A small select band met at Low Wray camp site on Saturday morning; Kevin and Jenny Leahy in their 12’ Seal dinghy Dove, Mike Cottam with two canoes (one for sailing) and Eric Scholes and myself in the Sussex Cob Jay. In the event Mike abandoned the canoes for the day and joined us in the Cob.

The weather was beautiful but the wind was quite light and it took all morning to beat down to a very pleasant lunch spot opposite Low Wood.

Sailing was abandoned on the Sunday as there was again very little wind. Mike then made good use of his canoe. Needless to say the wind picked up once Jay was ready to trail away.

Anglesey 1st - 4th May by Colin Bell

Present were:

Ian Page and Paul Harrison in Suffolk Beach Punt Peregrine John Cannon in his green Wayfarer Colin and Mike Bell in cutter Phoebe Stuart Calcutt with Phil Davies in junk Karmatoo who launch at Menai Bridge

The general plan was to sail up the east coast of Anglesey and to spend the night just past Point Lynas in Porthyrysgaw. However, with the north-easterly winds which would blow straight into the bay, it was decided not to venture out round the point.

I was on my half-tide mooring in Red Wharf Bay and Phoebe was sheltered by the drying banks from all winds except easterly, but even they are all right when the tide is out.

Ian rang me to say that they would be arriving on Friday afternoon, so with the winds being more easterly, I suggested that they join me in Red Wharf Bay for the night. They launched Peregrine in front of the Ship Inn at high water 3pm and I was on hand. We both got our boots filled with water but eventually Peregrine was motored to a spare mooring.

We had arranged to meet John at lunch time Saturday at Treath Bychan so we left the moorings at 0430 to motor down the winding channel. I was single-handed at the time and when my l/s Seagull got pooped when I reached the open sea, I had to venture onto the foredeck to anchor while I sorted out the sails. It was not the best place to be in the breaking seas. Paul and Ian arrived having set some sail before leaving. Their engine was racing when it came out of the water between waves.

We sailed up the coast and picked up moorings in Moelfre for breakfast. We went ashore so I could telephone son Mike to tell him where he could join me in the evening. As the wind fell away we ended up by sailing leisurely to Treath Bychan and then all sailed back to Red Wharf Bay where Mike joined us all on Phoebe for a natter and to share a couple of bottles of wine.

On Sunday — HW neaps 0454 — we could see the breaking seas outside the bay so had a lie in. Then we had a walk and then a sail on the evening tide. I joined John in the Wayfarer and Mike sailed with Ian and Paul in their roomy beach punt. We sailed up to Puffin Island and back and then Ian and Paul pulled out at high water.

On Monday — HW 0602 - and better weather. We left the bay after HW and John sailed back to Treath Bychan to pull out. A pity as the wind had gone round to the north-west and Mike and I had a superb sail all day. Back at the mooring at 1830 and a late drive home to miss the traffic.

We didn’t meet up with Stuart and Phil as after launching at Menai Bridge they sailed down through the Swellies to Aber Menai with a fleet of larger yachts, taking part in the Commodore’s cruise of a local sailing club. Stuart said the junk rig did very well indeed and they showed their stern to quite a few of the yachts.

After last year’s meet Dave Morton said that he wouldn’t use Treath Bychan as a launch site again because of the jet skis etc. He was right and probably Stuart and Phil had the best of the weekend weather. In hindsight we should have crossed the island and launched at Treardour Bay to gain some shelter from the land. However the rest of us enjoyed each other’s company, which is what a dinghy cruise is all about.

Loch Lomond 23rd – 30th May by Jeff Rogers

Attending: Albert & Joyce Hattersley Falmouth Bass Boat John Mays, Eric Scholes & Percy Jackson Dart Bob & Linda Abbott Valiant 18 Ken & Mary Brown Wanderer Sue Davies Wanderer Joan Abrams & Sophie Annetts Mayfly Hwilpe Terry & Margaret Hughes Mark & Amy Carrington with niece Stephany GP14 Bimbo Jeff & Owain Rogers Hartley 16 Maggie Ann

It seemed that we had missed the best of the weather by about a week according to the campsite warden on our arrival. However, we all had an interesting meet with very variable conditions. Most members, of course, were meeting old friends but Owain and I were making new ones.

We had an uneventful trip north from Sandbach, meeting an old friend, Mark Carrington, with his daughter and niece with his GP14 Bimbo. As he is a non-member I’ve been working on him for some time. He joined the group at the Millarochy camp site. Mark became a member of the DCA following the meet.

We arrived at the site late afternoon, just in time to have an hour on the water after pitching our tents. Everyone else seemed already to have arrived, with Ken and Mary in exile further up the loch at a delightful log cabin.

