A brief report on the Association annual holiday
by Meryl and Dick
SATURDAY
Launched from site - Kingfisher (Laser 16) and Demelza (13), on a reach to the northern end of
the lake. Demelza surprised to find herself in the lead. However, at
Waterhead Kingfisher dived straight into the beach and we found the reason why
... no 'bung'!
So with a bit of clever leverage by Al the boat was rolled out of
the lake enough to watch water pouring out for 25 minutes!
Meanwhile we picnicked. Reach and beat back to base with Kingfisher back in the lead again! BBQ for some, meal in town for others.
SUNDAY
Three 13s, Demelza, HeNe and later Fuzzy Duck, beat up to Waterhead, bit hairy at times and
nippy.
Home on a
reach, pelted by hailstones just before beaching. BBQ for some then all retired
to Ryde-Weller caravan for eve as freezing - thanks!!
MONDAY
Unanimous breakfast decision - no sailing, as strong cold north wind. Boots on and walk on the other side of the lake thanks to the ferry. Kingfisher
trailer into dock for new bearings.
TUESDAY
HeNe off to see relations so no sailing. Weather better with sun and wind so
Kingfisher and Demelza reached to southern end of lake: Fell Foot.
En route stop at YMCA beach. Chuffed as have now sailed whole length of the lake. Very
fluky sail on return, no chatting just watching for where the next gust came
blasting in from.
Fish
and chip eve in Bowness and retired for a night cap at the R-W caravan again.
WEDNESDAY
Bit windy but intrepid HeNe and Fuzzy were off on a run up to
Waterhead. An exhilarating but eventually wet beat back down the lake, with the wind petering out
entirely in the rain and Fuzzy ending up rowing the last 100yds.
Meanwhile Al and Jan spent the time in the back garden
and the Taylors cycled to Kendal. Also had a wet return. BBQ eve was forgotten; some cooked in, others a
meal out.
THURSDAY
Fuzzy on shore with sails drying, HeNe, Kingfisher and Demelza set out southbound in fickle
winds with sunny skies. Slow going so came in for lunch at Rawlinson Nab, lovely
spot with views to southern end of lake.
Picnic over, drifted across to Hotel on the
other side with ducks overtaking us!! HeNe carried on but Demelza and Kingfisher were homebound, even using the motors to move things on. Demelza did
a spot of island hopping and tried to come ashore on Thompson's Holme but were
hissed away by a swan protecting her brood. Then home bound on the motor
spotting HeNe on t'other side of Belle Isle doing a bit of surreptitious 'row
row row your boat'! A gentle day's sailing.
BBQ eve with Al and Jan.
FRIDAY
HeNe and Demelza set sail under a lovely blue sky to meet up with Bob Brayshaw, with Georgie and Edward as crew, who had launched their 16 at the Bowness public slipway.
Slowly sailed down the lake and ended up at the same Nab for lunch. BB (in
fact Georgie!) did the usual BBQ, very impressive, and the crew went
swimming. Then HeNe made an attempt on Fell Foot and Demelza made a slow run
close in past all the super pads.
Back to Bowness slipway to enjoy an ice cream and wish BB bon voyage home.
Final BBQ, lovely eve with highest temperatures of the week.
SATURDAY
Packed up and goodbyes. Good week; nippy start but there was sailing six days out of seven, a good average. Camp site excellent in spite of negative reception.