Last Sail & Haul Out

I cant quite believe the summer is over for me and ‘Talisker 1’.

It almost seems like someone else went off on my boat and sailed 5,000 nautical miles in to the Atlantic this year.

17th October

We sailed from Orford for the last time this year

It was a gloomy day, poor visibility, which improved as we closed on Languard Point, and quite cold too, so I decided on a snug night in Titchmarsh Marina, Walton Backwaters. 

Visibility still good we pass a SV heading north off Boathouse Point

‘Reminder’ outward bound from the Walton Backwaters

Costs at Titchmarsh are extremely reasonable and facilities are good …. £22 for my eleven metre boat. The weather was going to get better.  

18th October

We were out of the Walton Backwaters to a fine day with fresh north easterlies.

‘Pioneer’ outward bound from Harwich. ‘Talisker 1’ outward bound from the Walton Backwaters

‘Pioneer’ heading S down the Wallet

We sailed, or should I say charged down the Wallet in the company of ‘Pioneer’ as far as Clacton where she came about and headed north.

‘Pioneer’ coming about off Clacton

Our sail on up the Colne was lovely.  ‘Reminder’ had entered the estuary ahead of us.  

‘Reminder’ anchoring in the lee of Colne Point

‘Reminder’ at anchor just inside Colne Point

We were anchored in the river on the Brightlingsea side opposite Pyefleet Creek for a couple of nights. 

‘Talisker 1’ at anchor

It was just lovely to be anchored in the Colne in fine weather.  There is not a lot of wind for the next couple of days.  On Sunday I plan to sail back to the Orwell and up to Suffolk Yacht Harbour. ‘Talisker 1’ is booked to be hauled out next Friday.

Sunset over Pyefleet Creek

19th October

‘Pioneer’ arrived today and picked up her mooring just off Mersea Island.

Sunset Pyefleet

Brightlingsea

Mersea Stone Point

20th October

‘Pioneer’ back on her mooring

Brightlingsea

Light Air Sailing

The wind was going to be blowing from the south west by tomorrow so we motored across to Pyefleet and anchored in the Creek.

Anchored Pyefleet Creek

Pyefleet

I felt terrible at the prospect of hauling out, though it was lovely to be in our familiar waters watching the world go by.

21st October

Early Morning Pyefleet

Sailing out of Pyefleet Creek

Sailing out of the Colne

Our last day of sailing this year. ‘Talisker 1’ weighed anchor at 1000 and together we were carried by the ebb and gentle south westerly winds and beautiful sunshine back up the Wallet to the Orwell.

Felixstowe Dock

By 1600 we were secure in a berth in the West Harbour of Suffolk Yacht Harbour.

West Harbour Suffolk Yacht Harbour

26th October

‘Talisker 1’ came out of the water on the 26th October. As usual immaculately hauled out by James and his boys at Suffolk Yacht Harbour.

Doc was kind enough to come and help me take the sails off before she was hauled out. The taking off was ok. It was the folding that is always easier with two of you. They were beautifully folded and bagged and will be sent to Wareham Dorset for Kemp Sails to give them their winter check. Doc has ordered a new stay sail. When that sail is ready to collect we will drive to Wareham together to collect all our sails and catch up with Rob Kemp.

Winter work will shortly begin.

Leave a Comment