Off at last.

We're off, taking the spring tide out of Tollesbury in the very early hours of the morning.  The wind, such as it was was on the nose as usual so the iron topsail took us to Harwich in about six hours, where upon we dropped anchor just off HMS Ganges as was.

Spent the following day chilling out watching the Ultra Large container ships doing their thing and generally fettling the old boat.  The following day we took some tide and left north.  As the day progressed and the wind (21 knots) over tide caused a popple it was decided to pop into Lowestoft for a few hours rest.  At 0815 next morning there was more overcast skies and more wind and we had a tide to punch round the top of Norfolk.  By 0715 the next day we had made it to Grimsby where the Humber Cruising Association have a marina, whereupon refuelling took place.  Very nice it is too, the lock is freeflow for two hours either side of high water so entry is not too much of a problem with regard to timings.  Having said that I did have to gill around for an hour as the Humber spring flood got me there rather quickly.  You may remember last time I anchored off Spurn Head but Grimsby is a welcome haven after 108 miles of head winds.

With a force five from the north means that one would have to be rather brave to try the tidal havens of Blakeney or Wells.  But by the evening the wind had eased somewhat and I did dally with Wells for a brief while but thought better of it as I may have been stuck there.  There was a fair amount of shipping off the north Norfolk coast and the AIS came in rather handy during twilight, before the lights stand out.


A couple of days in sunny Grimsby then perhaps Flamborough Head's north or south landing for a rest thence up to the Tyne perhaps.  We'll see what the weather deals out shall we. 

Here is an ultra large, just come in and three of the booms have been lowered to start unloading the boxes.




 Don't know why there are two protectors, perhaps one is about to go away for service. Who mans them from Harwich I wonder.





 The "City of St. Petersberg".  What a lovely ship, well it does if for me anyway!












More akin to a "bullet" train don't you think?

 

 Here we have the "Stena Britanica" off to Holland.  I believe the seacat "Discovery" has now been scrapped, fast it was, but not cheap enough to run.

 

 The entrance to Great :Yarmouth is in there somewhere, it becomes evident when you get closer.



More goings on in Yarmouth's outer harbour.  I wonder what they use it for?

 

 The supply vessel "Highland Bugler" making for the entrance up river for the quays.

 

 Tutak safe in the old fish dock, Grimsby.  Back in the land of sunshine.  The hydraulic tower is centre background and is the visible landmark which leads you in from the vast swirl of the Humber.  Vis was not good on the way in and I was pleased to be tied up.

 

 The Humber Cruising Association - run as a "not for profit" company and owned by the berth holders.

 

As well as a racing calender it sports a very large boat fishing club with some appreciable catches.  Anyone for a large cod?  I would heartily recommend Grimsby as a stopover, fair pricing and service.  The clubhouse is quite good too and friendly to boot.  The lock gates do not open for pleasure craft outside of free flow as a matter of course but there are places to anchor whatever the wind so it shouldn't be too much of a problem.