East Coast Branch
Event Reports 2021
Burnham Rally
The weekend started with drinks and nibbles on Vellamo Moody 336 on the Friday evening with some lovely sunshine as a back drop and we were joined by 18 members. As you can see from the photo an enjoyable evening had by all!
On Saturday 24 members met up at the RCYC for dinner where we enjoyed some good food. The club had Covid rules in place but this didn’t stop members enjoying the hospitality of the club.
With the sunshine still beaming down to round off the weekend we had a BBQ on Sunday afternoon by the RNLI building and, as you can see from the picture, an enjoyable finale to a super weekend, was enjoyed by all and feedback I received was very positive.
Gillian and Patrick Rogers
Drinks and Nibbles aboard Vellamo
Members at Burnham
Shotley Rally June 19th-20th
In the end with the F7 on the Friday a couple swopped cars for boats but one way and another we ended up with the original number of people attending. We even managed to arrange for the grass to be cut in the pouring rain on the Friday in preparation for the BBQ.
Whilst Saturday was slightly overcast, it stayed dry during the pre-dinner nibbles & drinks and whilst we all indulged in our BBQ’s. Eventually the chilly night sent us back to the warmth of our boats and time for friends to catch up. Not before Carol had shared her delightful dips and Mike had provided marshmallows for toasting.
The F7 forecast on the Sunday ended up being F0 to F3 for most of the day and once the visibility improved, most had a pleasant journey home, even if a lot of it was under motor.
Alan Giles
Members at Shotley, braving the weather !!
Bradwell Rally July 31st
Fourteen boats originally registered for the East Coast Bradwell Rally on July 31st ,A few dropped out for personal reasons and one got stuck in St. Kats when the lock gates failed, so numbers were going down.
Then Storm Evert gate crashed the rally. The wind was F7 at Bradwell on the Friday with white horses and waves breaking over Pewit Island, so those expected didn’t arrive.
By Saturday the wind had eased to a 4-5 westerly, but for those coming down the Wallet, quite a bumpy passage.
The afternoon saw three boats arrive, Calypso, Gypsy and Valhalla, all Moody 31’s, to join the three boats resident in Bradwell; Saraband, Solar Wind and Teteli. The crew of Sansofe tacked down the A12 from Titchmarsh to join us.
These motley crews sheltered on Solar Wind, the host boat, whilst a deluge of wind and rain passed, fortified with beer, wine and nibbles.
Then the weather greatly improved, even the sun appeared, so all adjourned to Bradwell Quay Yacht Club for an evening BBQ after which a few shanties were sung, lead by Mike Ballinger, whilst enjoying the view of a beautiful sunset across the Blackwater.
Sunday dawned calm and tranquil, what was all the fuss about!
Roger Price
Bradwell Marina
Members at the BQYC
Walton Backwaters Rally
Ten boat crews, including home berth-holders, braved the typical bank-holiday weather to enjoy a pontoon party onshore, see photo, followed by a BBQ as the evening sun finally put in an appearance.
The weekend concluded with a visit to Walton & Frinton YC for a pleasant Sunday lunch.
Derek Grant
Members enjoying the festivites at Titchmarsh Marina
Burnham Carnival Rally September 25th-26th
This event is traditionally the last event afloat of the season for the East Coast Group and, even if this year’s Carnival and associated celebrations in Burnham were much reduced, six Moody Owners turned out for an enjoyable weekend.
Most arrived on Friday in good time for dinner at Sargent Peppers TexMex restaurant for a convivial evening of eating, drinking and sharing tales of the passage to Burnham.
The following day, Burnham Yacht Harbour had cancelled their traditional Tucker Brown race with associated BBQ lunch and live music in a marquee, we held a DIY BBQ, for which the weather held fair so we didn’t really miss the marquee. Later all gathered on board Wild Thyme for drinks and nibbles.
The Carnival that evening turned out to be a shadow of its usual self with the strongest part being the Stephens funfair filling the rugby ground, so opportunities were taken to sample dodgems gallopers and, perhaps, some of the more dramatic rides. It all ended with a wonderful firework display, probably better than any previous year.
Peter Wright
Laying Up Lunch
Some 54 members turned out in atrocious weather to our Laying Up Lunch in the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club in Burnham on Crouch. The club did us proud with an excellent carvery dinner, and it was a thoroughly sociable event; which was most welcome after living with Covid restrictions for the last 18 months, although routine precautions were of cause still in place.
Everyone present had a great time, and took the opportunity to catch up with old and new Moody Owner friends.
Colin Shead