Terry was without a boat as he had trailer trouble, and was most welcome on Maggie Ann as the most experienced crew member, including the skipper! For our short excursion that evening we set off on the motor for the tiny islet of Ceardach. Surrounded by deep water the rocks close to look most forbidding but there is an easy landing place for small boats in a natural ‘harbour’ on gently shelving rock. Historically, ore was smelted here and the island had been called The Smithy but the modern name is Gerbil Island as a pair were released here in the 1960s. There is no evidence, though, of their survival.

Sunday 24th May

I’d happily accepted the request to co-ordinate this meet, but had been forewarned by DCA Bulletins that this was not the same as organising it! Trying to organise DCA members would be like herding cats. Accordingly, everyone agreed where we should meet for a picnic and then sailed where they would. I’d been having some difficulty with my rudder and was pleased at the prospect of Terry accompanying me and Owain and offering some friendly advice. Over the week I was to receive a number of tips for modifications to this and other parts of my boat! We met for lunch on a sandy beach at the eastern tip of Inchlonaig and spent a pleasant couple of hours chatting and watching other boats sail past. Ken and Mary had sailed down from their cabin and announced that they would have a barbecue on Wednesday evening. The crews of the larger boats at the meet were preoccupied with launching, needing the slip and deeper water at Balmaha, and so were not with us for our picnic.

Later, as we sailed in Millarochy Bay, we had difficulty in getting the boat to point. I reflected that I was lucky to have a highly experienced ex-RYA dinghy instructor with me and when I suggested we put the plate down he immediately agreed. Later in the afternoon the weather began to deteriorate and the loch was particularly lumpy as we made our way to the campsite. Spray flew from the tops of the waves at one point and once ashore Albert and Terry reckoned the wind had reached F6. Wind unpredictability was to determine our activities for the remainder of the week.

Monday 25th May

Eric told us of a stretch of sand near Luss and a particularly secluded beach on the southern part of Inchconnachan, with an interesting approach through the narrows between this island and Inchtavannach. A number of us resolved to meet there for our picnic. Owain jumped ship, attracted by the opportunity to crew on Mark’s GP14 in these blustery conditions. Mark’s charges on the other hand preferred the shelter of Maggie Ann’s tiny cabin. As we made our way towards Luss the conditions were again unpredictable with changes in wind direction and force. Mark and Owain planed past us several times and Albert got a couple of camera shots of them from Dart. We had intended to beach near Luss before visiting Eric’s Bay but with a northerly wind sweeping that exposed shore we agreed to head for The Narrows and shelter.

The Narrows, with its calm water and overhanging branches, is like a scene from The African Queen and well worth a visit. It is a buoyed channel with a number of underwater obstacles so we were careful in our approach and navigation. The wind was almost still here and Mark was hardly making way in the GP14. Maggie Ann was creeping along under power. We made a line ready to tow Mark should it be needed to save paddling. Then, just as it seemed they would ghost through under sail they were slowly overtaken to windward by a yacht under power and sail. Deprived of wind, Bimbo stopped. With a line secured both our boats entered the bay.

Given the conditions of the week, this bay was to be a popular destination offering shelter from any wind. The horseshoe is almost sealed by the island of Inchmoan and the water seems impossibly calm compared to the conditions elsewhere. This is where Dart and the Valiant spent a number of nights during the week. None of our party was in the bay when we arrived, and we set-to with the kettle and sandwiches. Each time we visited there seemed to be the remains of a fire and the children enthusiastically fetched further dry wood. Around the fire, Owain told us of their fun on Bimbo and the perfect photograph from Dart. After lunch we prepared to set off again just as Dart arrived and Albert Hattersley joined us to motor back to Millarochy. That’s when he told us there was no film in the camera!

Tuesday 26th May

It had become clear that the wind, usually northerly with forceful gusts, was going to cramp our style. We decided that we would sail down the loch to Balloch to pick up a few things at the shops. Most had decided to do their own thing. Sophie was interested in a sail in Maggie Ann and so with a complement of six we set off. As we entered the river to Balloch a couple of hours later the clouds had begun to darken but there was not yet rain. We crept up to the wall near the road bridge to tie up but were chucked off this as it seems these berths are reserved. Finally we went back up the river for a couple of hundred yards and found a tiny sandy beach, just big enough for us. We ate our lunch on a grassy bank and set off for the short walk into Rannoch.

On the way back we were destined to use the motor. It seemed that whichever way we turned the wind would alter to hit us on the nose. Those dark clouds blackened overhead and instead of rain we had a heavy shower of hailstones.

