DAY TWENTY-THREE - WELLS-NEXT-THE-SEA TO BRIGHTLINGSEA

Southwold at play

After a very good night in Wells-Next-the-Sea we woke up this morning to find the very pretty town buzzing with the anticipation of a summer's day - on 1st October!  We had to virtually punt our way up the river the night before, but the sight that met us when we made our way down to the boats was completely different at high water.  The local swimming club was finishing an early morning swim, the quay-side was humming with activity, and people were heading out to enjoy the beach with temperatures forecast in the high twenties.

A cousin-in-law of Si's, Kit Mordaunt, who lives nearby, arrived to help ferry the fuel cans to the local garage for re-fuelling, which was a fantastic help, as fuel stops in the next few days are critical.

Kit Mordaunt helps us get underway at Wells

We made our way down the river, enjoying the warmth of the sun in shirtsleeves and shorts, and saw the population of Wells at play on the very typically English beach, complete with colourful beach huts.  For the second day running, we were met with a silken smooth sea, and the two boats left thin white slashes across the immaculate surface, like skating blades across the ice.  The only downside of these perfect conditions was that the warm weather again brought in a sea-mist which kept the coast hidden behind a veil of secrecy all day.

"ConTTentment" disappears into the mist leaving Wells-Next-the -Sea

Suddenly two fins broke the pristine surface, and we circled to watch to tiny Harbour Dolphin, who, notoriously shy and not at all like their more playful Common and Bottlenose cousins, showed themselves only briefly.

Southwold

We were making our way to Southwold as a good half way point for a break, and it was relief to make our way in towards the land and enjoy some scenery!  Southwold was fascinating, with the shoreline lined with fisherman's huts and boats, and again the local population making good use of the fantastic weather.  As we busied ourselves tying up alongside, great friends Melissa and Tom Seppings suddenly appeared in their Norfolk punt, complete with their yellow labrador on board, embarking upriver for a picnic.  What a coincidence to run into friends in a tiny inlet in Norfolk!

We just had time to snatch a quick drink and a chat at the local pub, before we were back on the boats and away to make our deadline, the fuel barge at Bradwell Marina, near Brightlingsea, a tactical and critical fuel stop which closed at 5.00pm.

Melissa joins us onboard "ConTTentment" 

Again, we were able to enjoy ideal conditions, albeit without any views!  Finally the boredom of "motorway driving" became too much, and we decided to do time trials mid-ocean!!  Cranking "ConTTentment" up to 42 knots was a brief highlight in the afternoon!
We made our way into Bradwell Marina, making the 5.00pm deadline for fuel with just minutes to spare, and then on to Brightlingsea over the other side of the Blackwater Estuary where we were being reunited with Lucy and Dick Browning, who had joined us on the Glasson to Crinan leg, and who farm just outside Colchester.
Tomorrow we are heading towards London, with the "Teal" crew now joined by Sarah and Paddy James, and "ConTTentment" picking up Camilla and Shamus Henderson at Gravesend and Gerald Dodson at Westminster.  

Distance travelled:  133 nautical miles
Time travelling: 5 hours 45 minutes
Average speed:  23.2 knots
Total trip:  1,844 nautical miles