SATURDAY
A steering Committee? |
David learns to drive! |
The weather lived down to expectations, so Jim decided that
we'd wait a while for it to abate. Away at about 11:15, we set course
down-river under foresail and three-quarters of the mainsail (in about a force
6 wind) with the intention of anchoring off Mersea and waiting for a further
improvement in the weather, then continuing in the hope of reaching
Brightlingsea.
Rain came again at about 12:45, but by 13:30 it was easing
off and the wind was dropping, so Jim decided not to anchor, but to press on
for a while. The further we go today, he said, the longer sail we'll have
tomorrow, when the weather is forecast to be considerably better.
Galley duty |
Lunchtime |
Up the River Colne |
We passed Brightlingsea and motored up the Colne, nearly to
Wivenhoe, then turned back and anchored off Brightlingsea at about 16:00. After
some discussion it was felt that the water would be calmer for the boat trip to
a pub if we left it until after supper, so Julie, Mark and I pitched into
cooking.
After supper a majority went off in the boat to a pub,
while Denise, Quita and I stayed on board playing cards and Jim practiced his
melodeon. When the others returned, hot drinks and gossip occupied us until one
by one we fell prey to exhaustion and crept off to our berths.
Julie on the bowline |
A lull in the proceedings |
SUNDAY
The skipper had called for a muster at 07:00 and the barge
was away before I (at least) had emerged from my sleeping bag. Allan and I
cooked breakfast, which was eaten in relays until something after 10:00, and I
finally emerged on deck at about 11:30. by which time we were off Bradwell and
beginning to tack up the Blackwater under full sail in a fairly light wind.
Down staysail! |
Jim encouraged just about everybody to take a turn at the
helm, as he had the previous day, and we were very impressed with his
abilities as a teacher as well as his skill in sailing the barge. We noticed
his determination to get the best possible speed out of the barge on each leg.
This is quite different to what I have encountered with some other skippers,
and is probably a relic of his days in trade when the ability to "steal" a
tide. or get ahead of another barge would increase the number of cargoes you
carried and hence boosted your income.
Jim & Mark |
Another steering committee |
The barge Xylonite was also tacking up-river and we
managed to pass her despite the fact that she is inherently faster than
Pudge since her "ironpot" hull is a lot lighter than our wooden one and
she carries a bowsprit and a lot more sail area.
Lunch was again eaten in relays while sailing, and the last
of us finished eating in time to come on deck to see & photograph the
barge's arrival in Maldon and to help moor her outboard of Centaur. Then
we cleared up, cleaned ship and set off for home, David giving Denise, Allan
& me a lift to Chelmsford station.
Arriving back at Maldon |
Kevin does some
running maintenance |
Everyone, the charter party, the
fugitives from Centaur and the Skipper and Mate, had enjoyed an
excellent weekend, with lots of sailing in a variety of conditions, and good
grub (though I say it myself). In particular I very much hope that I'll have
the pleasure again sometime of sailing with Jim Lawrence, a man full of the
lore and skills of the world of sailing barges.
My barge charter for 2001 took place a
bit earlier in the year, July 20-22.
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