Sailing on the River Orwell

We were fortunate to be invited out by Mike and Jean onboard Sestina their 40ft Oyster for a cruise down the River Orwell in Ipswich.  This was a perfect day out with clear blue skies and a light breeze - this was a welcome break from working on our boat.  

The River Orwell is in 24hr use by large cargo ships and RoRo ferries plus lots of pleasure sailing/motoring vessels which makes it interesting sailing.  The River is nine miles long with the entrance leading to the English Channel. 

This photo (right) shows Jean helming past the Flexistowe port with John keeping an eye out for other boats.

The scenery was very picturesque passing small villages, sandy beaches and wooded banks.  The sail gave us a valuable opportunity to reccee the river, familiarise ourselves with the various channel and cardinal marks for when we take Sabbaticus out by ourselves.  

This photo shows a floating light house on a barge - this was the first time we had seen this type of lighthouse before. 

Ideal conditions for sailing.

Lunch with Mike and Jean onboard Sestina

Given the ideal sailing conditions, and given this was a fine day in the UK summer, the river was busy with lots of boats out.  Unfortunately we learned on the news the next day that a woman had died after the yacht she was sailing on collided with a dredger and sank - right where we had been sailing. Sobering stuff.

In the Water

After ten days living on the hard we finally had all the jobs completed and moved into the water.  It will be sheer luxury not carrying everything up the stairs and having running water from the taps vice buckets:). 

Sabbaticus on the move...

We are now located on Pier B, right outside the clubhouse and even better closer to the shower/heads so it is a short walk up the gang plank each day.  Being berthed at the start of the pier makes it easier for the riggers, carpenters and technicians to come onboard for their work.  Just as well we weren't planning on going anyway soon as we are sandwiched in:).

Our new location for the next 4- 6 weeks.

No Longer A Dog ...

When we bought the boat she was named Norman G 111 after the previous owner's dog.  After considering lots of boat names we arrived at Sabbaticus (Latin for sabbatical) reflecting our desire for an extended absence in our working lives to achieve our goal of sailing away and seeking new adventures. With her renamed Sabbaticus - she really does feel like our's now:)