Down to the Medway
Trip Start
Apr 09, 2010
1
8
139
Trip End
Sep 26, 2010
Sheerness, England, United Kingdom
Friday, May 7, 2010
It was a breezy, bright day when we set off down the Crouch and back out to sea. It’s a 13 mile journey from Burnham to the S Whitaker buoy, the first buoy that marks a clear passage to the south. Until then, at this stage of the tide, the extensive Foulness Sand lies exposed to Starboard and the equally, but not quite, as extensive Buxey sand lies to port. We passed a few seals sunbathing on Foulness Sand which were the only wild creatures we actually saw as we plodded under engine into the steep little sea, agitated by the NE 4/5 wind. The waters around here are very shallow, so it was disconcerting to realise that our depth gauge was malfunctioning ie not working at all. Thank goodness for an accurate chart plotter!
As soon as we rounded the buoy, we were able to switch off the engine and sail under genoa alone, averaging 5-6 knots. The afternoon passed peacefully as we sailed down towards the Thames, the tide carrying us through the Middle Deep and then the Warp channels and down towards the entrance to the Medway, which is situated on the Kent side of the Thames estuary.
Life became a little more exciting as we approached the Yantlet channel, which is one if not the main thoroughfares for larger vessels approaching and leaving London (see picture). However, we were soon past that particular obstacle and preparing for the Medway, and feeling quite complacent and relaxed. All was about to change.
Some time earlier I had noted a small warship-like vessel in the distance and as it was so far away, I ignored it. However, it transpired that she was an HMRC cutter, capable of 32 knots, quite fast. This was nothing compared to the black rib that it had despatched, which was capable of 42 knots, which was demonstrated to us as they bore down on us. Coming alongside, one of the four crew members enquired as to our passage and whether we had been abroad of late and asked permission to board. He and a female colleague (bit of sexism here but I do think that if you hire someone to do a job, it’s a bit silly that the suspect vessel’s master has to give a helping hand to get them on board in order that they do their job!).Having said that, they were both very pleasant, having quickly decided that we were not carrying any contraband or illegal immigrants. Perhaps it wasn’t the wisest thing for me to do, to call sotto voce, as they departed, 'Achmed, it’s all clear now’ but thankfully, they saw the funny side of it!
The remainder of the voyage passed without incident. We entered the Medway and proceeded up the river for a couple of miles, turning left into Stangate creek and thence into a secluded anchorage, occupied by two other yachts and about 2000 black headed gulls on the nearby low lying islet. The whole area had a desolate, semi industrial wasteland feel about it, especially as it was now becoming dark and the weather threatening. This feeling of bleakness was however, amply compensated for by the raucous toing and froing of the gulls as they carried on the important business of setting up the next generation.
It was chilly in the cabin but the Eberspacher did its best to make the saloon habitable. The excellent lemon chicken that Julie prepared did the rest and we retired to bed well satisfied at the day’s progress.
Comments
Glad you enjoyed the surprise I arranged for you!
Full body search next time?