This section summarises the Lady Martina 2015 cruising season.  

{gallery}2015/cruisingplans-2015{/gallery}

Whilst plans were always subject to the weather, the serviceability of the vessel and health and well-being of the crew, this outcome bears a close resemblance to our original cruising intentions and acted as a guide for friends and family who we would have liked to have visited us as valued guests.

As our plans for individual cruises were more advanced, thenhad their own entry with all of the necessary details added as usual. The links take the reader to the details of each passage as they happened. 

Section I 17th May Proving cruises to Dunkirk for the 70th Little Ships anniversary 

17^th or 20^th  May Lowestoft  to Ramsgate http://www.ladymartina.com/cruise-logs/2014-4/east-coast-cruises-2/brundall-to-lowestoft-8

c21st  May Ramsgate to Dunkirk http://www.ladymartina.com/cruise-logs/2014-4/east-coast-cruises-2/brundall-to-lowestoft-7

24^th-25^th May Dunkirk to Ramsgate or Lowestoft http://www.ladymartina.com/cruise-logs/2014-4/east-coast-cruises-2/brundall-to-lowestoft-9

4^th-8^th June Lowestoft to Southwold and return . Update: We had to cancel this and not take part

Section II 14th June onwards South coast cruise from Ramsgate to Lymington in the Solent via Brighton/Eastbourne, Portsmouth, Southampton, Cowes and Yarmouth IOW

Part 1. 14th June Ramsgate to Eastbourne see http://www.ladymartina.com/cruise-logs/2014-4/east-coast-cruises-4/brundall-to-lowestoft-10

Part 2. 16th June  Eastbourne to Brighton  see http://www.ladymartina.com/cruise-logs/2014-4/east-coast-cruises-4/brundall-to-lowestoft-11

Part 3. 18th June Brighton to Portsmouth see http://www.ladymartina.com/cruise-logs/2014-4/east-coast-cruises-4/brundall-to-lowestoft-12

Part 4. 20th June Portsmouth to Itchin Marine http://ladymartina.com/cruise-logs/2014-4/east-coast-cruises-4/brundall-to-lowestoft-13

Part 5. 28th June Itchin Marine to East Cowes http://www.ladymartina.com/cruise-logs/2014-4/east-coast-cruises-4/brundall-to-lowestoft-14

Part 6. Wed 1st July Cowes  to Yarmouth IOW http://www.ladymartina.com/cruise-logs/2014-4/east-coast-cruises-4/brundall-to-lowestoft-14

Part 7. Thurs 2nd July Yarmouth IOW to Itchin Marine http://ladymartina.com/cruise-logs/2014-4/east-coast-cruises-4/brundall-to-lowestoft-15

Shore Leave:

Thurs 2nd July Drive to Norfolk via Watford for Kathleen's home visit 

Fri 3rd July Dog Max to Kennels am then drive back via Watford to Itchin Marine

Section III 3rd July onwards Channel Islands Cruise from Yarmouth IOW via Cherbourg, Guernsey, Jersey Cherbourg France 

Part 1. Sun 5th July  Itchin Marine to Cherbourg http://ladymartina.com/cruise-logs/2014-4/east-coast-cruises-5/brundall-to-lowestoft-15

Part 2. Mon 6th July  Cherbourg to St Peter's Port Guernsey http://ladymartina.com/cruise-logs/2014-4/east-coast-cruises-5/brundall-to-lowestoft-16

Part 3. Fri 11th July St Peter's Port Guernsey to St Hellier, Jersey http://www.ladymartina.com/cruise-logs/2014-4/east-coast-cruises-5/brundall-to-lowestoft-17

Part 4 Wed 15th July St Helier, Jersey to Cherbourg. http://www.ladymartina.com/cruise-logs/2014-4/east-coast-cruises-5/brundall-to-lowestoft-18

Shore Leave:

Thurs 16th July 17.00 Ferry Cherbourg  to Portsmouth arrive 1900;  then train from Portsmouth to  Southampton to  collect car and drive to Norfolk

