Mid Sept 2016 – Ramsgate to Ipswich

6th September – Eastbourne To Ramsgate

A beautifully sunny early morning greeted us as we departed Eastbourne for Ramsgate.  We just made the 06:30 lock, so we were half an hour ahead of schedule.  We knew it was going to be a long day so every advantage helps. 

Calm, glassy sea with the sun popping through the cloud.

We had two options today.  Option 1 was to go to Dover and complete the extra 15 miles the following day.  Option 2 was to go the full 61 miles straight to Ramsgate.

The sea was calm but the undercurrents were strong.  We rocked passed Dungeness Power Station and continued onto Dover.

Dover with Cruise ship.  We had two ferry encounters but steered well clear.

South Foreland, just after Dover.

Option 2 won and we arrived in Ramsgate at 1730 with a running tide and slid in without any problems.  The Border Force were there to greet us.  I think even our humble journeys make you realise what a huge task they have to protect our coastline.

7th September – Wednesday

A boat called Beowulf arrived today which we have seen several times in France this year, so if was nice to finally speak to them.

Later a French boat arrived and there was a bit of commotion as they wrestled with their Genoa (front sail).  The owner then knocked on our boat brandishing a very old Allen key saying simply ‘this’, which meant ‘Do you have one of these?’  A good hour of Entente Cordiale then occurred with several versions of Allen keys being produced from The Mother Ship/Mick’s mega tool stash, to finally solve the problem.  While out at sea the furling mechanism at the bottom of their sail had failed and they could not bring the sail in.  So he was very grateful to have it fixed, drinks were offered but we had already made dinner so we declined (another first).

Mid sail mend with the light fading.

8th September – Thursday

Anyone who knows us, knows that we like historical stuff and free stuff, so free historical stuff is a great day, another weekend of Heritage Open Days begins.  They are sometimes a bit sneaky and some of the things are only open on weekdays so planning is required to schedule things in the correct order to take FULL advantage of the events on offer.  The tourist office had a leaflet showing the places on offer and their opening times (homework).

Day 1

The Grange was the home of Augustus Pugin and his family, who is billed as the ‘designer of the Houses of Parliament’.  There was the house, the presbytery and his church to explore.

The house

The dining room showing off his Gothic style.  The house is now part of the Landmark Trust who take on derelict buildings and bring them back to life and then offer them for hire to guests.  The house will take 8 people and costs £2,000 for per week to hire.  Which works out at £50 per person per night.

Next stop ‘The Italianate Glasshouse’ is a Grand II listed glass house dating back to the early 19th century.  It is normally free to enter and has a cafe which is famed for its cream teas.  It is located in the George VI Memorial Park, which is on the east cliffs outside Ramsgate.

Mick outside what he called the ‘Cold Frame’, as what you see is all there is!

So having walked half way to Broadstairs, and it only being 13:00, we continued onto Broadstairs along the coastal path.

It was a beautiful day for a walk.

Next stop ‘Dickens House Museum’. 

The house was a tea parlour, often visited by Dickens on his many visits to Broadstairs and houses a collection of his belongings.  The character of Betsy Trotwood  in David Copperfield was based on the proprietor Miss Mary Pearson Strong.

I think Mick felt a bit cheated by this afternoon’s offerings and was soothed by ice-cream before the walk back.  I had English Trifle ice-cream another first.

The return walk was enhanced when Mick spotted these urban foxes.  They were living in a hole in a site which is fenced off on the promenade after a failed hotel build.  It is easily seen from the upper promenade but totally secluded on the lower promenade and they live in relative privacy.

9th September – Friday

Day 2

Just two places today.  The Maritime Museum is a very prominent feature on the sea front and we were hopeful.

Sadly the interior is very tired and a little chaotic, the saving grace was a very good video about the evacuation of Dunkirk, as many of the ships hailed from Ramsgate.

Next stop the Micro Museum.

No prizes for guessing who was looking forward to this one!  And I have to admit it did not disappoint.  But at our age it was like having your life flash before your eyes.  From the earliest calculator, game and computer to the most modern.  Gamers are even allowed to play all the retro games on one of the many systems set up around the museum.

Showcase of vintage computers.  The museum is a private collection and is not open every day, check the internet if you are interested.  Its a little gem, small but perfectly formed.

We had a lovely evening with Mark and Dawn, who visited the boat and then we went for a good meal at the Thai Orchid above the marina.  It was really good to meet up and we look forward to seeing them again.  Thanks we really appreciate the visit.

10th September – Saturday

Day Three

The Steam Tug Cervia is the first stop of the day.  It is a rare example of steam ship development.

The visit was escorted by an enthusiastic volunteer who explained the history and the full tour from wheel house to engine room and stoking the boilers.

Mick next to the Steam Powered assisted steering wheel.  When tugging at full strain the wheel was very heavy and this clever device made it possible. 

Next stop is the Defence of the Nation Museum, which is in the entrance of the Ramsgate Tunnels.  These were railway tunnels used as air-raid shelters during the war.  Sadly the tunnels were not part of the visit but the museum was interesting, if still a work in progress.  Outside were several stalls on various subjects.  We particularly liked the Home Front bus.

The bus is a mobile exhibit of life during the war, which travels round to schools etc.  There is a typical front room of the time, air-raid shelter, bombed out street scene and a shop.  It is really well done.

The Thanet Archaeology Trust stand had a good selection of items which you could handle.

Being able to feel real items and appreciate their weights and densities really adds a fascinating dimension.

Me and Helen Harrington who was a joy to talk to, for her enthusiasm, in depth knowledge and humour.

Last stop St Lawrence-in-Thanet church.  We were advised that the walk was worth it to visit St Lawrence so off we went. 

Grade I listed, St Lawrence can trace its beginnings to 1062.  Mostly Norman architecture we trusted its strength to scale the tower.

Along the duck boards on the roof to the bell ringers chamber.

And then for the intrepid a steep climb on narrow ladders passed the bells and up 3 more sets to the roof and a glorious view of Ramsgate and beyond.  As it is soooo flat around here you can see a long way.  After a reviving cupper we had a demonstration of hand-bell ringing and then an invitation for volunteers to have a go.

Check out bell ringer number 4.

And the concentration. 

So that is the end of our Heritage Open Days visits as we are travelling to Ipswich tomorrow.  What I really love about the open days is that you go to places you would not necessarily visit and most are a great surprise and very enjoyable. 

11th September – Sunday – Ramsgate to Ipswich

Ramsgate to Ipswich is a 58 mile trip where the tides have to be calculated well and there is the Thames Estuary to cross, wind farms, cargo ships and Felixstowe to negotiate finishing with a tide dependent trip one and a half hours up the River Orwell and through a lock.  With all that in mind we set off at 05:30 to catch the north going tide.  We first passed the Thanet wind farm, then encountered two huge cargo ships entering the Thames.

Windmills in the distance.

Then the London Array windfarm in the outer Thames Estuary.  There are 175 turbines and it is the largest offshore windfarm in the world and the largest in Europe by megawatt capacity.  All I know is that it takes some passing.

Mick had planned our trip to perfection and we passed under the Orwell bridge around 16:15 to make the 16:30 lock opening.

At the end of a very long but sunny day all you need is a full lock with a Thames Barge as company just to add to the days excitement.  Tick!!!

Fleur is now happily moored in her temporary berth until a permanent winter berth is allocated.