October half term, 17 Oct to 1 Nov
Half Term Family Sail
You get the view. The kids get a job. Two boats a day, this half term only.
This half term we're running a sail built for families. You get the view and the marsh going by. The kids get a job: from the moment we cast off, they're all assigned crew roles.
These aren't unpaid roles. Crew are furnished with hot chocolate and cake to keep the scurvy at bay, and those who earn their stripes are issued a CEC cloth badge once we reach dry land.
The three jobs
- Tie the knotsSix proper sailors' knots, from the figure of eight to the bowline, each with its job on the boat. A length of rope each to take home and keep practising.
- Read the flagsThe whole signal flag alphabet on a card of their own, the same code ships still use today. Then they spell their name in flags.
- Spot the wildlifeThis is the fortnight the pink-footed geese arrive, skeins of them over the marsh at first and last light. Brent geese are back on the harbour, and curlew, redshank and egrets come down onto the mud as the tide drops.
On the water
They'll cast off on the lines and haul the sail up on the halyard. Down the channel past the lifeboat station they keep lookout on the bow, coil the ropes and call the withies. Knots while she sails herself, then a turn on the helm on the way home.
What's included
- The boat to yourselves, up to 4 aboard including grown-ups
- Up to 3 hours on the water with an experienced skipper
- Lifejackets for everyone
- Hot chocolate and cake for the whole crew
- A mini field guide to take home, with the knots, the signal flags, how the boats sail and what to look out for on the marsh, plus a length of rope to keep practising with
- The CEC cloth badge for every child who earns it
Good to know
- Suitable for all ages.
- We sail with the tide, so the time on each date is when we leave the quay. Early mornings in the second week are when the geese go over.
- Two boats sail on each date, so book the date you want early.
- Wrap up warm: layers, a waterproof, a hat and gloves. It's colder on the water than on the quay.
- Meeting point and a full briefing come with your booking confirmation, and again two days before you sail.