Fri 17th July Dog Max from Kennels am then

Sat 18th July Max to Lucy Forder, at noon 

Sun 19th July Drive to Ramsgate to leave car and train to Portsmouth for 1600 ferry to Cherbourg arr 20.00

Section IV 20th July onwards Normandy Cruise from Cherbourg, via Normany Coast,  France to Ramsgate

Part 1. Mon 20th July  Cherbourg to St Vaast le Hogue 29nm 3hrs http://www.ladymartina.com/cruise-logs/2014-4/east-coast-cruises-6/brundall-to-lowestoft-19

Part 3. Wed 23rd July St Vaast to Grand Camp Maisy  28nm 3hrs 30mins http://www.ladymartina.com/cruise-logs/2014-4/east-coast-cruises-6/brundall-to-lowestoft-20

Part 4. Fri 25th July Grand Camp Maisy to Port En Bessin 14nm 1hr 45mins http://www.ladymartina.com/cruise-logs/2014-4/east-coast-cruises-6/brundall-to-lowestoft-21

Part 5  Sun 26th July Port En Bessin to Caen 32nm 4hrs 25mins http://www.ladymartina.com/cruise-logs/2014-4/east-coast-cruises-6/brundall-to-lowestoft-22

Part 6. Thur 30th July Caen  via Ouistrehem to St Valery En Caux  64nm 9hrs 15mins http://www.ladymartina.com/cruise-logs/2014-4/east-coast-cruises-6/brundall-to-lowestoft-23

Part 7 Sat 1st August St Valery En Caux to  Boulogne 64nm 8hrs http://www.ladymartina.com/cruise-logs/2014-4/east-coast-cruises-6/brundall-to-lowestoft-24

Part 8 Sun 2nd  August Boulogne to Ramsgate 39nm 4hrs 30mins (planned) http://www.ladymartina.com/cruise-logs/2014-4/east-coast-cruises-6/brundall-to-lowestoft-25 

Shore Leave:

Tuesday 4th to  August  drive to Norfolk Collect  Dog Max from Lucy Forder

Wed 5th - Sat 8th August Norfolk

Sun 9th August Max Drive to Ramsgate to leave car and board Lady Martina

Section V Monday 10th August onwards East Coast Cruise back to Norfolk

Part 1. Monday 10th August Ramsgate to Ipswich 58nm 6hrs 45mins http://www.ladymartina.com/cruise-logs/2014-4/east-coast-cruises-7/brundall-to-lowestoft-26

Part 2. Tuesday 11th August Ipswich to Lowestoft 52nm 6hrs 30 mins http://www.ladymartina.com/cruise-logs/2014-4/east-coast-cruises-7/brundall-to-lowestoft-27

Part 3. Wednesday 12th August Lowestoft to Horning 32nm 6hrs 30mins http://www.ladymartina.com/cruise-logs/2014-4/east-coast-cruises-7/brundall-to-lowestoft-28

These are the details of our planned cruise for the 14th May 2015 from Great Yarmouth to Wells-next-the-Sea, which involved cruising around the North Norfolk Coast into this lovely picturesque port. This had been planned to be undertaken with a group of Broom Boats from the Owners Club, a passage of around 7 hours at 8-10 knots through the water, with two of those hours manoeuvring in rivers and estuaries. The sea passage would have started with the benefit of the north-going ebb tide off of Yarmouth and we had hoped that the prevailing breeze would be from from the south-west and so trusted that both of these factors of wind and tide would have been with us,  the 2 knot tide speeding us to our destination. Then we would have been be negotiating the difficult shifting sandbanks and channel into Wells harbour, which are never to be taken too lightly. It is hoped to resume these plans with better weather and more daylight in June

{gallery}2015/yarmouth-wells{/gallery}

This passage would have taken us around a couple of hours and around 12 nautical miles down the Yare from Brundall, under the Reedham Swing Bridge until we then joined the rest of the fleet at Berney Arms. Once assembled there, and briefed, the fleet will cruise across Breydon Water for some 45mins before we pass under the Breydon and Haven bridges (that will lift for us by prior arrangement) before we then steam along the inner harbour and beyond the piers into the Yarmouth Road to enter the sea proper around 11.30am Local Time. At this point two boats would have been arriving offshore from Hull

The passage waypoints I had planned would have taken Lady Martina through the 'Cockle Gateway' north of the Scroby sands  and around the North Norfolk coast, keeping a couple of miles offshore and thus avoiding both the 'overfalls' or bumpy water that is characteristic of strong tides passing over shallows further inshore.  This offshore route also had the advantage of avoiding the many and varied fishing marks and crab pots for which the shelf off of Cromer is understandably very well known!

