The Indian Summer encouraged many members (and some prospective members) to attend the Ullswater rally this year, but unfortunately a cold front produced miserable weather on the Saturday.

Most craft launched at Waterside farm, on the east shore, where there is a camp site for those who either can’t sleep on board or who can’t launch because of bad weather. Four boats who launched on Friday night had a sheltered anchorage in the bay on the west shore, with bow anchors out and stern lines to the shore. Saturday morning brought force 5 SSW winds with heavy showers, and two Coasters set out from their sheltered bay on the west shore, under jib and mizzen, to cross over and see who was hoping to launch from the farm. Apart from one Dabber (David Chatterley), who came out briefly, conditions were too bad for launching and too uncomfortable to stay out. Saturday afternoon saw one group of boats sheltering on the west shore, whilst most of the other group were stuck on the east shore, hoping the wind and rain would abate. Several boats did make it across the lake, including one junk-rigged Cadet. Unfortunately the Cadet capsized several times whilst trying to beat up the west shore, and the crew was rescued by Chris Battersby and Gerald Harrison in Chris’s Sailfish 18.

At tea-time the wind and rain disappeared, and a lovely evening saw eight boats ready to spend the night in the west shore bay and numerous others waiting on the farm campsite, ready to launch on the Sunday. About twenty members met in the Brackenrigg Arms on Saturday evening, and all had a good yarn, comparing notes on their summer sailing!

Sunday morning dawned fine and sunny, with winds SSW 2/3, and at least thirteen boats were on the water. Most managed to get down the lake past Howtown, before returning to Howtown for lunch. In all eleven boats met up for lunch, and a record fourteen boats attended the rally.