Skipper Alex, with crew John and Paul assembled on board Honfleur in the basin at Walton on the Naze on Friday 12th September for a week’s cruise. Original plan was to head down to Blackwater but forecasts for strong winds led to a change of plan, and a trip around the Stour and Orwell estuaries.
Left the Walton basin about midday on the Friday through the gate at HW and headed down Walton channel, out of the Backwaters and across Pennyhole bay and into the Harwich channel. The last section towards Harwich was rough due to the wind conditions, although calmed down within the estuary. Headed for Shotley marina situated on the corner of the Stour and Orwell, locked in for the night and had dinner at the Shipwreck pub within the marina complex. Saturday 13th locked out from Shotley and headed up the Orwell and moored for night on the RHYC pontoons. Evening meal was had at the RHYC.
RHYC Pontoon – Evening view up Orwell from Honfleur
Moved on further up the Orwell on Sunday and locked into the Royal Dock in the centre of Ipswich. Stopped there for two nights (Sunday & Monday) as strong winds forecast. Royal dock are undergoing changes, there is now only one marina (Beacon Marina) operating, currently with pontoons located on the opposite side of the dock from the town. The town side pontoons are being removed and new ones installed. Whilst there the replica of the Santa Maria was in port waiting for a weather window to continue its journey. It was open to visitors whilst in port and made for a fascinating visit. The first evening we ate on board, the second evening the Anchor restaurant located near the marina office provided a nice meal. There were some nice pubs with real ales around the waterfront.
Santa Maria berthed in Royal Dock Ipswich
Tuesday morning locked out from Royal Dock and headed down Orwell. The original plan was to stop at halfpenny pier at Harwich but unfortunately this was closed as was the foot ferry due to high winds. So instead moored up on a buoy off Harwich yacht club for a couple of hours waiting for the tide before heading on up the river Stour. Made it right up the Stour to Misley with the tide and was able to moor up on the pontoon there, partially dried out overnight. Walked into town to fish restaurant in the evening.
River Stour – Honfleur moored up at Misley Pontoon
Left Misley on Wednesday morning headed down Stour and moored up at Half Penny Pier for a couple of hours and walked into Harwich town. Visited the museum and Harwich yacht club where we were shown round their facilities. Afterwards carried on back into Orwell to berth at the Suffolk Yacht Club (SYC) and an evening meal on the lightship there.
Half Penny Pier Harwich – Honfleur moored up
Thursday saw a return across Pennyhole Bay and back into the Backwaters, a calmer trip than the way out. Stopped off for a couple of hours on a mooring buoy in Walton channel and had lunch before heading further up to the twizzle and into Titchmarsh marina for the night. Ron and his wife SOCA members who live locally came and meet us and provided an evening meal and entertainment. The final morning (Friday) John left us to return home, and Alex and I returned with Honfleur to the Walton Basin on the tide. That concluded a lovely weeks trip.
Honfleur moored at Titchmarsh and returning into Walton