The Victoria Shadow Association

 

The East Coast Rally to Brightlingsea took place on Saturday, 27th June in near perfect conditions. The wind was light but sufficient for sailing and hot sunshine was the order of the day. Two early arrivals were Peter Allen's Victoria 800, 'Volante' that was up from Benfleet on a cruising holiday and the Frances 26, 'Maria Frances', normally on a fore-aft mooring in Brightlingsea but positioned by John and Wann Sadler to the visitors' pontoon to act as our host boat. Anne Grubb, our East Coast Organiser, as well as being the Chair of The Association, was on hand to welcome the boats as they arrived during the day. Frances 26, 'Jenter' arrived from Burnham on Crouch with Peter and Jenny Cosker. Owen Clarkson and his crew had sailed the Victoria 30, 'Rosy Brier', all the way from Gillingham on the River Medway the previous day before anchoring off.

'Redwing' and 'Volante' lie alongside the visitors' pontoon at Brightlingsea

 

'Jenter' and 'Rosy Brier'		Again, from astern

 

'Margo' and 'Maria Frances'		'Friska' has to raft against a non-association boat

 

Chas Argent had sailed the Frances 26, 'Margo', from Maldon earlier and anchored off Brightlingsea for the night. 'Redwing', Martin Hunt's Frances 26, was another boat to sail from the River Crouch being based at Creeksea. Glenys was able to join us later by road. The last arrival was the Frances 26, 'Friska' with Jerry Croft. Jerry had been obliged to wait for high tide to be able to leave Tollesbury, where he is based. That gave us a grand total of seven boats. We were soon to learn that two of the boats had problems. 'Margo' had sailed over her buoyed anchor and snagged the line. This was successfully resolved the following morning. 'Volante' had an engine that wouldn't start, which was very surprising as the engine was almost new. Various possibilities were being investigated but it seemed that 'Volante' might have to remain at Brightlingsea for a day or two, at least.

Anne Grubb, East Coast Organiser and Chair of The Association

 

After renewing old friendships and comparing notes about boats it was time for the serious business, which requires no explanation.

 

The ferryman was summoned and we then retired to the Colne Yacht Club for dinner. Pictures will be added here when they are available. Watch this space! The following day was misty with a heavy overcast, which took quite a time to clear before the sun again returned.

 

'Redwing' departs in the early morning overcast conditions		Chas is able to recover the line and buoy from the stern

 

Smiles all round when the sun breaks through		'Friska' departs

 

Jerry Croft took this photograph as he departed aboard 'Friska'		... and this photograph of Victoria Yachts in the River Cone

 

It is hoped to add further photographs of 'Rosy Brier' and 'Jenter' taken in the River Colne by John and Wann Sadler. Our thanks go to John and Wann Sadler for offering 'Maria Frances' as the host boat  and to Anne Grubb, wearing her East Coast Organiser's hat (cap), for making all the arrangements.