Monday 1 August
Gaining confidence after a month afloat, the crew decided to put my shoal draft to the test today, along with their navigational skills and the accuracy of the new chart plotter, and we rode the flood all the way upriver to Manningtree. I didn’t get stuck, and they enjoyed the adventure of creek crawling. Heading back down past Mistley Quay a coaster had come up behind me; we exchanged greetings as I passed but he was snoozing while being loaded with bricks. Many of these vessels are registered abroad, and I’m interested to see that my waters are used industrially and commercially – apparently they’re not just for us to enjoy.