Saturday 18th August – windsurf *** Levington – mainly cloudy.

Fanatic Cat with Tushingham Lightning 8.5 and 39 cm fin.

18.07 knot max., 14.30 knot ave., 5.21 knot hour, 9.89 knot mile, 29.90 km., 9.52 knot alpha.

Today was always going to be the lighter of the days, so after checking Landguard weather station the wind was increasing so after checking the seafront to discover the wind was well off I decided to try Levington. It was on the way that I had the highlight of the day when on the single-track bus cut through just past Trimley St Martin there were about 20 vintage tractors coming the other way, as I had to pull over I got out to take some pics:) Parking up near the entrance to Levington Marina there was on OK breeze cross on so I rigged 8.5 for a longboard cruise. There was never enough wind, only the odd gust so I decided to chase down a wooden barge heading for Felixstowe docks, catching it up and then stopping at Shotley to take some pics. I then sailed back to the marina and started a beat to the Orwell Bridge. It was nice to be out with loads of yachts, mostly motoring! As the tide had only been coming in an hour or so it was fairly shallow away from the channel. I sailed under the bridge in the channel and actually sailed both ways without the swirling winds knocking me in! I was now sailing back against the flow in light winds, I had some fun in the wake of a motor boat, saw a seal at Woolverstone and a Turn catch a small fish. It was a slow run back to the van where I stopped for a snack. The breeze seemed to increase so I had a few runs across the bay getting my fastest speeds. With it falling light I decided to pack up and head for home. Tomorrow is looking promising for a shortboard session and sunny not like today!

 https://www.facebook.com/stephen.squirrell.1/media_set?set=a.10214026888838936.1073741915.1012660562&type=3&uploaded=37