Off at last! After months of preparation and what seemed like weeks of packing and loading we finally got underway today for our 2005 summer cruise. We had been diligently watching the weather as usual and had narrowed down the fine weather window to Wednesday or Thursday, so were bound for Oulton Broad where we would rendezvous with fellow BOC and CA members Virginia Lady and TimChris. A stiff northerly breeze accompanied our cruise down to Great Yarmouth and we were only grateful that the forecast showers turned out to be sunny intervals and we could get under Acle and the Vauxhall bridges whilst remaining dry. We deferred putting the mast back up until we had got across Breydon water and moored up at the Berney Arms where we took advantage of a fine evening to carry out some impromptu maintenance on our folding windscreens. We didn't expect we would need them again, and we wanted the best possible seal for our long sea passage.

It was 7pm by the time the skipper was satisfied with the result so we decided to call it a night and, after enthusiastic canvassing from both the chef and the landlord, opted to join the two other boat crews dining in the pub. The following day we enjoyed (or endured) 15 knot winds and frequent showers as we completed the cruise to Oulton Broad, grateful for the relative comfort of our sheltered cockpit, as we watched a long-suffering sailing wife struggling to tie up in the wind and rain. After a brief stop at the now derelict waiting pontoon, we were locked through Mutford Lock to make our way down the grandly titled Lake Lothing which links the Broads with Lowestoft Harbour. On the way we took advantage of a good deal on diesel at the Lowestoft Haven Marina, where coincidentally we bumped (not literally) into the East coast section of the CA's Victory Rally on their way, eventually, to Scapa Flow.

We arrived just in time for our 2.30pm bridge lift and were eventually settled, three abreast, into a cosy corner of the Royal Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club. The lay day in Lowestoft was scheduled for last minute preparations which for us meant an appointment with Seath Instruments to swing the ship's compass, followed by the arrival of electronics expert Tony Martin who carried out what we hoped would be the last of a frustrating series of autopilot sea trials.

Cruising Statistics

Distance: 36 nm

Total to date: 215 nm

Avg Speed: 4.4 knots

Duration: 9.5 hours

Diesel: 122 litres, 38p/l

Wind: N 4

Mooring: £23/night

Electricity: £1/10kWh

Water: Included

Bridges

Acle (11'6")

Vauxhall Road (11')

Vauxhall Rail (11')

Breydon

Somerleyton (swing)

Mutford road (lift)

Mutford rail (swing)

Lowestoft Harbour (lift)

Locks

Mutford