Emsworth Winter Meeting 4th February

29 members and others attended our meet at the Black Dog, Emsworth. The food was excellent for the price and we made a small profit to set against possible future losses should bad weather discourage attendance. As usual the meeting was informal, chatting and passing photos around, but the optional show of ‘Memory Lane’ DCA slides fascinated new members and old hands alike. Our policy of picking dates with suitable tide times paid off for two of us. Alan Glanville launched his Viking style Ness Yawl with me as passenger (I was recovering from an operation), and despite a chilly NW wind and slight rain in the afternoon we had a good day’s sail.

Calshott — DCA AGM 18th February

This was also combined with sailing. The Ness Yawl was sailed to Beaulieu and then camped at the Folly Inn on the Thursday. My modified Skipper was sailed from Warsash to Cowes on the Friday, both camping at Ashlett Creek on the Friday. We were joined by two members in a Drascombe Lugger at the AGM. The increasing wind made the short return to Warsash exciting. I was reefed down to 45 square feet on my 12 foot boat, and even so appreciated Bob Lomas driving all the way round to Warsash to ensure I had made it safely. Liz Baker stayed on so she could sail on the Sunday.

Sailing conditions have often been good and sometimes ideal this winter. I have been out every month.