Up at 04.30, left Brightlingsea at 05.20. Having a pleasant sail en-route to Gravesend, to arrive before the force 8 gale we hope! Latest snag is the genoa furling gear (fing wot roles up da front sail) has given up the ghost. Head scratching going on as to what to do with the sail when we get there!

After a hearty breakfast ashore the four musketeers slipped their berth at Maldon 30 minutes after White Satin floated free of the glorious Essex mud ... And 3 minutes before the heavens opened and gave us a thorough soaking. Soon we were checking out the lock at Heybridge before shaking out the sails and reaching past the Marconi Sailing Club so that Ian could get some more photos. The rain kept us on our toes - or rather, in and out of our oilies! The wind wa...

Bright(-ish) morning, so we dropped our mooring soon after 10 o'clock and ambled up the channel past West Mersea to have a little look and see. Turned around, motored back into the main river and set off upstream with a good spring tide under us. After a couple of tacks the river turned right and we bore off for a good sail in the fresh force 4 breeze. Shortly before mid-day Stone YC put on their bank holiday dinghy racing for us as we sailed through their ...

Arrived and moored off West Mersea after 7 hours of sailing and motor sailing from Titchmarsh Marina in Walton on the Naze. This despite navigation issues. 'Are we alright on this course John'? 'I don't really know skip cos I'm sitting down and can't see, but as long as you don't hit the bit of beach sticking out we should be OK'. Anyone for Ice Creams? Later reply to another navigation question was met with 'I've delegated my navigation duties to my deputy' ...

En-passage for the Blackwater, just off Clacton pier. A weather check at 06.00 kept us in our bunks listening to the strong winds and driving rain. We eventually got away at 10.30, much later than planned....thus the tides are not at their best for us. Having a good sail, however. If you take a look at the 5 day forecast for Brightlingsea, you'll understand why we're considering a spot of basket-weaving! Glad we've got the heater!