Thames Barge and Smack Racing

We had the full range of weather conditions for the Barge and Smack Racing Event on Saturday from the beautiful sunrise to dramatic skies and then rain as the skipper and mate returned the barge to Brightlingsea in the afternoon.

 

Sunrise at Brightlingsea Essex

This was my fourth attempt at a good-weather trip on a Thames Barge and the forecast looked as the other three trips - wet and windy but we were in luck yesterday as it was a beautiful dawn and the rain stayed away most of the day. Here are some images from sunrise at Brightlingsea as we boarded as vessel (the Hydrogen, Topsail charters).  I have rarely seen a better surise with interest all over the sky including a part of a rainbow to the west where the clouds were gathering.