Tag: Spitway

Sea Change’s Last 2013 Cambria Outing

Full Sail

Cambria under Full Sail in the 2013 Southend Match, picture taken from, we think, Pudge

We were passed this superb picture of Cambria going like a train with all sails beautifully set by Richard, Hilary, Stretch and the Sea Change Crew. The picture is taken from, we believe, SB Pudge and comes from the Thames Sailing Barge Trust. Hilary tells us that they had a bit of fun but didn’t do so well this time. Posting on the 27th, she said, “Currently anchored at West Mersea. Had a blast at the Southend match and a very creditable 3rd place in the bowsprit class as no other coasting barges present. Underway yesterday at 5pm tacking all the way to the Spitway and anchored in the fog here at 2 am! 3 handed was fun apart from winding up 2 shackles of chain against the wind and tide! Up to Maldon today possibly a visit to the Queens Head our HQ this evening!”

All good things must come to an end, and Sea Change are now on their final 2013 charter on Cambria, though they stress that Sea Change carries on on the SB Reminder all through September and October and into early November.  Hilary again. “Last Cambria trip of the year for Sea Change. Maldon to St Kats. A fair wind away from the quay so no towing charges today! beautiful sunshine, I feel a BBQ coming on and maybe a bit of swimming?”

Thank you so much to the Sea Change team for looking after and using our old girl. We are proud to be part of your good works. It is brilliant that this vessel is used to do so much good. I thank Hilary too for all the Cambria Watch write-ups.

Dave Brooks reminds us all that, “The Cambria Trust are excited to announce that Cambria will be attending the Classic Boat Festival at St Katharine’s Dock London. She will be open to the public and trust members will be on hand to guide and answer your questions. Dates 7th to the 15th Sept.”

The early part of that includes me, your blogger, so that this may be the final post from me till I get back to Ireland. Maybe I will see you on board?

Barnacles

In the latest “Cambria Watch” from Hilary Halajko and the Youth Trainees  of the Sea Change Sailing Trust, Hilary writes,

“Cambria Watch; update from the spitway: We were on the blocks at Pin Mill for 2 nights. There was a fair covering of barnacles on Cambria’s bottom but the pressure washer soon put paid to them! We have scraped and painted the topsides, anti fouled and painted the leeboards grey as they used to be. Getting the line correct was a team effort so no one can be blamed if it’s wonky!! Saturday night we were able to sample the food at the Butt and Oyster as no water means no generator which means no cooker! Sunday had a pull away from the blocks just before high water and a fast sail with several tacks down to Harwich Harbour and few more tacks to clear Walton Pier and a lovely fetch all the way to wymarks in the Blackwater. A lovely sunny sail and the captain was wearing shorts so summer must have arrived at last!! We fetched up in a beautiful sunset, hopefully photos to follow. Underway this morning at 7.00 again with the sun and shorts currently fetching through the spitway, better go now as we are going to set the jib topsail for the first time in 16 days!!

 

Faversham Nautical Festival 2

The busy quayside at Faversham Nautical Festival. Photo by Basil Brambleby

Dave Brooks adds that, “Cambria is due in Gravesend Wednesday to deliver beer to the Rum Puncheon pub. Then will remain on the Thames for the match on Saturday. She will then be going on the pier for a series of talks etc until Sea Change return to do the re-run of her last official cargo from Tilbury to Ipswich”.

Today’s picture is by Boss of Volunteers, Basil and shows the busy quayside down by TS Hazard in the Faversham Nautical Festival.

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