The forecast bad weather was well on the way by today with winds of 6/7 expected later in the day. However the sheltered reaches of the Upper Crouch were quite safe to make the short passage up to West Wick Marina. We were due to be escorted from Burnham to West Wick by Tom Mawdesley, former owner of Lady Martina who keeps his current boat, also called Lady Martina, at West Wick. However, David became concerned having calculated that the highest water would be earlier in the morning, and, having last year been caught out cruising the Crouch estuary on a falling tide was not about to take the same risk.

Using the numerous waypoints we had calculated the night before we had no difficulty in reaching West Wick harbour entrance at high water but being much earlier than expected there was no answering call from either our friends or the harbour master and we had to make our entry alone across the drying approaches in Stow Creek. The ship's horn evenutally aroused attention and breakfast was interrupted as we were waved to one of the three best berths in the marina, one of the only ones that still has water at the lowest of spring tides. David drew praise for his inch perfect stern first approach, and many willing hands tied Lady Martina to the pontoon.

Over coffee we were able to share experiences of the boat and find out more about her early history, including the visit of Princess Anne for the marina's centenary celebrations. Tom's son Brian had also spent happy holidays onboard and was pleased to have the chance, along with his daughter Paige, to step aboard Lady Martina once again.

This was followed by a convivial evening at the Red Lion in Letchington, accompanied by Tom & Peggy, and three other couples from the West Wick marina crowd.

Cruising Statistics

Distance: 6.5nm

Total to date: 178 nm

Avg Speed: 6.5 knots

Duration: 1 hour

Diesel: 24 litres
(estimated)

Wind: S/SW 3-4