in the loft. So, confident that we’d finally got everything, Cathy, my partner and crew hitched up and we set off for Shotley.

We arrived in the early evening sun to be greeted by Terry and Dave. Almost immediately, a cold beer was thrust into my hand. Starting as we mean to go on eh? Dave introduced us to WCOA chairman Ken Dickinson – so nice to chat with top brass! Got the boat rigged, had another beer, unpacked, had another beer! Around 8pm (sorry, 20.00hrs) we all strolled along to The Bristol Arms – for another beer… and supper. Great seafood here. Then it was on to Shotley sailing club for a night-cap and finally back to the bunks at the Lodge. Not the most comfortable bed I’ve ever slept in, but I didn’t care and tomorrow we were going sailing.

I awoke to the smell of bacon. Wow, everyone else was up! Threw on joggers and a sweatshirt and dashed downstairs. The sun was shining and there was a mountain of bacon sarnies on the table. Life was good!

After breakfast, Dave gave a detailed briefing on the plan for the day and Chris Neuman updated us on the weather forecast and tidal information. And so to the boats. As it was just about low water, we had to manoeuvre the launching trolleys down the long and rather slimy slipway. Things were further complicated by fifteen 505s which had arrived for an open meeting. However, no doubt inspired by the sunshine, everyone was in good spirits and through mutual help we were soon afloat. Our little flotilla then headed up river with the wind astern, while the 505s went off in the opposite direction.

The Stour is a very pretty estuary, yet strangely avoided by many "yotties". Most commercial shipping entering Harwich Harbour either docks at Felixtowe or is bound for Ipswich at the head of the Orwell estuary. So, it was in complete tranquillity that we enjoyed an easy run westward. We had arranged to stop for ‘elevenses’ at Wrabness beach, approximately halfway to our destination of Manningtree. And it was all to soon that we were weaving our way between the boats moored off our stopover point. Having dropped sail, we pulled our boats up onto the beach and cracked open the coffee and biscuits. There is no road that leads directly to this spot, the only access being via a rather steep footpath. So, no traffic noise or ‘trippers’ to spoil the peace. Real Swallows and Amazons stuff this! Back to the boats and onwards to Manningtree. We passed Mistley where the Channel sweeps close to the wharves where, in days gone by, the sailing barges would dock to unload their cargo. The channel then narrows and weaves towards Manningtree but is well buoyed. We arrived well before High Water, so the commodore of the Stour Sailing Club suggested that we anchor at the foot of the slipway and carried ashore what we needed for lunch. The clubhouse serves a good pint of Adnams, which we enjoyed while sitting on the steps of Manningtree beach whilst eating our lunch.

At this time, everyone’s attention was focussed on a flat-bottomed ‘home-made’ boat, with a windsurfer rig, sitting on the beach just below the High Water mark. Her intrepid skipper was making final preparations for his voyage. Evidently, he was planning to raise money for charity by sailing this 14-foot craft non-stop around Britain. I couldn’t help thinking that he’d be far safer and more likely to complete the trip in my Wanderer! As the tide crept forever closer, he was frantically riveting some last minute fittings to the hull while his assistant was sitting on the quay, ripping labels from tinned foods and writing the contents on the cans with a permanent marker. Bags of provisions, supplies and various bits of equipment were still lined up on the slip and we couldn’t help but think that this was a rather ill prepared venture! Indeed, it appeared that Dave had put more planning into our seven-mile hop from Shotley.

Just before HW it was time to head back. We gathered our belongings and walked round to the jetty where the SSC RIB would pick us up and ferry us out to the boats. While we were waiting, I gazed out at the eight Wanderers bobbing quietly at their anchors and couldn’t think of anywhere else I’d rather be.

It was going to be a beat all the way back. The wind had freshened a little and, against the ebb tide, would produce a bit of a chop. To make life easy, we put a reef in the main and donned waterproofs. Once underway, Cathy and I were sitting out, getting the occasional shower as we hit an awkward wave or two. But what fun it was. Back and forth across the estuary we tacked, measuring our progress against the other boats as we crossed. Sadly, the wind began to drop and we slowed up considerably. Time to shake out that reef. It was well worth it though and I was pleased how easy it was achieved with the ‘gooseneck-led reef lines’ modification I had made. As we neared Parkstone Quay, the HSS Sea Cat decided to put in an appearance. This fast cross-Channel ferry resembled a giant Lego block as she made her way towards her berth and we kept well clear as she turned in her own length to dock.

At Shotley slip, the crews of the first boats had already recovered to their launching trolleys and had kindly brought ours down too. That quite simply sums up the camaraderie that exists in the Wanderer class. We soon had all the boats back at the Lodge and were welcomed by Ken with a cup of tea and some chocolate cake. Things just get better and better…

After a shower and a change of clothing, it was off to The Queens Head, a short drive away at Erwarton, where Dave had booked us all in for a meal. I must admit that both Cathy and I felt absolutely shattered and were glad of the lift offered by Chris and Theresa. However, it had been a wonderful day and our faces were glowing from the sun. We later heard that the ‘Round Britain Sailor’ from Manningtree had hardly made 30 yards down stream when he crashed into a moored boat. Apparently he’d forgotten his centreplate! I think we probably slept better than he did that night.

Sunday was a little overcast with the forecast for a NE 1-2. Today the plan was to sail up to The Royal Harwich Yacht club on the Essex side of the River Orwell, have some lunch and, wind/time permitting, continue on to the Orwell bridge, which carries the A14 over the estuary. After a promising start, progress slowed as the wind almost died and we drifted up on the first of the flood. However, we were in no real hurry and we watched all the yachts pouring out from Suffolk Yacht Harbour at Levington and those motoring down from the Woolverston and Foxes marinas further up stream. Now, don’t get me wrong, I like ‘big boat’ cruising too, but I really questioned whether their owners were getting 10 times the enjoyment that we were, or whatever the extra cost is of running a 30 or 40 foot cruiser.

Before too long, we passed Pin Mill and followed Ken to the pontoons at RHYC. We tied up and made our way up to the magnificent lawns in front of the clubhouse. Here we sat on their sturdy wooden benches and ate our lunch. Dave advised that there would probably not be enough time to reach the Orwell bridge, as we needed to be back at Shotley by 4pm so that we could de-rig and vacate the Lodge by 6pm.

So it was that we set off once again towards Shotley. We kept close inshore, to avoid the worst of the tide, which was still rising, and enjoyed a very pleasant trip back in close company with Dave & Lorraine and Chris & Mary.

Once again, many hands made light work of getting the boats out of the water. Everyone busied themselves packing away sails, clothing and equipment and soon we were saying our goodbyes. It had been a superb weekend; everything went smoothly and we really couldn’t have asked for better. I’m sure I speak for everyone who attended in saying a huge ‘Thank You’ to Dave and Lorraine for all their hard work in organising the event.

So, come on all you Wanderer owners, check out the programme and try to make at least one cruise this year. You may not be as lucky with the weather as we were but you’ll find yourself in excellent company and maybe pick up some tips on how to improve your Wanderer. It will certainly beat mowing the lawn!!

Stephen Clampin.

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