Tag: Bob Roberts

Tri-Colour Leeboards

That well known ‘social networking site’, Facebook has become a rather lively, entertaining place in which to pick up the latest info on Cambria’s where-abouts and the comings and goings of plenty of other barges, including Edith May, Kitty, Thalatta, Xylonite and many more. If you don’t “do” Facebook, merely because you have heard bad things about it or you are nervous of it, then I’d urge you to go dip a toe in the water. You don’t have to open the flood gates to all sorts of idiocy, you can pick and choose who you would like to hear from and what you’d like to hear. Just join groups like “Sailing Barge Cambria” (or others) and all you’ll get is the “feed” from sources you like and respect.

Tricolour Leeboards; Image by Dave Brooks

Tricolour Leeboards; Image by Dave Brooks; painting by Richard Tichener and the Sea Change Sailing Trust

Lately, ‘we’ have been at Pin Mill where Skipper Richard Tichener has had the barge up on the blocks so that he could get the trainees hoe-ing barnacles off the bottom and lower sides, and painting. Roving reporter Dave Brooks took the opportunity to nip to Pin Mill and got these superb and unusual views of Cambria. Says Dave, ” The locals didn’t recognise her with the black leeboards so when in Pin Mill do as Bob Roberts would have done and paint them”. Tim Kent of SB Xylonite catches us up with the latest “youth-speak”, telling us that his 12 year old son says she looks “sick” but that this is a good thing, the latest modern version of “wicked”.  Shipwright Ryan Dale chips in that it looked better last year with black leeboards on which was written “RYAN” in good gloopy brown Faversham Creek mud. (Nice one Ryan! Wonder how that got there!)

There are also some nice pictures posted of Cambria moored by (and then seen through the windows of) the Butt and Oyster pub in Pin Mill.

23 Barges!

Dave B is making scurrilous remarks that I may have coerced this article out of him …”seeing as you practically forced my arm up my back”. What a suggestion! Anyway, seriously, I am delighted to receive the following from Dave describing his mission to Ipswich and Pin Mill over the weekend.

“We arrived at Pin Mill late in the morning of 29th June”, says Dave, “to find just Edith May and Melissa present for the race though Betula was at her mooring by the Butt and Oyster Pub. A quick spin down to Shotley revealed the Reminder at Harwich, then back to the Butt and Oyster for lunch. Off to Ipswich Dock and things were much more promising, with Centaur, Lady Daphne. Ardwina, Marjorie, Victor, Lady of the Lea and Phoenician all present and soon to be joined by Thistle and Hydrogen who were waiting to lock in. We decided to head back to Pin Mill and on the way spotted the little yacht barge Rosie Probert at Stoke Quay. Pin Mill was still quiet but some of the Edith May crew were at the pub and it would have been rude not to stay for a drink.

On the way back to the car I stopped to ask a local where Bob Roberts had lived. He was somewhat bemused having received that morning a letter from Sheila Roberts telling all about the re-dedication. He asked our connection with Bob and we explained we were part of the Trust. His name was Ron Watts and he’d sailed with Bob on the Cambria in the past. He kindly walked us down to the cottage where Bob had lived.

On the following morning were headed off to the Butt and Oyster for Cumberland Sausage and Black Treacle basted Bacon rolls and coffee. Bring on the race. A short drive to Shotley and onto the point and somewhat surprisingly Mirosa was leading the Edme and the Marjorie in the bowsprit class. Edith May was leading the fast stays’ls but had been overhauled by Melissa, Repertor and Decima by the time they reached Lowestoft. Reminder was following and Victor we think started but then seemed to change his mind and joined the following Hydrogen, Thistle and Kitty. The slower barges were next up with Ardwina, Centaur and Lady of the Lea going well, but sadly a collision between Lady Daphne and Phoenician meant an early return to Ipswich for both. Cygnet, Dinah and Cabby (not certain if she was racing or following) were the last barges to pass us at Shotley.

Decima in Pin Mill Match. Photo By Dave Brooks

Decima in Pin Mill Match. Photo By Dave Brooks

It was an interesting race and as the barges headed back into Harwich harbour Mirosa was leading with Edme appearing to follow the wrong course and having to double back in order to sail up the Stour. Mirosa did well and stayed ahead of Edme to win the Bowsprit class. Repertor overhauled the Melissa to win the stays’l class and Centaur held off Ardwina in the slower class.

All in all it was a very interesting race with good picture opportunities but sad that Lady Daphne and Phoenician came together early on.”

Thanks for that brilliant report Dave which certainly gives you the Record for most Barges “seen” in one blog and mentioned in one report. I make it 22 seen and Cambria mentioned, so 23! It was a definite barge-rich environment. Today’s photo is one by Dave of Decima during the match.

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