My friend Cap'n Smith has invited me to come sailing with him several times. It's always a pleasure - his company is a delight and it's lovely to be out on the water aboard his catamaran Claneda. On this occasion, we sailed from berth in Tollesbury and went northwards as far as Clacton.
![](https://res.cloudinary.com/mfco/image/upload/q_auto:good/v1/mfco-content/Sailing-20190429-001.jpg)
![](https://res.cloudinary.com/mfco/image/upload/q_auto:good/v1/mfco-content/Sailing-20190429-003.jpg)
![](https://res.cloudinary.com/mfco/image/upload/q_auto:good/v1/mfco-content/Sailing-20190429-008.jpg)
![](https://res.cloudinary.com/mfco/image/upload/q_auto:good/v1/mfco-content/Sailing-20190429-006.jpg)
We stopped for lunch in the lee of Mersea island, as weather gathered around us.
![](https://res.cloudinary.com/mfco/image/upload/q_auto:good/v1/mfco-content/Sailing-20190429-005.jpg)
I found the changing light on the sails as we tacked to and fro fascinating. The large, billowing white canvas alternately casting geometric shadows and becoming a vast lightbox.
![](https://res.cloudinary.com/mfco/image/upload/q_auto:good/v1/mfco-content/Sailing-20190429-002.jpg)
![](https://res.cloudinary.com/mfco/image/upload/q_auto:good/v1/mfco-content/Sailing-20190429-009.jpg)
![](https://res.cloudinary.com/mfco/image/upload/q_auto:good/v1/mfco-content/Sailing-20190429-010.jpg)
![](https://res.cloudinary.com/mfco/image/upload/q_auto:good/v1/mfco-content/Sailing-20190429-007.jpg)
As the sun began to set, we headed south back to Tollesbury and home. The moorings at Tollesbury are highly tidal; there's no option but to time your sailings to the tides if you want to get home again.
![](https://res.cloudinary.com/mfco/image/upload/q_auto:good/v1/mfco-content/Sailing-20190429-011.jpg)
![](https://res.cloudinary.com/mfco/image/upload/q_auto:good/v1/mfco-content/Sailing-20190429-012.jpg)
![](https://res.cloudinary.com/mfco/image/upload/q_auto:good/v1/mfco-content/Sailing-20190429-013.jpg)
Warm, golden light across the calm waters. A lovely day's sailing with friends - it's hard to beat.