Mike Macarthy normally sails his classic bermudan yacht single handed, but he had major knee surgery last winter and can not move around the boat as easily as he used to. I heard him asking around for crew to help take Elfreda over to Holland, and volunteered to help out since I was free that week. I'd done one cross channel crossing, in a Dufour 40 from the Hamble to St Vaar and back, but expected quite a different experiance in a 25' long, YW 5 tonner.
Sailing trips always start with the forecast, and this one changed as soon as the forecast was made. The initial plan of Maldon to Bradwell creek on Saturday, then getting up early to make Ramsgate on Sunday before heading to Ostend became Maldon to Bradwell Marina to Brightlingsea to wait for the weather.
We set off down river from Maldon at 1300 with the lunchtime high tide. The rain came straight down as we cast off, but by the time we were round the bend into Collier's Reach the rain had eased, and the reefed main and jib took us along nicely for a reach down river to reach Bradwell by 1500.
After a drink in the Marina bar we headed into the village, and had fish and chips in the pub before spending some time in the Bradwell Quay Yacht Club where we bumped into David and Persephone Lewin (Moonstone VIII).
A convivial start to the trip, and gentle introduction to sailing Elfreda.
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