At the October London meeting Dr. Malcolm Evans based a most interesting talk on his experiences in the Antarctic. He rates your chance of survival in cold water higher if you are fat. Also, he said, fall in with all your clothes on and don’t swim unless you need because the exercise won’t make you warmer. Instead lie peacefully in your lifejacket breathing gently and making yourself as small as possible. If you think you might find that difficult in time of such crisis, arrange to be slightly alcoholic when you fall in; it won’t heat your blood but it may help you relax.

SCOTTISH GROUP RALLY REPORT

Ballochmartin Bay, Great Cumbrae, Firth of Clyde June 7-8 1969

Three boats met about 10 p.m. June 7th at the rendezvous: Peter Hignett’s “Misfit”, Ralph Johnson’s G.P. 14, and Adam Murrie’s “Malin”. Ralph had launched from Largs very much earlier and remained to see the others anchor for the night before returning to Largs and trailing home.

“Malin” had launched at Rhu in the Gareloch on Friday evening at H.W. and sailed across to Roseneath where the night was spent at anchor not far from “Misfit”.

At slack water (6 a.m.) on Saturday “Malin” departed under paddles for Kilcreggan to take on some stores and have breakfast in the lee of the pier. “Misfit” left Roseneath on the ebb after 8 a.m. and had similar sailing weather to “Malin” most of the way south.

After the early calm a good force 3 S.W. made us beat down channel, one boat off the Cowal shore and the other on the Renfrewshire side. No contact was made between the boats until about an hour after the wind died, just south of Skelmorlie. Oars and paddles were then handed for the next three hours against a flood tide until anchors were laid at the rendezvous, about 12-14 hours after leaving Roseneath.

Twilight, hunger and aching muscles did not allow prolonged chatting after anchoring. This was reserved for the Sunday morning which began as windless and sunny as the Saturday evening. After breakfast we had a chat with the owner and crew of a Wayfarer that had anchored nearby. They had trailed from Middlesbrough and were looking forward to a week’s cruise in the Clyde.

The meeting ended with the Wayfarer’s departure under power for Millport, “Misfit’s’ rowing northwards to Roseneath, and “Malin’s” paddling east to anchor in Largs Bay.