8/8 Cowes: Only a moderate turn out for this usually popular venue. At least everyone came in boats! Bryan Collins, George and Frank Dyer, Jim Smith, Roddy Roddis, John Peel and myself. Visitor to the SC was Tony Sterckx, sporting a very smart DCA jersey. Apparently, where Tony normally sails the weather is even worse than hereabouts. His GP14 has a very neat double-walled tent to be extra waterproof and be free from condensation.

15/8 Priory Bay: Good turn out for an exposed venue. Jack Whitby from Langstone, Liz Baker from Itchenor, Rodney Levick in an 11’ Gull from Chichester; then two non-members who also attended Wootton rally: Greg Yale and John Laughland. The barbecue went well after a late start, only Jack preferring to eat aboard. John and Greg seem ideal rally types to me and their boats showed Rainbow a clean pair of “keels” on the return beat towards Cowes.

22/8 Snowhill Creek: Liz Baker 12’ Mayfly and myself 15’ 6” Drascombe Dabber were joined at dusk by Roddy Roddis and John Peel in the Longboat Cruiser flying a jolly roger. A poor turnout, Liz being the only local member.

5/9 Pitts Deep: This apparently little known venue attracted one non-member known to all present. Peter Glover rowed both ways in a self built 14’ Dory. A marvellous way to get about in settled weather. Everyone present had a go in it. George Dyer also rowed from Tanners Lane but did not overnight aboard as he is longer than his boat! Bryan Collins and I left our boats at Pitts Deep to go on an excursion with Peter in his Dory; a dream to row even three up; although I heard later that Peter had a stiff pull back to Hill Head against the wind.

12/9 Christchurch: Bryan Collins on holiday there reports that no one else turned up. Not surprising really; Liz Baker and I set out in Rainbow but appalling weather drove us back to spend the night in the river Itchen. After a night of thunderstorms and torrential rain, Saturday’s light airs drove me to another extreme; accepting a tow from Hamble to Stanswood. However, even this lift left too little time to reach Hurst Narrows before the turn of tide and the mission was aborted at Pitts Deep. We had more thunderstorms during supper but Sunday gave us the consolation prize — a ring-side seat for the Red Arrows aerial display off Calshot.

26/9 Eling: Again terrible weather; Liz Baker attempted in Black Swan but was forced back to leave her boat at Itchenor late in the day and drove to Southampton to hitch a pushover trip in Rainbow. The Eling SC was very generous, providing alongside berthing and full use of club facilities. As launching in Southampton is possible in just about any weather, I am hoping next year might show a better response; after all, there seems little the DCA can do in return for any club providing us with free temporary mooring in one of the densest pleasure boating areas in the world.

10/10 Bursledon: No boats, but I did have a look just in case. It was nice to have Jim Smith over from the island. Peter Glover of HHSC, Frank and George Dyer, John Clark and I completed this indoor rally. Apologies in advance from Bryan and Liz made it seem more like a committee meeting.