My Sailing Trip with The Classic Sailing Club

I found a wonderful yacht charter company that is based in Pin Mill on the river Orwell, this is within 30 mins from most of my cottages and just a few hundred yards from Charlies Cottage.

What is great about the company is that it only has beautiful old Classic wooden yachts and membership entitles you to sign on as a crew member or passenger on a trip or if you are a competent sailor book the boat for yourself.

I became a member which cost just £50 and entitled me to a half day sailing around the Orwell - Great. Soon afterwards I was back as a crew member on a 2 day trip round the coast and up the River Alde to Aldeburgh.

I cant tell you how much fun this was, we took 2 boats as we were picking up Derricks grown up son at Orford after the first day, here is a picture diary of my sailing trip...

All kitted out in the best professional looking gear to mask my incompetence I set off.

We left Pin Mill early in the morning

and set off down the Orwell

An hour or so later we were at the mouth of the river where Felixstow docks are

You obviously need to check your route so you don't get too close to these chaps

They say Steam gives way to Sail but personally I would not try this kind of crazy 'Chicken' game

anyway up the coast we went, 'Night Wind' led by Capn Will

and Caressa led by Capn Ian (the handsome chap in the beard)

After a couple of hours we were nearing the Rive Alde, this is a bit tricky going in but a great opportunity for sanding some of that weed off the keel

the trick is to get quite close into the bank and do it at the highest of tides

otherwise you will have a lot to talk about in the pub later.

We of course glided through with purposeful elegance (thanks for the £5 Ian)

and grabbed the wind for a race up the river

and on to Orford.

There are 5 great things about Orford,

The Castle which at the time cost one tenth of the entire GDP of England to build.

The weird and wonderful MOD Pagodas on the fabulous Orford Ness nature reserve - you can get a ferry at the quay to take you over- check this out with the National Trust which run these very popular trips.

The Jolly Sailor pub

The wonderful smokeries

...and the world famous Butley Orford Oysteridge

Now if you like seafood, and like me, you don't like it tasting of something else then this is the place to come to, great seafood straight from the sea onto your plate with the minimal amount of messing around, you don't come here for the side orders or sauces because they don't do them, just bread and butter and a salad. You come here for the real taste of excellent sea food, the freshest fish, the best local oysters and great crab, lobster and smoked delicacies.

They have a shop so you can do much better than a doggie bag when you leave !

a simple place with great food and a friendly service the pretty girl on the right is Isabella.

Needless to say I had 3 main courses because I always have to have the Crab whatever else I might want to order! and then found out I had missed the smoked Eel on toast - so had to check that out as well.

Naturally followed by a degestivo in the Jolly Sailor

That evening there was a village feast in the main square and the villagers just rolled up with food and shared tables with friends and neighbours thats the way Suffolk is.

It was a late night by the time we found the right dingy to paddle back to the yacht

Aldeburgh was our next stop, this is a lovely little town right on the sea,

no amusement arcades, no candy floss, just laid back, nice art and craft feel with great pubs and restaurants - which I had to photograph.

... so here are a selection we visited under that excuse.

Aldeburgh also has 2 great fish and chip shops that have very strict opening times and are more difficult than the restaurants to get into as you can see.

Next morning bright and breezy we set off for Pin Mill

Where we arrived conveniently at lunchtime

just right for some excellent Fish and chips at the best pub in England: The Butt & Oyster

Thanks Ian for a great couple of days !

If you would like to go sailing for a day or less this is possible, just have a look at the 'sailing' page for all the contact details for www.classicsailingclub.com membership costs just £50 and entitles you to half a day on one of these lovely wooden classic yachts.