Shotley and Nightingales

The winds were forecast to be quite stiff, so we decided to put on the smaller ( 105% ) genoa, which was a good thing on reflection. After taking the dinghy ashore to post cards and pick up a few more bits & pieces, we finally left the mooring at 13-03 and motored hard towards the entrance into the strong current, making 3.5 - 5 knots. Once clear of the bar, a course was set for the Woodbridge Haven FWB, and then on to cross the Felixstowe approach channel, and pick up the yacht track into Harwich harbour. The wind built up as we progressed with 30kts apparent showing at one point - so a proper vigorous sail - the first of the journey so far.

Shotley Marina is on a small peninsular between the rivers Orwell, and Stour. It is a very modern, clean place which we liked very much, the natives were also very friendly ! Nightingales were reported to sing in the woods behind Shotley, so two nights were booked, to give us the chance to do some laundry, and have a walk in the evening. In the event there was no sign ( or sound ! ) of the elusive birds while we walked, but at one o'clock in the morning they were in full song, and continued for the rest of the night.

During our evening walk, we saw a few interesting nautical manoeuvres with large ships in close proximity, and this David and Goliath situation - power gives way to sail ? I don't think so !!

There seem to be so many places to explore in this area that you could spend a whole summer delving into every nook and cranny, so we decided to log this for a future visit, when we could do it justice, and push on across the Thames to Ramsgate. We left the lock at 09-10, and headed out to navigate the banks and gats of the Thames estuary.