Queenborough to Burnham on Crouch

Today we slipped our mooring buoy in Queenborough at about 0800 and set sail as soon as we reached the Medway river. There was a good wind and it seemed like an exciting sailing day.......until 20 mins later we reached the Thames when the wind died. So it became a motoring day - quite pleasant nonetheless as the sun shone on the smooth sea.

We noticed what looked like a pinnacle of rock projecting up from the sea, and scanned the charts to identify it, without success. As we got closer to it, the rick changed into a Thames sailing barge silhouette!

We then had to pass Shoeburyness firing range, and Roger telephoned to check it was safe to pass. We didn't really want grapeshot across our bow, or through our sails! 'Is it safe to pass?' asked Roger, 'Yes and No' came the reply! Great! Apparently we could pass and if there was a danger then the guard boat would come to warn us!

Onward we motored, finally taking a turn to the left into the River Crouch, and on to the marina at Burnham-on-Crouch.

Progress. This is new sailing ground for us, and a new part of the country to explore. The wind tomorrow is expected to be very strong, but subsiding in the evening when we plan to creep around the corner into Bradwell. Maybe only a 2 or 3 hour trip.

Our mooring at Queenborough, just before we slipped our lines

The Thames sailing barge

There is also a short video clip taken as we entered the river Crouch. You can see it by clicking HERE