This was the third year that the Dinghy Cruising and the Drascombe Associations held their joint rally at Coniston, and the weather was kinder this year, with no rain, although the sun waited until Sunday to appear. Winds were NNE 2-3.

Most boats launched at the Coniston Sailing Club, who provided hospitality for the weekend, and about sixteen boats arrived for lunch on the beach in the bay on the east shore, just south of Peel island.

The Saturday evening barbeque was most enjoyable, and provided an opportunity for everyone to have a good chat — mostly about boating! Isobel and David Shuttleworth again provided a magnificent spread in idyllic surroundings on the lakeside. Some crews spent Saturday night afloat in a small bay north of the sailing club, others moored up at the sailing club pontoon, and some left their boats at David & Isobel’s and went bed and breakfasting.

On Sunday many boats went south again, towards Peel Island, and half a dozen boats had lunch on the west shore, opposite Fir island.

DCA boats attending included one Roamer (Maureen & Barry), one Wayfarer (Dave & Tony), one West Wight Potter (Brian), three Drascombe Dabbers (Cliff, Mary & Mike; David & Isobel; David Chatterley), one Lugger (Gerald & crew) and two Coasters (Ray & Margaret; Peter, Rachel, Debbie & Boris).