The open sea passage would have been some 52 miles and was itself planned to take around 4hrs 45mins, arriving at the Wells Harbour bar (the sand bank outside the Well Harbour Channel) at around High Water at 3.15pm Local Time and, preferably, a little before, when we would have then skirted west of the Wells leading buoy and then steered between the red Port and green Starboard buoys that line the recently altered channel. 

We would then have finally have tied up at the splendid new pontoons that make mooring in Wells so easy these days and a very different experience to that I had some ten years ago, when I last visited Wells in my former vessel, the Paxton Princess, when i had to trade half a bottle of whisky to borrow a ladder for shore access from the skipper of The Walrus dredger :-) . If all went well, I wouldl then have taken the bus to Carrow Road on Saturday to see Norwich City complete their play-off semifinal against Ipswich Town as we planned to stay in port until Sunday 18th May, before our return. I also had a hire car booked from Crmer and buses linked for its collection and return. Ugghh!

The Weather was eventually forecast for 8 degC→10 DegC ; RH tba→tba%; 1017→1009 mb falling  rapidly ; We were hoping for smooth/slight seas; good visibility; and light breezes, but the detail shown in the Cruise Data box to the right gives latest predictions (as at morning Tuesday 12/5/2015) of fresh F4/5 16-18 knot breezes from the E and NE and moderate seas) was aborted by mutual consent for now. This forecast also had fresh to strong breezes later in the planned weekend trip would also make exit from Wells even more difficult too.

It is hoped to resume plans for such a trip in June with better weather and more daylight so watch this space and the BOC website.

A very peaceful and placid cruise in mainly dull but quiet and thendry weather past the Harwich Container terminal, turning up the River Orwell and following the buoyed channel at just over the 5kn speed limit spotting the countless sailing clubs and swinging moorings that line this route. Much of the time training my crew Kathleen to operate the auto-pilot, recognise the buoys and plot our position on paper charts using the Yeoman navigator plotting table. Then passing under the towering Orwell flyover bridge before locking through into Ipswich Dock and mooring at The Ipswich Haven Marina for the evening

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The cruise plan was to stay in Shotley Marina for a further day, but the weather was cold and damp making the morning dog walk something of a trial and so further excursions were not a very appealing thought. The quest for some facilities and a more reliable Internet connection therefore took us through the marina lock and off up the Orwell where the Ipswich Haven Marina promised these things. The BOC members cruise was scheduled to join us there tomorrow anyway and we were offered the same discounted terms for arriving a day early. 

After a nice farewell light lunch aboard Misty Isle, we gave Max a last walk in the light rain, stowed his dog ramp aboard and, after radioing the lock on ch 80, set off to find it set for us and space to descend alongside the floating pontoons. Setting the fenders low, we tied up and followed a sailing vessel outward bound, with Lady Martina keeping to the channel and, unlike them, not being swept to starboard by the flood tide. The next hour was given over to training for my crew Kathleen, in log-taking, manual chart plotting and generally understanding and using the bridge equipment. Then a chance for her to take the helm for her first time in a buoyed channel until I took over the helm for the lock into Ipswich Dock

By our 1700 LT arrival the Marina staff had gone home and, with there being no answer from either the VHF or marina telephone, we found our own moorings, acquired the gate and facilities code from other boat crews and then settled down to walk the dog and view the town. And, yes, the Wifi was perfect; being fast and reliable to the point that these log entries were uploaded this Sunday evening  

20degC steady on the bridge, 15degC outside ; RH 53→46%; 1008→1007mb steady ; smooth seas; good/visibility; light breeze and showers at first.

