Tag: Brightlingsea

Not always a Favourable Wind

Anyone out there unkind enough to think that these Sea Change trainees should not always have favourable winds and beautiful sunshine; that they should experience some PROPER ruffty-tuffty barging weather to give them a realistic experience, might draw comfort from Hilary’s most recent “Cambria Watch” posts on Face Book. On the 22nd, she posted that they had had “A frustrating sail yesterday as we had the wind on the nose and a foul tide for what seemed like forever. I never want to see Sizewell again as we spent a long time either just stemming the tide or going backwards as there was nowhere safe to anchor! The wind died about 11 pm so our intention to carry on to Brightlingsea died too and we anchored on the shelf at Harwich. There is an up side to everything though and we have all had a good nights sleep. getting under way again soon and this time hopefully we will get to Brightlinsea although there is little wind. We’ve had rain this morning first time in ages and my berth is soaking wet!!!!”

Oops – we may need to sort out that deck caulking again.

Today, even worse, she posts “One word. DRENCHED” and then “I hear Southend pier is flooded, rain not due to stop until tomorrow morning….hmmm…..”

Rachel from Sea Change coiling warps

Rachel from Sea Change coiling warps on a nicer morning than those described here. Picture by Hilary Halajko

Oh Dear, you Sea Changers. I hope the weather improves for you soon.

A Nice Colne Write Up

Don Ramsay from Sea Change comes on to tip me off about “an article about the Colne Match on the website that might interest you, together with some photos”. It’s on http://www.seachangesailingtrust.org.uk/?p=2605 and you must click on the link.

Brightlingsea

The crew of Cambria relax in Brightlingsea after the Colne 2012 Match. Photo from the Sea Change website, with permission.

Nothing belongs in the Estuary as much as a Thames Barge – and nothing looks quite as exotic.  We lugged our sail bags along Maldon town quay, past the moored yachts and cars and pedestrians.  Suddenly beyond all the masts, there was the instantly recognisable rigging of the Thames Barges, they were gathered at the end of the quay next to the other yachts like a number of praying mantis, temporarily forced to share digs with a crowd of small white beetles.

Then we were walking up the gangplank to the Cambria – for the first time, up close and personal with a Thames Barge. Everything is … big.  Enormous blocks and tackles.  Massive cast iron two-person winches.  Huge coiled ropes, set in spiralling patterns to cover the vast roof of the hold, the great cargo belly of a Thames barge.

The skipper and mate had the unassuming good humour and self-possession of people who know their jobs inside out and are aware that they don’t need to sell to anybody the charismatic, iconic  vessel  they have in their charge.  We all had a cup of tea on the deck. They were relaxed in their jeans and ordinary shoes, and we eager south coast sailors, with our neoprene and three-layer system kit, felt not quite as cool – but that didn’t matter because we were spending the weekend sailing on a Thames Barge, and that was supremely exciting.

The Cambria has no engine but with a quick tow off the quayside, we set off downstream in the early evening sun for our first sail to Brightlingsea.  We hoisted sails two to a rope, and as they filled felt the massive weight of the hull stir beneath our feet……” and so it goes on for a couple of lovely, well written, entertaining pages.

Thanks for the tip off, Don and thank you for the article, Debbie Leach.

 

Niagara’s back….

On “Cambria Watch” today with Hilary Halajko as ‘Kate Humble’, Hilary reports that Cambria left Brightlingsea bound for Harwich fine, but the pub were not ready for the delivery as they were awaiting a horse and cart. Therefore the crew had to sail Cambria back to the Colne and Pyfleet. This was a cracking sail in which Hilary described the Cambria as “going like a train”. Our Generator room is proving to be a useful drying area after a very wet day. Tomorrow we have a short sail up the Colne to Arlesford to await a tow to Rowhedge on Tuesday for a delivery to the Albion Pub. The Crew are all enjoying a curry this (Sunday) evening”.

I love that a Sailing barge struggles in to make the tide and then gets held up because there are no horse and carts available to unload! As Dave Brooks suggested wryly, “It might be taking authenticity too far”

SB Niagara; Photo by Dave BrooksDave notes that he “ may have missed all the Cambria fun in Maldon but I did see a first for many a long year. Sails set on the Niagara. Fores’l and Main getting an airing. Niagara will be underway this season”. Dave supplies today’s picture. Tomorrow he will attempt to better his current world record number of barges seen and mentioned in a single blog post as well as attempting at the same time to out-do us all in number of barges in one photograph. Will he make it? A whole readership holds its breath……..`

Lectures in Gravesend

Ha. The website has just received a nice comment about a recent post which gives details of where you can go to “your best Sexy Lingerie private Online Store”. Should I approve it? Um… That’ll be a ‘No’ then.

Cambria enters Medway; Picture by Dave BrooksIn “Cambria Watch”, Hilary says “Cambria Left Maldon 6.30 am bound Brightlinsea, nice sunny sail though wet now. Cambria now on Brightlingsea Hard and first beer delivery 1.00pm tomorrow (That’s today, Friday July 13) hopefully with horse and cart”. Love to know how they got on!

Meanwhile Boss of Volunteers, Basil tells me that immediately after the Thames Match this year Cambria will be moored at Gravesend Town Pier and will be used for a series of lectures on barges, the RNLI and The Thames and Medway Canal, by the renowned expert and author Richard Hugh Perks and Friend, expert and Power Station afficionado, Tricia Gurnett.

Basil takes up the story.

“Earlier this year Sailing Barge Cambria strengthened her link with the Town of Gravesend by being the first vessel to berth on the new town pier. This followed a successful spell on the wall at St Andrews last year where she was opened to the public.

Cambria will be returning to the town pier after the Thames Barge Match 28th July and will be opening to the public from Monday 30th July through to Saturday the 4th August.
In addition Cambria will be hosting a series of interesting talks.
Wed 1st Aug “Evolution of the Thames Sailing Barge” by Richard Hugh Perks. Talks at 3.30 and 7.30
Admission £4.00. Proceeds on behalf of Cambria
Thurs. 2nd Aug “RNLI” by Tricia Gurnett Talks at 3.30 pm and 7.30 pm
Admission £2.00. Proceeds will be shared.
Fri 3rd Aug “200 years of the Thames and Medway Canal” . (Sorry, Basil does not state speaker’s name – I will find out) Talks at 11.30 am and 3.30 pm
Admission £2.00. Proceeds will be shared.
We are aware that not everyone will be able to come to enjoy any of the programmes, but it is of interest to know what is happening aboard Cambria.
If you are able to attend any / all of the events can you please, if possible, let us know. It will be good to see you and you will be very welcome on board.”
Today’s picture is of Cambria entering the Medway earlier this month and is taken by Dave Brooks.

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