We found Bala lake and the surrounding countryside beyond description: it was the highlight of the whole two weeks — not that we didn’t have a first class time on the S.U. and Llangollen Canals anyway. The site at Bala was excellent and no one need worry about the lack of facilities, there is a very good toilet and water point by the narrow gauge station about 400 yards away.

We met two other DCA members at the rally, John Huntingford and Antony Sluce with his son and a friend. They did things properly and slept on their Shetland Skiff at anchor. John camped and we used our VW Caravette, but we do hope to fit Mary’s Tideway out for camping by next year.

On the Saturday it was nearly calm with a breeze in the evening, but by Sunday morning it was about force 6 and quite ‘hairy’ sailing even reefed down. However it was worth getting wet, spray covered, not a capsize, though many others did.

We also enjoyed our hill climbed before breakfast just behind the camp site and farm to which it belongs. Nothing too high, gentle exercise but a very rewarding view.

Antony has convinced Mary that she should take the Tideway on our second holiday next month to the Lake District and sail on Windermere so there may be a rally of ‘one’ there on October 7th.