Finally managed to escape from Gillingham, it was still blowing 20kts and we somehow managed to leave the pontoon with its arrangement of wooden piles and ropes and headed for the lock unscathed.  Motored all the way to Queenborough - had a little bit of a Yachtmaster Moment when I got my Norths and Souths confused.  Picked up a buoy, because there is nothing else there, and spent a short night on the mooring.  Fantastic dawn over the Isle of Sheppey, and we set off to cross the Thames Estuary with all its sandbanks, ships and windfarms.


Isle of Sheppey

 Having left Isle of Sheppey at 0445, we arrived in Shotley, River Orwell about 12 hours later.  We motored the last couple of miles past Felixstowe - I did not want to try to outrun a container ship being manoevered by tugs and preferred the safer option of the engine.


Felixstowe



We had a Dog Day on the 4th, and walked along the banks of the River Orwell to Pin Mill - a fantastic walk, but the absolute highlight was the houseboat travellers encampment, although not all of them were capable of travelling too far!

A close up of the red and blue boat, centre left:  Would suit DIY Enthusiast?

Shotley Marina was lovely, we didn't realise till after we'd showered that they even had baths there for the use of the Guests.  The downside was that it was literally miles from anywhere - even to buy a pint of milk required the use of the folding bicycles.

Felixstowe Sunrise

Another early start showed Felixstowe at its best, and then we finally got some down wind sailing.  Did mean that the Spinnaker Pole could no longer be used as a clothes rail, but it was a small price to pay for 3 hours under spinnaker along the Suffolk coast.

We chose the Royal Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club Marina as our next stopping place - liked the name, and also it did mean that we didn't have to negotiate any more locks.  It is in a time warp - fantastic old building, newspapers and magazines available, fully staffed bar and restaurant,but seems to be empty all the time.  Did venture inland to the start of the Norfolk Broads - clearly another place where you can leave your boat to go back to nature!



Oulton Broad, near Lowestoft

Next Stop:  Hull