Due to a pressing social engagement Ann and I were unable to set off for Millarochy till Sunday the 28th May. This time we were both in our Sherpa Motorhome, so there was no opportunity for Ann to disappear from the M8 as she had done en route for Arduaine! Most DCA members had booked late or declined hook-ups; so were camped under the trees at the more midge-infested boat-launching end of the campsite. They included:

Terry and Margaret Hughes Brian Swindlehurst Albert and Joyce Hattersley — Cormorant John Brookes — Lugger Robin and Ian Truman — Leisure 17(1 think) A multitude from Elton SC including Bob and Linda Abbott & son A father and son with a Wayfarer & two man tent Eric and John on Dart were moored close by Tony Nield lay ‘offshore’ in Dee Rover his Seal 22

Ann and I were in splendid isolation in the main field. As the weather had turned wet I was reluctant to give up the electrical hook-up. This enabled us to dry wet socks, towels etc. We needed it!

We had a pleasant sail to Luss on the west shore, returning via the islands. Several boats including ours narrowly avoided sailing blithely on to the shoal between lnchcruin and Inchmurrin as we played ‘follow my leader’.

Next day, Tuesday, Restless joined Dee Rover on a trip to Inchcailloch with its splendid nature trail. Several other boats were spotted on the south-west facing beach, Port Bawn.

At this point people who had arrived before the weekend were pulling out to go home or to press on towards Creran (Brian) or Loch Etive (Albert and Joyce). As the weather was still poor Ann and I joined forces with Tony on Dee Rover. Together with Dart we sailed or motored the length of the loch to its far northern end where the mountain views of Tarbet were spectacular.

We overnighted on the pontoon south of Ardlui for a nominal charge. We sympathised with the owner of Cuillins Yacht Charters, the victim of a dispute with the wealthier hotel and caravan site owner, who now claims sole right to ferry people over from the West Highland Way on the east bank.

Next day we returned. The best part of the trip was sailing through the narrow strait between Inchtavainach and Inchconnachan to the safe anchorage on the south side of the latter. Other boats were few and far between.

On our last day we returned to Inchconnachan in fine weather and explored the southern half of the island, noting a memorial to a young child close to the beach. We fed the persistent swans, then sailed north and then down the west shore of Inchtavainach en route for the pub on Inchmurrin, spotting goats as well as a variety of birds. We had a pleasant chat with the pub’s young landlady about life on the island, then visited the castle before heading for base. Tony headed for Balmaha slip to pull out.

The fine weather had raised my hopes of a climb up Ben Lomond — 3194’ — but next morning was wetter and mistier than ever so we packed and headed for home. We were disappointed by the unseasonably damp weather and our failure to become a cohesive social group. Next time perhaps we should base ourselves on Inchmurrin, the island with a pub-cum-restaurant. On reflection I was amazed that Loch Lomond was so quiet and underused, especially after the misplaced warnings. The only busy spot was the campsite! Correction the M74 was very busy with a terrible traffic jam, but it was an easy matter to circumvent it by resorting to the former A74, now the B7078, which runs parallel to the northern section.

Address: Cuillins Yacht Charters, The Flat Afloat, Ardlui — 01436 014244 or 01436 75749

Coniston — 28th-30th July

I have been informed by Mr Stancliffe, North Lake Warden and Secretary of Coniston Sailing Club that trailer sailors can no longer launch at the sailing club. I managed to inform a number of members before the meet but not everyone heard and some confusion arose as a result. For this I apologise.

For the future then, the rules are as follows: If you have a conventional small dinghy that can be manhandled to the water then you will be welcome at the sailing club. You can also launch such craft at almost any National Trust access site. If you are a trailer sailor requiring a vehicle to launch then it’s the Boating Centre at Coniston for you. You can use your own vehicle to launch at a wide concrete ramp or over a hard stony beach. There is a barrier secured car park. The fee for parking and launching includes mooring up at the pier. The staff were great and there is stacks of room. In fact I found launch and recovery much less hassle here and the cafe is very handy.

Friday we had excellent sailing but on Saturday and Sunday whilst the weather was superb the wind was lacking. Convivial lunch in the bay south of Peel Island. Saturday evening some members met in the sailing club bar whilst some had a meal and a drink in Coniston.

Eighteen members and friends attended with nine boats including Don and Sonia Rigg’s lovely little outrigger canoe.

Windermere — 18th-20th August by Brian McClellan

To say that the lake was busy would be an understatement. It was packed and with a lot of water skiers racing around until late at night, some of them without lights. None the less and despite the complete lack of wind it was an enjoyable weekend in the sun with some of us meeting up at Thompson’s Home near Belle Isle Saturday lunch time when we were also persuaded by Ted Hunt’s boys to go in for a swim. The boys had been really chuffed Friday evening because Ted had allowed them out in the Kestrel on their own. Peter Truelove keeps his Devon Dayboat on a mooring up at the north end; handy for his local flat. So local in fact, that he and Mrs Truelove rowed down stream in their little dinghy to visit our mooring in the Brathay just before dinner Saturday evening. They were only able to join us for the Saturday sail as they were heading south on Sunday morning. Only two boats moored for the night, myself in Water Mouse and Chris Battersby with son Jonathon and Tony Nield on his new 20 ft yacht. Roger Barnes with friend arrived in Baggywrinkle but intended sailing back to Low Wray after dinner and a pint or two. We arranged to rendezvous in the Waterside Hotel later in the evening.

