Easter 2006

Wix and Wrabness Yacht Club

Dove Cottage Oakley Road Wix Nr. Manningtree Essex. CO11 2SE

Tel 01255 870777

Within minutes of leaving Titchmarsh, a thick fog descended. An early test for radar and chart plotter, both of which were invaluable.

Our customary shakedown cruise to Ipswich, saw a customary new arrival on the scene, as Irella III, (otherwise known as Irene one hundred and eleven) made her debut.

Mike, having grown tired of building his shoulder muscles to immense proportions wrestling with Freydis' tiller, decided to go for the speed option with a Sigma 33 OOD suitably weighed down with a host of racing sails.

However, he remained true to tradition (as we were to discover later in the year) by buying a clapped out engine as part of the package.

4 boats and a variety of changing crews descended on Ipswich Haven for a traditional evening of spicy food, tall stories and days of victualling and fettling for the season ahead.

At last Mrs C had some competition in the speed stakes as she and Irella left Full Circle and Levanter floundering in their wake.

Useful Links: Royal Yachting Association. The Met Office. Weather Online. UK Hydrographic Office Easy tide.

Deben Entrance. Orford Entrance. www.marinas.com Stour Sailing Club. Windfinder.com