The Friday night weather report for the weekend was gales, heavy rain and very low cloud. No doubt this was a little off-putting for some, but six boats finally braved the weather and launched at the Derwent Marina on the Saturday.

We negotiated a reduced launching charge and were very pleased with the facilities for both launching and storage of cars and trailers. The weather was dull but dry when we launched, and at no time did the wind blow stronger than force 2/3.

Sometime around noon we finally left the marina — Brian McClellan (West Wight Potter), Gerald and Phil (Lugger), Stuart (Cadet), Martin Norris (12 ft lug rig ), Chris Battersby and Peter (Thames Startrecker), and Hugh Clay of Arctic Circle fame in his Norwegian lugsail boat Eel.

Some showers and sunny periods on the Saturday but nevertheless very good and exiting sailing. In the evening, most of us finally ended up at the southern end of the lake in a quiet little bay out of the wind and very free of people. That part of the lake is idyllic — lots of wildlife, peace and quiet, and miles of undisturbed wet-land.

Sunday was very kind to us. After a cramped night on the Lugger with three of us sleeping aboard, we rose quite early to sunshine and the morning chorus. The rest of the fleet was still fast asleep — I wonder why! A long walk, breakfast and later lots of good sailing. We all rafted up at lunchtime off Herbert’s Island with only one anchor holding on a very rock‑strewn bottom. Fine sailing and good weather in the afternoon until Stuart capsized in his Cadet. Gerald and Phil effected a copy-book rescue of ‘Man Overboard’, and after the incident we sailed back to the marina with a very wet and bedraggled Stuart, finally hauling out at 4 pm. Derwentwater is a pretty lake and the weather was more than kind to us. In all, a very successful weekend, and one we must all repeat.