Owner:
squiz
Member
Member#: 6644 Location: Registered: 27-05-2007 Diary Entries: 3070
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9th August 2020
Windsurfing: Bradfield Wind Direction: NE Wind Stength: 5/14 Surf / Sea State: smooth Air Temperature: Sea Temperature: Weather: Sunny and hot :) Max Speed: 16.05 (knots - unless stated otherwise) Distance Covered: 23 miles (Nautical Miles - unless stated otherwise)
Sunday 9th August – bike **** – cuppa at Landguard – sunny.
Our plan was to head over to Bradfield again today to hopefully make the
most of the good forecast ENE breeze so we had plenty of time in the
morning so when Mag suggested we go to the old jetty at Landguard for a
cuppa I jumped at the chance. We were a little late leaving home around 8
heading straight down to the prom which was busy with joggers, personally I
think they should give it up as I have never seen so many pained faces and
do something that brings a smile to your face, it’s much more fun on a
bike! The caravans are still parked at The Manor car park:( along with a
large campervan with a big generator, personally I can see no please
parking up for the weekend in a busy car park, where is the pleasure in
that? Through Landguard Nature reserve or as we call it ‘Bunny Heaven’
to sit on the old railway sleepers for our cuppa to watch the boat action,
no ships but loads of yachts making the most of a good NE breeze:) Then
back into a good headwind which boded well for a good windsurfing session
later!
Sunday 9th August - Windsurf **** - River Stour at Bradfield – sunny and
hot.
Exocet RF 91 AST with Slingshot Hover Glide 76 with Tushingham Lightning
8.5m.
Foil – 16.05 knot max, 14.95 knot ave., 8.41 knot hour, 11.54 knot mile,
36.95 km., 11.23 knot alpha.
After the nice short but sweet bike ride this morning, we had breakfast and
while I did my exercises in the back-garden Mag prepared lunch and dinner
for our afternoon in Essex as we were not really prepared for yesterday! A
few were already at my local spot, The Dip but I thought it would be nice
to head over to the Stour to get away from the crowds in Felixstowe and
tide water here is not always the best. We left home just after midday day
with the hope of doing an hour on the fin with wind around 20 knots in
Felixstowe I was expecting loads more on the river as the wind usually
funnels through increasing its strength! Sadly, after yesterday’s real
bonus foil session when I was not expecting to get flying todays session
was a bit of a let down as it was probably lighter than yesterday! Super
keen Neil was there and itching to get out but the wind was very light, so
we set up as yesterday and had lunch and watched the action. This is a
wonderful spot to while away the hours even if the wind doesn’t play
ball, the farmer who owns the field seemed to be hosting a family get
together and it was lovely to see all the kids having a great time,
swimming and on Stand up Paddle boards, there was even a small dinghy
launching and a few canoes! Loads of windsurfers had turned up in hope of a
sail and not just foilers, with Neil again the first to hit the water
closely followed by me. Sadly, it was very light to start with and it must
have taken three crossings of the river before there was enough to pump up
and fly. Then we had a good spell of flying as I beat down the river with
the hope of making it to Shotley. You had to rigorously pump to get flying
which does take its toll on a poor old pensioner but that is the only way
to fly. Once up you could keep it going for nice long runs but you did need
a little more for really good upwind angles but good fun none the less:)
Then just past Wrabness the wind dropped off and I had t slog back only
flying in short bursts! Once back at the beach I had a couple of more runs
across the river but it was hard work and I was absolutely knackered as I
had been out well over three hours so time to call it a day. Mag had had a
lovely time sitting under our big red garden parasol, reading, knitting and
socialising and being entertained by the fun on the beach in front of the
van, it was like a scene from ‘Swallows and Amazons’, she loved it:)
Never has a cuppa been more welcome as I was gasping! We had cake time with
Andy and Neil which was lovely just sitting in the sun before packing up.
Mag heated up the enchiladas which were yummy as everyone left and we had
it all to ourselves as the sun set. The wind could have been better but you
just can’t beat a day out on the River Stour at Bradfield and we had the
most amazing sunset as we drove back to Felixtowe – top weekend:)
PS - surprisingly there was way more wind at Felixstowe so most who hit the
water today had fun in the sun :)
Photo Gallery Here
MK booms Here
77 Sports (Exocet) Here
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