Embarrassing Memory! By John’s nephew Pete

 The location was Stone Point a sandy sheltered spit behind Walton-on-the-Naze where many boats with families would anchor during their summer holidays.

Children played endlessly on the beach, in nearby muddy lagoons and in dinghies learning all their sailing skills by experience.

There were Clays doing these things everywhere, and John’s 4- all under 6 or 7 years old- were taking their lead from Jim Clay’s slightly older 4 children. Hugh and Robert, it should be noted, were still in nappies.

Asterix, John and Sue’s Stella, and Firefly, Jim and Angela’s yawl, were lying forlorn and unused, at anchor in the channel.

As I remember it, (it WAS a very long time ago), John couldn’t bear it any longer and said, “Pete, how about a sail in Asterix?”. I said “Great!” Sue said “DON’T be too long!”. And of course that comment of Sue’s jinxed it.

Tacking up Hamford Water on a falling tide, with me (of course) on the helm, we left it a bit late going about and there we were on the mud.

I can’t remember what John said, but Sue understandably made her feelings known when, hours later, we came back to the deserted family. Muddy bodies. Sandy nappies. Unfed, tired and chilly!

WE had a great time!