West Swale

Dockyard Duds, and a Sunset on the Bow!

The urgent need for a solid escape plan from Chatham finally spurred us into action. After much digital deliberation and chart gazing, we triumphantly booked three nights at Burnham Yacht Club. The online reviews promised accessibility at all states of tide (a definite plus!), but also whispered tales of tricky pilotage on approach and, rather ominously, "short" and "wobbly" finger pontoons. Our Ramsgate-induced gel coat anxiety twitched. We nearly bottled it, our fingers hovering over the "cancel call" button, but just as we were about to surrender to pontoon paranoia, the office answered!

Salvation arrived in the form of a wonderfully helpful Harbour Master. We poured out our concerns about the Lilliputian and potentially unstable pontoons, and he, bless his nautical heart, agreed to allocate us a spot on one of the "larger" ones. A quick peek at the berthing map induced a wave of relief that could have floated a small dinghy. Yes, it was at the far end of the pontoon, promising a "brisk" (read: long) walk to the marina office, but it was also directly off the marina entrance – no complicated maneuvering required! Plus, Pepper would appreciate the extra leg stretch. A win-win (or should that be a wag-wag?) situation!

With the next port of call firmly in our sights, we tackled those smaller boat jobs that weekend sailors perpetually defer. Nick, channeling his inner MacGyver, fashioned some rather ingenious soft shackles to keep the halliards tamed and to securely fasten the anchor to the boat – no more noisy clanking! He then embarked on a cleaning frenzy, scrubbing the coachroof, decks, and cockpit until Halcyon Sea positively gleamed. Even the dolphin seat received a thorough makeover! Only the chrome polishing remained – a task perhaps best saved for a moment of extreme boredom.

Feeling vaguely industrious, we decided it was high time for some proper sightseeing, venturing beyond the immediate marina vicinity. The Historic Dockyard beckoned, a mere fifteen-minute stroll away. This sprawling 80-acre site promised a treasure trove of maritime history, including HMS Gannet, HM submarine Ocelot, and an RNLI Historic Lifeboat collection – all right up Nick's nautical alley. Adding a touch of unexpected glamour, the dockyard also serves as the filming location for the beloved "Call the Midwife," with tours included in the ticket price. However… we did not purchase a ticket. The reason? Let's just say the on-the-day entry fee of £32 per adult for an annual ticket induced a sharp intake of breath that could have emptied a small sail. While excellent value for repeat visitors, for our single, fleeting visit (and with Pepper's understandable exclusion from the indoor exhibits), it simply wasn't feasible especially with the limited time before closing.

Undeterred, we continued our walk to the nearby Fort Amherst. Now, this was more budget friendly – free entry to the grounds and wonderfully dog-friendly! With an hour of opening hours remaining, there was plenty to explore of this historic site. Organised tours of the intriguing caves and tunnels were available for a small fee and boasted rave reviews, but our slightly tardy arrival meant we missed the boat (pun intended!). A much-welcomed ice cream provided a refreshing consolation prize before our return journey, thankfully mostly downhill – a blessing for our weary knees.

A pit stop at the Dockside Shopping Centre yielded a few dinner essentials and a well-deserved pint for Nick and a glass of vino for Tracey before we ambled back to Halcyon Sea. The air fryer worked its magic on a chicken, sundowners were poured, and we retreated to the bow with our cushions for a glorious hour of tech-free tranquility, soaking in the last rays of the day. The peace was… well, insert your own suitably blissful adjective here! Our aching limbs, a gentle reminder of our nearly seven-mile trek, were a small price to pay for that moment of quiet contentment in our own little world.Read more