Menai Straights (7/8 May)

Only Peter turned up and launched at Beaumaris. Unfortunately for me, work intervened and I could not get away. In general, over the last few years the rally has not been well attended. Not many members know the Straights and the strong tides can be off putting. There is a good deal of boating taking place including events such as the Straights fortnight in July. Although little shelter can be found when the wind is blowing NE or SW and steep seas can develop off Caernarfon in these winds, especially with wind against tide, the arm can be very attractive. My father thought it was like the Solent in the 1920’s.

Consiton (2/3 July)

Well attended as usual. The Saturday provided,- a typical Lakes day with lunch at Peel Island and drinks in the club in the evening. On Sunday the wind set in from the N and the majority of the rally decided to stay at the N end and shelter under a convenient weather shore for lunch. Most people recovered after lunch as the wind was gusting up to 5 and 6, with rain imminent. Later there was a salutary lesson for us all when one of our members got into difficulties beating back from Peel Island. After capsizing a number of times his mast got stuck on the bed of the lake and he had to swim for the shore. Having got ashore, he was, of course, wet through and collapsed from hypothermia.. A passing motorist called the ambulance which took him to hospital and the sailing club recovered his boat. He was released a few hours later and was able to collect most of his things; even his valuables which accidentally got left in a lay by. It is a reminder to us all to keep aware of the capabilities of our boats even on the lakes, which seem so friendly compared with the sea. In a small boat, a 3 mile beat to windward can be a strength sapping experience. The advantage of a lake is that you can always stop and beach the boat if you realise you are getting too tired.

Dee Estuary (16/17 July)

Strong winds and rain most of the weekend. Phillip launched his Tarpon with Dennis as crew and sailed across to Mostyn to shelter for the night. Joan and Elizabeth sheltered up at Heswall for the night. Edwin was on Colin's boat and was joined on Sunday by Peter and Colin. They sailed across to Mostyn, passing the Tarpon coming back in the rain. Joan sailed down to Thurstaston and did not see anyone. I did not attend as I was just back from a very wet week in Scotland.

Ullswater (17/18 September)

Very successful rally for my last one as organiser. The sun shone and there was a reaching wind up and down the lake for most of its length. Peter won the prize for the most people on board with five crew and a dog. Edwin had the oldest average age for his crew. I particularly enjoyed sailing in his Seagull, having admired the pictures in the Bell Woodworking catalogue 20 or 30 years ago. He has installed a self draining cockpit which overcomes one of the defects in the original design. We were pleased to welcome Helen and Graham with their Dabber from the NE coast. The rally could easily become a joint one for all in the N. At lunch on the Saturday, we had five boats on Edwin's CQR without dragging. Whilst we were having lunch, a boat tried to luff its way past us and finished up being fended off by Gerald. I can't imagine what the helmsman thought he was doing with all the width of the lake available to him. I suppose the sight of all the boats rafted together must have been a draw. After lunch we had a close fetch, with the occasional hitch to get back into the middle of the lake, all the way to the S end of the lake where we beached the boats in a very sung anchorage. By the time we came to sail back the seven miles to Waterside Farm the wind was dropping as so often happens in the evening and we finished up motoring the last mile. Cliff and I reluctantly left the rest of the party to an enjoyable evening in the pub .