Rafting with the Missionaries

Over the August Bank Holiday weekend Nancy Blackett joined in a “Secret Water” adventure that was organised by Royal Cruising Club members, and it all went ahead very successfully. Along with other “mother ships”, several youngsters sailed dinghies and enjoyed camping adventures ashore, in real “Swallows and Amazons” style.

The Friday evening saw a temporary camp erected at the Royal Harwich Yacht Club. Everyone enjoyed some last moments of civilisation before separating the following day into dinghy sailors (as many as could be crammed into a Wayfarer) and an Enterprise and support vessels filled largely with camping stores.

The Saturday was bright and the flotilla enjoyed a grand beat out to Harwich harbour, with everyone working the ropes with a will and all sails filled. The dinghy sailors had arrived first in “Secret Water” and were eagerly disembarking their gear and setting up camp on the highest point of “Flint Island” by mid-afternoon.

Round the camp fire

A huge camp fire was built and that evening everyone joined in a barbecue. It was wet and dark but they all ate well. Commodore Hugh Clay and his wife from the Royal Cruising Club and Nancy Blackett Trust Chairman Roger Sturge sailed round as part of the fleet and added distinction to the gathering.

The Sunday saw an exploration round “Secret Water” to the “Mango Islands” in a stiff breeze, during which the two 12-year-olds in a Topper capsized twice but came up smiling each time.

After rafting up for crew changes and iron rations, Nancy Blackett turned round and headed back through “Secret Water” and the Twizzle to meet up again with the rest of the fleet at the entrance to the “Red Sea”, which was by now shrinking.

The explorers had reached “Witches Quay” and sailed down “Goblin Creek”, going aground by “Bridget Island”. Later, it was back to camp for splatchering (which proved most satisfactory on sand), followed by another campfire supper.

Nancy Blackett – the real Goblin

A typical Bank Holiday Monday brought continuing northerly winds and damp hazy conditions for the return to the Orwell, and looked pretty uncomfortable with increasing wind and rain as the camp was taken down.

Braving an unusually high and fast-rushing spring tide, the bedraggled and somewhat scattered flotilla eventually arrived back in the Orwell and, after hot drinks all round and a final crew swap, the ships and their crews departed for their respective ports.

Huge thanks are due to Jane and David Russell for inviting the Nancy Blackett Trust to be involved in such a “Ransomish” event (greatly enjoyed by all), and also to the young sailors whose expertise and determination made it a most uplifting experience.

Royal Cruising Club members of all ages expressed their delight that Nancy Blackett was able to take part, and all involved hoped that we could collaborate in this way in the future.

Our album of photos from the weekend is on Flickr.

Reporting by John Smith, Roger Sturge and Judy Taylor
Photos by David and Jane Russell and others

This story was compiled from members’ stories originally published in our members’ newsletter. The newsletter is published regularly with more members’ sailing stories and other news and is free if you become a member of the Nancy Blackett Trust.