Thursday, 5 September 2013

Wells-next-the-sea


To continue from the Humber ....  up at 5 to tentatively peer out of my 'bedroom' hatch to check upon my whereabouts. Was it all a dream ? Probably not because, with a little dawn light, it became obvious why I couldn't see much on arrival. The Humber entrance is miles and miles wide and I was about a mile out from a flat shoreline; thankfully clear of the shipping lanes. The 'controller' was obviously correct and real. 

Shot out across The Wash and spent 8 hrs with not a thing to look at. I could hear the  RAF were busy practising dropping bombs and stuff in the Humber Practise Ranges so I needed to avoid that. If anyone reading this is a Syrian spy then, I guess, I may have given the game away. At some point it dawned on me that, to push on, against wind and tide, for several more hours, would not be clever. The waves were building and, crucially, as I was using the engine more than planned, wouldn't  have enough fuel to reach Lowestoft. I'd used up reserves yesterday and was extremely unlucky with the wind direction. I ended up diverting to Wells, the one place that most yachtsman avoid as a stop off. It is extremely shallow and can only be entered at certain times. The Harbour launch actually guides you in. Amazing what you do when you want to get off a boat. As luck would have it the place, in this weather at least, is stunning. Despite being keen to get on, I decided to take a day off. Hopefully, a good call. Now for the really good bit. I'm moored next to a classic Dutch sailing barge. She is 'The Albatros' and , apart from being a classic vessel she turned out to be 'a little bit more'


Her owner is something else ! Fabulous Dutchman called Tom. A right character and really  friendly and helpful. The pub is really popular for food and has live bands, 3 nights a week, down in the hold. Also does B & B ! 


 Folk band tomorrow so if weather closes in...........

A relaxing, lovely day and Im pleased to have crossed The Wash to Norfolk. This '7 in morning' clip was today when I moved from the commercial dock (last night) to the town (with a lovely name)
Hopefully off in the morning (Friday!)

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