These are the actual details of our cruise on 1st May 2015 from Ipswich to Great Yarmouth, which then was extended to complete the cruise up the River Yare to Brundall, where we moored once again at Broom Boats. This was undertaken early in the morning until late in the afternoon, a sea passage of over 10 hours at 6-8 knots through the water, with three of those  hours manoeuvring in rivers and estuaries . It was started firstly against the flood tide off of Harwich as the breeze was from the north-east as expected at that time and so, even though both of these factors of wind and tide were against us,  the two acting in concert  minimised the waves to about 0.8m, which were 'smooth' seas. Later on the 2 knot tide will be with us but against the wind and waves rose to near 1m in seas still considered to be 'slight to moderate' in nautical parlance. 

{gallery}2015/ipswich-yarmouth{/gallery}

This complete passage took us around 72 nautical miles down the Orwell, past Harwich and then follows the coast of Suffolk and Norfolk, preferring the deeper water and avoiding the sandbanks until we enter the inshore waters of Lowestoft and then Great Yarmouth before cruising up the Port of Yarmouth to catch a pre-booked rise of the Haven Bridge at 4pm LT, after which we crossed Breydon Water and first stopped at Berney Arms to walk our patient dog Max and then carried on up to Brundall. 

This cruise was due to be undertaken with fellow Broom Owners' Boats Moonbow and Escape II, with whom we had already cruised through Ipswich Dock lock and down the Orwell to moor up at Woolverstone for the night. Then, from 8.30am onwards we will continue with additional Brooms expected to join the convoy after a later start from Ipswich. However, Moonbow had family problems and had to leave Woolverstone in the night and Escape II was plagued with engine problems on one side which restricted their speed to 8 knots (days later, they discovered an eel had lodged itself in the inlet manifold!!) 

The remainder of the cruise steamed on towards Lowestoft on an inshore passage and pulled well ahead of us but were troubled with the lobster and crab pots that populated that choice of route and kept their attention focussed on getting back in a 'bumpy' sea. We were happier in an offshore route via The Sledway and so were left to supervise Escape II safely back through Yarmouth and up to Reedham. 

Weather 17degC→28degC→18degC ; RH 45→27→34%; 1010→1011mb steady ; smooth/slight/mod seas; good/visibility; light breeze fresh at times

A challenging coastal cruise in company with BOC members in manageable weather from Lowestoft to Shotley, in F4 13-16kn wind and, with the SSW penultimate leg undertaken with wind against tide, making the sl./mod. seems to be more moderate than slight!  The weather was milder than of late but windier and wet with heavy rain and showers before the sun broke through for our arrival.  The correct transit and procedures to approach Shotley Marina and a straight forward lock operation into the basin.

{gallery}2015/lowestoft-shotley{/gallery}

The cruise was originally planned to start a couple of hours later but it was decided over by a consensus of boat skippers the night before, to move before 9.00am LT so as to get shelter before the stronger winds arrived later. This worked well for the start of the cruise as the tide was against us (but with the wind) thus flattening the sea but later on the tide turned in our favour, but against the wind, making the sea for our long south- south-westerly leg moderate rather than slight.

Wind was averaging around 14kn (exactly as the GRIB weather forecast had indicated) and started off at c13kn and then peaked at 16kn, still within the F4 range.  The cruise was led by Ken on Gentle One and followed firstly by Yorkshire Belle II and Misty Isle who set off near to the pace of the leader at c15kn but the fleet soon become strung out. I held back and kept an eye on Escape II and Moonbow, who were experiencing problems on passage with mechanical problems and the conditions but everybody managed well. Some of the vessels had no functioning radar (either due to non-fitment or unfamiliarity) and so lost visual contact with each other as viz deteriorated to around 2nm at times but they were all operating on the same passage plan.

