It is fair to say that Wells-next-the-Sea on the North Norfolk Coast is the most popular destination that our cruising club visits. We had 20 boats booked to come with almost the same number again on the reserve list.
As with most cruises we have run this year, the weather forecast was not straight forward and for most of the preceding week, we were not certain that the trip would go ahead. However when Friday dawned, the south westerly wind had abated enough to allow a reasonable & safe passage for the fleet to go to Wells. After skippers briefing at Berney Arms, the fleet let go and travelled down Breydon for a 1330 Haven Bridge lift.
There was a short chop as the fleet made its way up the coast to Cromer, not uncomfortable but enough to throw spray up – soaking those on flybridges & keeping wipers in use on the others. The sun was shining and the 50 mile trip was pleasant.
It is something of an occasion arriving in Wells. You make your way down the buoyed channel passing very close to the beach with people swimming and playing on the sand. The fleet made its way slowly down the winding channel with our safety Rib stationed at the tricky bits and arrived at the quay around 1730.
The quay was packed with onlookers as we turned to stem the tide and raft up together on the floating pontoons. Fish & Chips were the order of the day for most (they really are excellent) and the crews socialised mostly on the boats enjoying the ambiance of Wells Quay.
Saturday was warm and sunny, exactly how Wells is best enjoyed. The children crabbed and the adults relaxed in the morning as the tide dropped away exposing an excellent sandy beach opposite the quay where the children (and a few big kids) played all afternoon. The early evening entertainment for some was water skiing behind our Rib with Debbie Harrison, Mick and Speedo all having a go whilst young James and Paul Webster had fun on the banana being towed by Time Out 3’s Rib.
The fleet were not up too late wanting to be fresh for the 0745 leaving time the following morning. We had an excellent run to Great Yarmouth where half the fleet headed in and back to the Broads whilst the rest carried on to the RN&SYC at Lowestoft for Sunday lunch.
A super trip, we really could have done with a few more days in Wells but were glad that the weather abated for just long enough for us to get there. Next year we will definitely plan for a longer stay.
