Reply to madonbrew.

[2greys]

I live 3 miles from the River Hamble

We have sailed a few yachts from 4 berth 28 ft Bermuda rigged to one of the biggest, fastest Broads yachts, an 8 berth 42 ft Gaff Rigged with 1200 sq ft of sail. The photo is of "Lapwing" a replica of a vintage racing yacht taken at Potter Heigham, taken from the bridge over the entrance to the marina by my daughter, yours truly sat in the cockpit.

The other side of the river are some of the Potter Heigham "bungalows". I was born and bred in a similar bungalow in my native NZ.

[Hidden]

Great photo 2greys , thank you for sharing 💕

[CELAT06]

Hi, I was only thinking of you yesterday and wondering when and if you’ll be able to go sailing/ boating ( not sure of the correct term ) again. I loved to read of your adventures when you used to tell us all about it. I bet you’re missing it, although I know you have some serious health problems to deal with at the mo. Hope you’re as well as can be. Keep safe. X

[2greys in reply to CELAT06]

Whilst my heart would jump at the chance, my head tells me my body, regrettably, says no.

Sailing on narrow meandering rivers is extremely physical, it not only takes 'puff' to fill the sails it takes a lot of personal puff too. Then there is the miles of walking to visit the villages, shops and pub/restaurants. Memories that are very dear to me and will never forget them.

I am so thankful to have discovered sailing on the Broads, although it is unique and needs a different skillset. Sailing on the open sea is definitely not an option for Sharon, the thought of it absolutely terrifies her, she gets panicky going on the car ferry to the Isle of Wight.

[madonbrew]

Aww wow 2greys . Thank you for sharing that. It looks like it’s been a well looked after boat. The wood work looks good...at least from the photo. My dad would be pleased! He took a lot of pride in the upkeep of his boats! It sounds like you have had a lot of adventures too!

Dads mooring was about 100 metres from The Jolly Sailor pub...not in the marina, but we had a pontoon. I used to love going down past Tracy Edwards boat Maiden & occasionally Chrieghtons (not sure of spelling)Naturally would be around. I was always in awe of those around the world racers!!! Lol...when I was 10, it was my ambition to do the Whitbread Round the World yacht race! Tracy Edwards was my idol! Goodness, the thought nowadays scares the life out of me!

Dad sold his last boat...a Nicholson 32 about 10 years ago. He got too ill and old to manage it. Can you navigate?

[2greys in reply to madonbrew]

I know The Jolly Sailor quite well.

Can I navigate? Yes I should think so, when in my 20's I was the engineer on a small coastal tanker. On one trip, fetching fuel oil from Rotterdam to BP, Hamble, the other two crew (only the three of us as crew), the skipper and mate got totally inebriated whilst ashore and were out for the count in their bunks. With a schedule to keep to and to save the others their jobs, I brought the ship back from Rotterdam to the Solent single handed, they woke up just in time to tie up and discharge the load at the end of the shift.

Another of those unforgettable memories, you have no idea of how busy the English Channel is (or as the French call it, La Manche)

[madonbrew in reply to 2greys]

That’s funny! They were lucky they had you as a crew member!

Yes the Channel can certainly get quite busy! We’ve done that one more than a few times. Dad used to be self employed so when I was growing up could take whatever time he could manage for holidays. We’d sail over to Jersey, Gurnsey, St Malo, Cherbourg , Sark. When dad bought his Nicholson he bought it from Cardiff and sailed it back to Hamble.

Thanks..you reminded me of lots of good & a few ‘choppy’ memories!!

Christchurch,NZ is a great place too! I went back in my mid 20’s travelling to Australia and NZ. Christchurch cathedral was still standing then.

Hope you’re ok too? Sounds like things aren’t quite so good recently. Thinking of you!

[watergazer]

Lovely photo. Thanks and it stirred my memories of last august when I went to the broads and hired our little day boat. Where in NZ do you come from? Xx

[2greys in reply to watergazer]

I hail from, what was a tiny collection of well space homes, called Avondale which is now a suburb of Christchurch.

[watergazer in reply to 2greys]

The South Island. I was visiting my son on the north island when he was on a years sabbatical there. Didn’t get to the south as explored the north island. Would like to go back one day. We’re there many quakes ? My son was based at Napier and the lights would swing. Xx

[2greys in reply to watergazer]

More like tremors than full blown quakes. Concerning enough that all the houses were of single story, timber construction rather than bricks with corrugated tin roofs and the roofspace filled with straw for insulation.

[Tryfan]

I always wonder if a wooden yacht or boat is a hobby, a work in progress or a mistress. I live in Conwy and volunteer with Conwy RNLI. When allowed. Spend lots of time around boats, people and the water.

No two days the same, always something new with lots of banter.

Being ruled by tides and weather increases your awareness of life, time and seasons. Teaches you patience and humility.

Hope you find time and conditions allow your continued enjoyment.

Best wishes, stay well.

[2greys in reply to Tryfan]

Boats are both mistresses, continuing work in progress and a hole in the water to empty your wallet into Which is why I always hired, but even that was very expensive, Lapwing (above photo) cost 10 years ago, £1,000 a week and that was off peak in June (peak was in school holidays of course). I only ever hired her the once for a big two week family holiday with 8 of us going.

[Damon1864 Volunteer]

Beautiful photo thank you for sharing have a lovely day and take care 😊 Bernadette and Jack 🐕 xxxxxx

[peege]

Lovely photo 2g. You've brought back memories of great adventures for me to take me out of lock down doldrums. For last 25 years a close friend has always had a yacht share so I had many great sails with him often just two of us so learnt so much. One of my achievements, taking the helm in full sail through the Strait of Messina. So much traffic flying backwards and forwards between Italy and Scicily it was more terrifying than force 8s, huge seas, hailstorms or sailing too close to Stromboli pelting out red hot lumps of larva sizzling in to the sea. I've been invited to join some legs of the Round the World Oyster Rally 2021, my dream come true however, I somehow think I shall have to decline 😥

[madonbrew in reply to peege]

Oh my days...Round the World Oyster Rally! That would be awesome!

Wow, you have had some great sailing experiences too!

[peege in reply to madonbrew]

I'm sure i could do it but really, I'd be too much of a liability now, especially with the cold legs. Probably get pneumonia &/or break something. Can only dream it now 😪 , although great memories, photos and videos to cheer me up. Mind you, I'm thinking it may not happen this year after all.

[2greys in reply to peege]

I empathise whole heartedly with you. I am/will miss it all terribly as well.