On a blowy day the East Coast Hardys got together and decided to make a trip to Ipswich for a weekend of food, wine and of course boating!
Typically the met office predicted a force 8 to 9 from the West but undeterred in normal ‘Hardy’ style we decided to leave for Ipswich.
After a false start Iain & John (42, Meridian Star) left around 11am. Sally and Mark (50, Lysithea) in true fashion left last at 11.45am but arrived first in Ipswich around 14.30 hours.
Perry, Martine and their 4 crew (50, Kismet) were not far behind leaving from Burnham on Crouch. Also Russ and Peter (36, Havana Papa) from Burnham who, following a similar false start arrived shortly afterwards. Ian and Elizabeth Young (36, Lottie) were already in Ipswich and arranged to meet us Saturday evening.
Mark and Sally decided there was only one thing to do whilst waiting for the others to arrive, go to the pub called the Nelson! After having a few drinks the others arrived to join us.
Nick (who was on Perry’s boat) kindly arranged for us to eat in the Loch Fyne restaurant at 19.00 hours which was lovely and then we went back to the Nelson.
The next day was wet and windy so we all decided to have a relaxing day. Mark , as usual, was doing maintenance jobs on owner’s boats whilst the majority sat on Kismet drinking wine!
Next we went to the pub again before going onto a Chinese where Ian and Elizabeth joined us for dinner. It was Elizabeth’s birthday so she was brought out a desert with candles which was gratefully received.
After the meal Mark decided to do one of his ‘famous’ speeches. After much bantering between Mark and others, who proved equally capable of speaking, it was decided that the ‘east coast’ group will be planning to go to Ostend, Amsterdam or somewhere across the sea next season.
We finally ended up in a bar called ‘Isaacs’ to have a night cap and then decided to do the sensible thing for once and went to our berths.
Everyone departed for home Sunday. Some were later than others leaving but the better passage in a strong southerly was definitely to the north. Mark seemed to remember something about wind over tide from Yacht masters! Mark even slowed down, just a little!
We all had a great time despite the weather and look forward to meeting up again next year.
11.12.07