Sunday, again no wind. Chris set off early to meet a friend. I drifted gently across the lake, determined not to use the engine today. Met Baggywrinkle and then the Kestrel with Ted driving and the boys swimming. Later met Les and Molly Higgins in their Tideway. Somehow we missed Chris Brookes and his Tideway 14. He was there, somewhere on the camp site.

A very pleasant weekend but with only 6 boats attending.

P.S. The camp site warden rang me up before the rally. What a helpful chap he is.

Portmadoc — 2nd-3rd September by David Morton

or ‘Rescued by Brian’ or ‘Who’d run a rally’

The weather had broken, my crew couldn’t come. Everyone I’d phoned as a substitute either wasn’t in or else had a prior engagement. I’d have gladly dropped out too but for the fact that I’d had a letter from John and Linden Kuyser, saying that they were coming all the way from Southampton to be with us. At this point Brian McClellan relented and said he’d crew for me. At the time I was relieved. If only…

Arriving at Portmadoc and the Portmadoc and Trawsfynydd Sailing Club to the customary warm welcome I soon found John Linden and their Westray 16 Rachel but no Brian; caught in the traffic he finally arrived 45 minutes later. The forecast NW winds had arrived so I suggested Abersoch instead of Barmouth to keep in the lee of Lleyn. Rachel went off to explore the estuary while we slowly rigged Restless. Incoming boat crews reported lumpy conditions at the bar, where by now the tide was quickly ebbing, so we decided to stay inside the estuary. It was at this point that I discovered my outboard had seized but after 40 minutes of strenuous effort in oilskins and with the help of WD40 I finally freed it!

Rachel had disappeared so we set off south-east in search of the channel across the rapidly uncovering sandbanks of Traeth Bach. We surged along on working jib only, slowly acknowledging that we’d never make it to the lee of Ynys Gifftan. We turned to port and aimed towards Portmeirion. Seconds later we ran aground. We stripped off footwear, donned shorts and slipped overboard into nine inches of pleasantly warm water. We eased Restless off the bank and got her to a channel I’d seen earlier on a walking trip with my wife Ann. Unfortunately the channel dried — it reappeared fifty yards on! Ah well…

We spun the boat round so as to be head to waves and wind, put up the A.J. Nield (orders sometimes taken) spray dodger and paused to welcome John and Linden who had been cunningly following us. It proved a pleasant and sheltered spot in the night as we each laid out bow and stern anchors. John ended up high on the sandbank next morning but we moved Rachel back again by shifting one end at a time towards the channel. My problems were not yet over as my Primus was playing up, but Brian’s wine helped us forget.

That night it rained cats and dogs but the tent kept it out. On Sunday we visited the amazing Portmeirion, £3 at the gate but free from the sea, then the sun broke through, the tide floated us off and we again enjoyed the spectacular mountain skyline and seascape of this wonderful estuary as we rowed — no wind, then motored — NW on the nose, towards Borth-y-Gest and the unfailing hospitality of P.T.S.C. Although we’d done very little actual sailing, we’d had quite an adventure in a superb setting and in good company. It’s a shame that so many of our pals missed it. Thanks to John, Linden, Brian and the P.T.S.C. for making it happen.

Derwentwater — 9th-10th September by Chris Battersby

I had been ‘volunteered’ to run this meeting and was not at all looking forward to it. Firstly Derwentwater is not my favourite lake. It is very shallow in many areas including the slipway. There is also a narrow and shallow channel from the slip to the lake proper. Just the thing to make life difficult for the Parker 21 owner. Luckily son Jonathan and I had decided we would be well advised to attend this meet in his Mirror. The only thing I was looking forward to was one of Sonia Rigg’s homemade scones.

Surprisingly however things soon started to look up. We had invited Gerald Harrison to come with us for the day and he very kindly treated us to breakfast on the way up. This put us in a much better frame of mind. On arrival at Derwentwater Marina we were delighted to see John Brooks with his Lugger and Cliff Laycock and crew with their Dabber. Within a few minutes Don and Sonia Rigg, berth holders at the marina, came and welcomed us. Son Jonathan speedily launched his Mirror and sped off into the lake obviously not wanting Dad to spoil the fun. Luckily for me Cliff very kindly invited me aboard and I spent a lovely day with him and his crew of Mary and Mick. I had never sailed in a Dabber before and I must say it is a smashing dinghy. There is lots of room for four and the dipping lug rig with jib and mizzen keeps the crew nice and busy. We were soon skimming along and got to the end of the lake in very quick time. We spotted the lake ferry in apparent distress with ‘failed engines’ and drifting. Being considerate mariners we ‘stood by’ to render assistance and pick up survivors. There seemed to be a lot of arm waving from the bow of the ferry and we were slightly embarrassed when we realised that a lecture was being given to a group on board. We quietly drifted off!

We were all impressed with Elaine and Chris Brook’s Tepco Tideway which sailed speedily and looked very traditional. Don and Sonia were sailing their exciting outrigger.

After an excellent day we retired to the marina bar for a welcome and well-deserved beer. Members should note that we were made most welcome by the marina staff and their charges are very modest. Food in the bar restaurant seems to be good and reasonable in price. This was altogether a very enjoyable meet. Although I personally think that to have two meets here on successive weekends is rather silly. As a footnote Derwentwater is best avoided if you happen to be a Stenna Sealink captain!