We spent last night at Chatham Maritime Marina, which was OK but certainly not value for money. It was slightly disappointing that a historic dock was full of big white modern boats. We hoped on this trip to find somebody that might be able to shed some light on the history of our boat and expected Chatham to be a good start. Sadly, it is little more than a pleasure palace for 10 bob millionaires, with one or two exceptions. This morning we met a couple who were very complimentary about the boat and seemed to know quite a lot about naval pinnaces. They gave us a good contact for a chap who owns a steel pinnace not dissimilar to ours, we have emailed him with our details, who knows he might be able to shed some light on her origins! So if Chatham provides us with a valuable contact and some more information it will have been worth it. At every stop we are asked "what is she?" If we only knew ourselves.....
Today we left Chatham Marina and headed up river to Medway Bridge Marina - some difference I might say! The trip was interesting to say the least. We passed all types of vessels including a lot of military types. We even passed a submarine would you believe?
We arrived at what we thought to be the start of the marina and began looking for berth 42 and 43, we couldn't see a single number on any of the pontoons, further on we went until we reached the end and decided we had go in! Then we started losing water - again!! Back out we went and Martyn radioed through for directions. We had passed the mooring way back at the beginning... No worries at least we knew where to go now. We found the spot and began to moor up, it was quite a struggle, the tide seem to move this way and that and the wind well.... Eventually we got moored up and went to pay our rent for the evening. This place is something else, houseboats, gym palaces, wooden boats and not a sail in sight! Don't get me wrong sailing boats look very pretty out on the water but it really is a game of dodgems when they are tacking all over the place and you have no clue where they are heading for. I am also secretly jealous that it costs them virtually nothing in fuel to have their fun on the water. The disappointing thing is that we have been met with mainly negative responses from the vast majority of the sailing fraternity, I really hope this changes further round the coast. You can be the only two boats on the horizon out at sea, you give them a wave and receive nothing but a blank look, it leaves you feeling a lttle dejected! Not all are the same I hasten to add although it is more often the case than not unfortunately. At the end of the day we are all enjoying this beautiful water, and it is every persons right to do so. We should have respect for the people on it and the things that live within it. So ends my sermon!
At Medway Bridge Marina we have discovered the best chandlers in the world - it has a bar in it. £2.50 for a large glass of wine - that actually means full to the brim of the glass - heaven. Sadly, I could only manage two before we had to come back, it's quite a long walk on a small pontoon! It was a very pleasant afternoon overall. We have booked in for two days so a good lie in tomorrow will be gratefully received!
No comments:
Post a Comment