Into the Thames Estuary






Another early start to catch the tide and we get a quick lecture on the tides in the North Sea off the Thames. Dylan waits for the tide with an Iroquois catamaran called Mistoffelees before motoring off up towards the North Foreland passing the No 5 SCM off Ramsgate. He passes along the last of the White Cliffs of the South Coast looking forward to the muddy creeks further up the Thames. Having rounded the North Foreland “Moments” settles down to a downwind run along the North Kent coast; at first goose winged and then, with the Raymarine Auto-tiller in charge of the steering the spinnaker is set and the journey proceeds at a gentle SOG of 2.5 to 3.0 knots. Dylan seems unperturbed by the slow speed and relaxes with his back against the cabin bulkhead and feet up, enjoying the early spring sun.