Geograph - photograph every grid square

A photo taken from Shellness during the later stages of the annual Swale Barge Match (organised by the Kentish Sail Association).

Starting from a point at the mouth of the Swale, the barges first headed out into the Thames estuary, to a point near the Shivering Sand forts, then made towards Whitstable. From there the course led them back westward to the Swale - and as the wind was a fresh south-westerly, a good deal of lively tacking was involved. The final few miles for these rather bulky vessels entailed some tricky tacking up the narrow navigable channel at the east end of the Swale. With the navigable channel narrowing as the tide ebbed, this last stretch was easier for the leading vessels than for the stragglers - though their efforts were good fun to watch.

The barge in the picture is 'Edith May', one of the earlier arrivals. I had to wait a while for closer views: TR0567 : Sailing barge 'Lady Daphne' going about off Shellness