After a lot of chat on FB messenger on the lead up to the weekend three of us decided to paddle from Bradwell to Colne Point. The wind and tide wasn’t going to be in our favour SE F4 and an ebb tide helped us along our way.

We made excellent progress but were very aware of the strengthening wind and the increasing swell, so decided to paddle until the tide turned (LW Bradwell 11:15), which put us in spitting distance of Colne Point!

Making our way back the swell had increased with 1 – 2′ waves and the relentless wind, however, we made really good progress. It was a lot of fun bashing through the waves, a couple of yacths decided to furl their sails and revert to motoring and a lone windsurfer was buzzing us going from Mersea Island to Sails Point at incredible speed.

We arrived at the entrance to Bradwell Marina, and since we had got there much earlier than expected decided to go around the baffle at the entrance only to spot a very angry looking pigeon sitting on the baffle top.

It turned out to be a perigrine Falcon, and he/she didn’t look very happy at us paddling in its hunting ground.

Going back into Bradwell Marina an unhappy yacthsman and his crew were well and truly grounded at the entrance, scratching their heads whilst waiting for the tide to fill in. Thanks to Adrian (MAD cc) and James for a great couple of hours on the water.

Submitted by John H 180818