Here goes writing my first blog post on the WOA website.
With the 2019 season rapidly coming to the end and Jeddo’s lift out booked for the 29th October I had been hoping to get away over the last few weeks, but other shore based things and the weather have got in the way.
With a reasonable forecast for the coming week I got an email from fellow club member and cruising friend Ken to say he was hoping to get away for a few days. He had already been in touch with Mike who was up for it so we would meet late Sunday afternoon to push off on Monday’s tide.
Over the weekend, Monday’s forecast changed to Northerly 5-7 and more rain, but improving Tuesday. I had already arranged to be at the club Sunday so a trip to Tescos on Saturday and off to the club Sunday and out to the boat. Ken, who travels down from the Midlands was still coming Sunday, but Mike who lives in walking distance from the club is going to wait until Monday evening or Tuesday morning’s tide.
Our moorings are a bit exposed to the North, so rather than swinging around on the buoy until the boat settled in the mud I decided it may be a bit more sheltered anchored in “Bomb Bay” at the end of Stangate Creek. The VHF crackled into life and it was Ken to say his mooring lines and safety chain were tangled, so he would stay on his mooring and sort it out in daylight when the tide is out.
About 05.00 I woke with the boat lurching around, my sheltered spot wasn’t as sheltered as expected. With the anchor drag alarm set before I went to bed on the plotter and 35m of chain out I tried to get back to sleep. I guess the incoming tide was running across the strengthening wind and churning up a bit.
I was hoping I might get a short sail today, but with the rain not easing and the wind getting stronger I think I will be staying put for the day.