Arrival at Shotley was straightforward, with the channel posts easily lined up with the lock entrance and there was just the challenge of deploying ropes in fenders in the tideway. Berths were alongside on linear pontoon G for the larger vessels and finger pontoons, the other side of G, for the rest. There was a modest extra charge for electricity but water was free and WiFi (by code from the lock office) was free but of poor connective quality. Very good toliets and showers are provided at two locations within the site

On site were a small chandlers, which sold some provisions, a restaurant and bar with a children's area and some outside tables with dog water bowls. Apart from that, walks were available but made difficult by (an apparently recently-installed) locked security gates, which was a shame.  

20→18→25degC ; RH 63→44%; 1003→1004mb steady ; slight/mod seas; good/mod visibility; lively breeze and rainy/cold weather

A good two-day trip and coastal cruise in very calm weather from Brundall to Great Yarmouth and then on the next day to Lowestoft to moor for an evening dinner at the Royal Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club.  The fine weather was beckoning for us to cruise further to avoid the poorer weather forecast for the days to come,  but, with the cruise in company itinerary and arrangements already made, we moored in Lowestoft and enjoyed time with our Broom Owners friends. A very good training run for new crew member, Kathleen, who handled the ropes and fenders well and was drawing compliments from colleagues whilst she was also learning about the boat instrumentation so as to be able to take log readings on the bridge.

{gallery}2015/brundall-lowestoft{/gallery}

Thursday 23rd April 2015: The cruise started in absolutely magical weather from Brundall as we were joined by Andrew and his crew in Broom boat, Yorkshire Belle, and then cruised steadily downstream together, passing Strumpshaw Fen nature reserve, The Beauchamp Arms and Hardely Mill.  It was noticeable how high the water had been with much of the bank-side vegetation under water and dried mud on the surface of the quay as we swung round to moor against the tide at The Berney Arms. We found Misty Isle already moored and then were soon joined by Moonbow to make a Broom Owners fleet of four. This was a great location to walk our very active GSP dog, Max, and he enjoyed the countryside just a day or two after the swallows had arrived for the summer. Some drinks aboard Misty Isle, courtesy of the owners, and then to eat and early to bed ready for the sea trip the next day. All three GPS sets had been uploaded with the course from my laptop which was running v12 of the MaxSea navigation software.

Friday 24th April 2015: an early start in good time to cross Breydon Water and with time to spare to undergo a few speed runs on Lady Martina peaking at 19 knots over the ground at 2500 revs with no problems experienced with either over-heating, vibration or fuel supply. Lady Martina took the lead and made the necessary calls as Andrew on Yorkshire Belle was having VHF problems.  We were able to cruise steadily as a compact fleet passing under the Breydon and Haven Bridges, which both lifted for us. A blissful trip down the coast on a smooth sea and we felt some disappointment that we could not carry on cruising as the weather had been so fine; but we stayed with the fleet and then and tied up at the RNSYC in Lowestoft, washed the boat free of the salt and then took Max for his walk. This,  before planning the following day's cruise, doing some shopping and then attending our evening club dinner in the clubhouse. 

25→28→20degC ; RH 47→33→44%; 1021→1009mb falling ; smooth seas; good/mod visibility; light breeze and sunny weather

Mid-winter re-positioning cruise for Lady Martina to Brooms at Brundall for annual mechanical service, sea-cock replacement, anti-fouling and the provision of a new canopy from Customcraft. The cruise plan provide Kathleen with experience and  me the opportunity to replace the interior lighting with dimmable LED's as she took the helm.

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Sunday January 25th was a cold and windy day with clouds threatening, and we already had to stop, moor and drop our mast and canopy at Acle Bridge to get under the 11ft headroom. The weather also made a transit of Great Yarmouth that evening preferable but this involved cruising under the Bure Bridges and across Breydon Water at dusk and mooring up at The Berney Arms in the dark, which was accomplished with the crew getting a bit cold and shaky until sent inside for shelter and warmth! 

The final leg from Berney Arms to Brundall was accomplished with only a small wait for the Reedham Swing Bridge but the overnight downpour and strengthening wind to around 30 knots was best accomplished in the morning on the open River Yare, thus vindicating our passage of Breydon at dusk in the dry the night before. The overnight stay at the very bleak and deserted Berney Arms moorings proved the domestic systems and heating were working well and the new LED interior lighting was effective and efficient.