Whisper’s crew appear to be suffering from paranoia as far as her engine is concerned.  We had planned to spend the day sailing in the River Stour, but after yesterday’s fiasco we thought it better to catch the early tide into the Walton Channel.  As it happened the day dawned with not a breath of wind, the river Orwell was flat calm.  We shattered the peace with a roar of the engine, as we made sure that the throttle was open sufficiently to create the pressure and ensure that the water pumped around the engine block. It was successful, relaxed we gently made our way down to Harwich in shirt sleeves, the day was already warm and it was only 7am.  The port was surprisingly busy at this hour, a huge container ship was being manoeuvred into the dock with the aid of two hardworking tugs, the regular ferry to the Hook of Holland was leaving and a smaller ship bound for Ipswich was coming into the Orwell.  We were pleased to have the engine working, as the tide was against us in the harbour.  Once out into the open shallow water, we picked up the tide at Pye End and with the current now under her keel, Whisper raced up to the Walton channel where we picked up our friends mooring.   Part of the beautiful warm day was spent preparing Whisper for her haul out tomorrow.  Fortunately, with little wind about we were able to drop the Genoa and somehow managed to fold it on her deck and squeeze it into the sail bag.  It was by no means the tidiest of stowage but we were able to get it below and it now sits in the heads out of the way.  Jobs complete we were able to enjoy the peace and tranquillity of this beautiful back water.  The birds are always a pleasure to watch, young Oyster Catchers swept by, calling frantically, terns hovered and dived for their fish.  Hundreds of gulls accompanied a fishing boat as it raced passed us taking its catch up to the marina.  It was lovely just to sit in the warm sunshine and watch the world go by on its watery path.  We even saw a yachting friend, who turned around to come back past us to say ‘hello’ and chat briefly about his sailing plans for the summer.  Our news was somewhat briefer “we are going into the yard to have a new engine fitted’.  A very pleasant day.  

Thursday 6th July

The morning was a little tense, it is neaps, so there would not be a lot of water in the creek which leads up to the boat yard.  A phone call to the yard before we left the security of our mooring, alerted them that we were on our way.  We were assured by them that it would be fine, they had water there already and we could leave now.  We both agreed, that yes there might be water there already, but how much?  We set off and slowly crept up passed the small navigation buoys, moored day boats and dinghies.  Our skipper knows the passage of the creek well, but even so, with the constant silting of the river and having a draft of some 5ft it is a matter for some concern.  We knew that as we approached the yard at the top of the creek it would become more difficult and it did.  We were about 500 yards away from the dock when we went firmly aground, despite being inside the navigation buoys.  Eventually the tide lifted us and more recent local knowledge from a passer by in a small tender suggested we went a little more to starboard.  We did this and were successful in getting to the dock, where we moored alongside another yacht in for repair.  The yard manager came across and said to leave Whisper there as they would get her into the boat cradle when there was a little more water.  We were happy to abandon Whisper into their care and went off to seek out the engineer to see if the new engine had arrived.  

Surprisingly it had arrived, but the wooden crate had been damaged in transit!  The engineer had inspected it on delivery and found that the small handle on the oil pump had been broken!  He contacted the manufacturer and made them aware of the damage and obviously did not want to send the engine back and cause further delay at this stage.  If he should find further damage, they are at least aware that it was not delivered in an A1 condition and a new pump handle is on its way.  

We collected our car, filled it with all we had to bring home and after stopping off for lunch and then collecting some provisions, we came home!  We have enjoyed our few weeks afloat, but it will be bliss to be home for a couple of days at least!  

We shall not be idle, the grass needs cutting, the hedge needs clipping and the outboard needs collecting!