May Bank Holiday: Burnham Buzzes

Early May Bank Holiday: Burnham Buzzes

Our arrival in Burnham-on-Crouch heralded a glorious blank canvas of a Bank Holiday weekend. The grand plan? Soak up the sunshine, recharge our batteries, and finally nail down our next port of call for a potential two-week stay, juggling a Liverpool family shindig and the still-pending details of our friend Alistair's funeral in Scotland. Little did we know, the Essex coastline held a delightful surprise in store!

As we'd sailed past, Tracey, ever the social butterfly, had pinged her Aunt Lin, who happens to reside in these parts. An invitation was extended, and to our delight, Lin and her husband Terry were free on Saturday! They'd heard all about the nautical escapades aboard Halcyon Sea but had yet to experience her charms firsthand. Cue much excitement! Not to be outdone, a message had also winged its way from one of Nick's former Commanding Officers, Iain, who, upon hearing of our proximity, suggested a meet-up. Sunday was swiftly penciled in for a reunion. Our quiet weekend was rapidly transforming into a veritable social whirl!

Saturday dawned in all its sunny glory, and the first wave of visitors arrived. It was such a joy to see Aunt Lin and Terry after far too long! The afternoon was a delightful tapestry of catching up on family news, sharing tales of our watery wanderings, and general all-around good cheer. Naturally, the Swallowtail, the marina's on-site bar and restaurant, provided the perfect backdrop for a wonderfully convivial lunch, filled with laughter and the easy rhythm of familiar company. Before we knew it, five glorious hours had evaporated, and it was time for heartfelt farewells. Talk about a convenient plot twist! We had a Tesco delivery scheduled for that evening. Burnham town, while charming, was a bit of a trek for a full-scale grocery haul, even with my fabulous new accessory – a shopping trolley! Yes, you read that right. The quintessential granny trolley, lovingly bestowed upon us by one of Val's thoughtful friends, has become my unexpected favourite. Who knew practicality could be so chic?!

Sunday brought the much-anticipated reunion with Iain and his lovely wife Sue. Nick confessed to a few pre-meeting butterflies, as it had been a good thirty years since their paths had last crossed. However, the moment they arrived, any awkwardness vanished. It was as if no time had passed at all! The conversation flowed effortlessly, a testament to shared experiences and a surprising amount of common ground. We suspect Sue may have fallen head-over-heels for Pepper, and we might just be responsible for a future furry addition to their household – you've been warned, Iain and Sue! Again, the time flew by in a flurry of laughter and reminiscing, and we parted ways with promises to stay in touch and hopefully orchestrate another meet-up soon. Our trusty visitor's book, a leaving gift from Portsmouth, is slowly but surely filling up with warm wishes and signatures – a wonderful memento of the friendly faces we've welcomed aboard, be it for a quick cuppa or a full-blown afternoon tea!

Our initial plan involved a Bank Holiday Monday departure, but Mother Nature, in her infinite wisdom (or perhaps just a touch of stubbornness), decided otherwise. The weather forecast suggested a less-than-ideal sailing day, so we happily opted for a slightly longer Burnham sojourn. This wasn't a hardship, as we hadn't yet properly explored beyond Pepper's immediate marina playground, a verdant haven of green spaces and fields perfect for her zoomies. We ventured along the riverfront towards the town, attempting a visit to the prestigious Royal Burnham Yacht Club. While we would have been welcomed, their dog policy restricted Pepper to certain areas, and the designated patio was rather crowded with members seeking shelter from the predicted (and accurate) blustery conditions. Squeezing a slightly bewildered Pepper onto a busy patio didn't feel fair. Instead, we plumped for the welcoming embrace of Ye Olde White Hart, a local pub that provided a truly hearty and delicious roast dinner. Both the food and the service were top-notch! Fun fact: Burnham-on-Crouch is a renowned sailing centre, hosting the famous "Burnham Week" regatta every August, attracting sailors from across the UK and beyond! The town also boasts a rich maritime history, once being a significant fishing port.

Sadly, our Burnham stop didn't align with Tracey's children's schedules. Adam already had Bank Holiday plans, and Scott was just returning from a month-long adventure in Japan. However, with Ipswich as our likely next destination, we're hopeful for a family catch-up in the coming weeks while we're still relatively close.

Our overall verdict on Burnham-on-Crouch? A resounding thumbs-up! Despite initial trepidation about the River Crouch entrance (a healthy dose of unfamiliar-territory nerves!), we found the approach straightforward. The people of Burnham were exceptionally friendly, and Burnham Yacht Harbour itself was incredibly welcoming. The Swallowtail restaurant gets a hearty recommendation from our bellies! And for our furry first mate, the abundance of green fields surrounding the marina made it a veritable Pepper paradise. While we might have been missing out on the Bank Holiday fun and frivolities our Fareham friends were undoubtedly enjoying down in Bembridge, we followed the shenanigans on the WhatsApp group that shared plenty of photos. Burnham, you were a delight!Les mer