This...

...is the Thames Sailing Barge, Xylonite.



Back in May 1989, I, with my friends from the Church of the Ascension youth club, spent a bank holiday weekend aboard her, sailing around the coast of Essex. I don't, if I'm honest, remember much of the detail of the weekend, except that we embarked (after a hearty fish and chip supper) from, and returned to, Maldon (and I have a very vivid recollection of, when I hit terra firma at the end of the weekend, feeling a bit wonky on my feet), that I befriended a rather scruffy ship's dog, and that there was porridge for breakfast. It's possible that we may have taken turns at the wheel, and/or helping with rigging.

It was, I do remember, a very enjoyable long weekend.

The Cirdan Sailing Trust, through which our weekend away was booked, is still going strong. Xylonite is no longer with them, but is now a private boat, with a heavily tarted up interior, available for private hire.