Barge Match

I think this is the 53rd or 4th Barge Match to take place off the end of Southend pier.  I went down early with Paul and his son so we were able to do some sketches before the boats started hauling up their sails and moving into the starting place.  It was a wonderful opportunity to see these incredible boats.  A suspect package under the land end of the pier meant that we had to cut short our visit but fortunately it was nothing.  So our last few sketches were of people waiting to be able to leave whilst the authorities investigated.