Learning the ropes
“TWO-six, heave!” A group of 11-year-olds are putting their backs into hauling up the topsail on the 1906 Thames barge, Thalatta. “That’s it, get her up,” calls skipper Cyril Varley from the helm. “We need to push on a bit.” He glances off to starboard. A mud bank is emerging from the falling Orford tide.
“Come on, guys!” exhorts Rosie, one of the 11-year-olds, to her schoolmates. “Two-six…HEAVE!” they bellow in unison.
The children are from the Norwich School and their parents have chartered Thalatta for the week, under the watchful eye of two of the school’s teachers.
This morning the group has enjoyed a trip to Orford Castle, chatting noisily about the experience on the tender ride back to the boat.
Once on board, the kids set about stowing the wooden tenders. Then that topsail – and it takes some doing. It’s always sobering to recall Thalatta and her ilk were sailed by just a skipper and mate.
After that it’s for decades – the boat and the English east coast are his second home.