Wednesday 27th May

Sue Davies’ crew had deserted her and been dropped at the station. Mark agreed to crew in Sue’s Wanderer and Maggie Ann took the three children, meeting again at the horseshoe bay. By this time much of my rudder’s trouble had been attributed to the bullseye I had used in my system to pull the rudder down. I had located it on the upper forward edge of the blade where the end of the line was tied off, and it fouled the hull before the blade was properly in place. I’d never had the rudder in place with the blade down ashore as I’d need a groove in the drive. Simple. Like the skipper.

And then the barbecue! Ken and Mary provided an endless supply of food and the weather was relatively benign. The location is truly spectacular, with easy access to the water and a two-tier wooden pier with steps to the lower level. At the end of an immensely enjoyable evening I remembered to thank my hosts and stumbled toward my (chauffeur driven) car.

Thursday 28th May

A late start for many! Mark, Amy and Steph leave for home, more crew arrives for Sue. Joan decides to spend some time showing Sophie how to scull, and they set off after lunch intending to stay, as far a possible, close to shelter. Albert, Owain and I take Maggie Ann out for a blow. Now the rudder problem seems solved and it’s a different boat. Hardly a touch on the tiller now in normal conditions.

Albert’s son, John, arrives with his girlfriend hoping for a sail. Conditions, though, are unfavourable. We all tidy up and a few of us go off to the pub for a pint or two.

Friday 29th May

The bit I’m dreading. No, not the end of the meet, getting Maggie Ann properly onto her trailer. I found it easy the first time but have had problems ever since. First though, another trip to Horseshoe Bay, this time just me and Owain. The kettle comes nicely to the boil on the fire and we’re just having a cup of tea as a black powerboat with black windows Twelve Inches creeps into the bay. A few of us have seen this boat over the week, and there has been some discussion on the derivation of the name. I strike up a conversation. It seems there are twelve islands whose names begin ‘InchÖ’. The owner tells us he has just pulled Bob’s Valiant out from Luss against the wind and, even though a power boat, therefore deserves to be mentioned in this despatch.

Saturday 30th May

Off home. The end of my first proper meet with the DCA and some new friends made. A few days after our return and Eric Scholes is on the phone offering a nearly complete Graduate to Owain. This is now sitting in the barn where Maggie Ann was built. Where will she sail first? Loch Lomond 1999?

Coniston 27th - 28th June

The forecast was poor for the weekend, nevertheless nine boats were launched. The lake was at its highest summer level for many years.

Present were: Brian McClellan WW Potter Water Mouse Joan and Tony Abrams Mayfly Hwilpe David Chatterley Double-ender Iona Richard Morris and Percy Jackson Glen 14 Gem Stuart Calcutt, Phil Davies & Gerald Harrison Junk rigged Karmatoo John Mayes, Eric Scholes & Bernard Harman Sussex Cob Jay Frank and Margaret Dearden GP14 Mike Cottam and friend Gaff rigged Sussex Cob Mike Woodhouse, from Nottingham WW Potter (+ Prosser’s rum)

Saturday dawned wet and blustery. There was a loose arrangement to meet at 10am at the National Trust Boating Centre which had excellent launching facilities, including tractor assistance. Water Mouse and Karmatoo had spent the night tied alongside the public jetty but by the time we arrived Brian had already sailed off down the lake ‘for a sleep’! At this point four or five hefty men were seen attempting to launch 12’ Hwilpe which refused to leave its trailer, it was discovered eventually that Joan has a secret attachment, presumably to utilise the trailer as heavy weather ballast. We did not need artificial aid in the Cob, the crew weight, including Frank who joined us for the day, amounted to 56 stone plus.

The weather improved as the day progressed and we enjoyed some excellent sailing. Some of the fleet discovered a small bay, sheltered from the south-west, adjacent to the Brown Howe public access area. This spot was used for lunches and good overnight anchorage. Of the eight who met up for a natter and meal at the Crown in the evening, only Mike Woodhouse returned to a boat for the night; but he did have the rum.

Sunday’s wind was rather stronger and provided another enjoyable sail. The moveable ballast inlay was reduced a little as Frank returned to Margaret and their GP14. The high water level caused a few problems; Gem was not relaunched as it had sustained some damage, due to the lack of beach adjacent to the Caravan Club site; also some normally visible rocks at the entrance to Secret Harbour on Peel Island were just below the surface ready to catch the unwary.

One of the joys of a meet is to be able to appreciate the variety of boats, e.g. the beauty of Iona and the fantastic junk rig of Karmatoo. This weekend I had the additional pleasure of comparing two Sussex Cobs with identical hulls but totally different deck and rig arrangements.