Attending: Joan Abram and Sophie Annetts Mayfly Hwilpe Cliff Laycock, Mary Aveyard & Mick Hasney Drascombe Dabber Wagtail Percy Jackson & Richard Morris GP14 Water Witch David Chatterley 13ft double-ender Iona Bernard Harman & Eric Scholes Sussex Cob Jay

The lake was like a sheet of glass under a blue sky when we left Coniston Boating Centre on Saturday morning. We must have looked like a very feeble Norse invasion as we all rowed down to Fir Island for lunch, glowing with fitness and the odd cardiac flush.

An excellent sailing breeze then took us to the south end of the lake in the afternoon, during which Percy’s newly modified GP14, with its gunter rig, proved to be very efficient and good looking to boot.

David was only sailing for the one day and had to return to the Boating Centre before 5pm. The access from the shore to the public road is closed when the staff go home, a point to note.

We enjoyed another meal at the Crown in the evening and another good day’s sailing on Sunday. For most of us this was our first sail in 1999; what a good start to the season. Bernard Harman

Anglesey — 1st to 3rd May

Present: Colin Bell Mirror Gadabout John Cannon Wayfarer Cariad Paul Harrison and Ian Page Beach Punt Peregrine Stewart Calcutt and Mark his nephew Junk Rigger Cruiser Karmatoo

Colin and I arranged to meet on Friday at Dinas Boatyard, Port Dinorwic where I had two surprises. I was spot on time just ahead of Colin, and secondly Port Dinorwic, as far as one Welshman is concerned, has vanished. The village is now called Y Felinheli. In contrast the welcome in the boatyard, from the manager Mr Graham Hobby, tel: 01248 671642, could not have been more helpful. The charge was £10.00 per boat for the weekend. There is also a chandlers on the site.

After the rigging of both boats we retired to Colin’s two-berth caravan which he had bravely offered to share over the weekend with Paul and I, to await Paul’s arrival. Then we all shared a tasty stew kindly prepared earlier by Helen.

Up early the next morning, well breakfasted, we were down at the yard by 9am hoping to see John. He arrived with his smart wooden Wayfarer just as we had launched. The substantial slip is available except for 1½ to 2 hours either side of low water. We came together after launching at Plas Menai, from where we sailed and drifted in the tide to Abermenai Point. All was calm and serene in the hot sunshine until the last 100 yards when the tide nearly got the better of us as it tried to whip us through the narrows. We had intended to beach the boats and go for a walk on the point, but the rip tide had other ideas and after landing with difficulty realised we had no chance. The tide was dropping fast. We therefore motored to the anchorage. As Paul stemmed the tide I dropped the anchor over the bows, and to my surprise saw it vanish backwards under the boat so I paid out the cable in great haste. Colin then rafted alongside and all was calm and relaxed again as we enjoyed a drink and a snack. Stewart and his nephew Mark now arrived. He had launched at Menai public slip which is available at all states of the tide. They then sailed through the Swellies arriving shortly after John.

Colin, Paul and I set off to motor back keeping close inshore to cheat the tide and had a great view of Caernarfon and the castle. At Plas Menai John, Stewart and Mark went ashore near slack water for a walk and Stewart pointed out a good dinghy overnight anchorage by Llanddwyn Island. This is very quiet and interesting being a bird sanctuary, but only usable when the wind has got east in it. That evening they moved further up the straits to spend the night north-east of Tay-y-fod. John settled nice and flat when they dried out but Stewart got the edge of a channel and ended up at 45° wishing he had lee cloths.

John rose early and having sailed to Dinas boatyard was waiting for us on Sunday morning. Stewart awoke just in time to see John sailing off. Although he later sailed to Port Dinorwic area looking for us we failed to see each other. So he sailed with Mark to Caernarfon and spent the day there. He was in for a pleasant surprise when he asked Mark what he wanted to do in the evening. Mark said to sail off and anchor as they had the night before. So they rushed back to the boat and managed to sneak out of Caernarfon on the last of the tide to spend a peaceful night out in the strait. On the Monday they returned to their launching site. Colin sailed with Paul and me because he had damaged his tiller the evening before. The day was spent leisurely sailing up towards the Swellies enjoying the hot sun and scenery including Plas Newydd NT, a magnificent dwelling overlooking the strait with its own waterfront and boathouses.

We had a relaxed sail back with the tide. John pulled out and when we had helped him ready his boat for the road we all walked to the local pub for an enjoyable meal and whistle wet. That really completed the weekend except that Paul and I had a short sail on Monday before setting off home. An excellent rally, hot and sunny, good company. A little more wind would have been nice but one must not tempt the gods. Excellent accommodation, at least for Paul and me. Many thanks to Colin for co-ordinating it all. Ian Paige

Ullswater — 14th to 16th May

A marvellous turnout!

Crew List: Bill Jones & Rachel Ryan Topper Cruz Arion Brian McClellan WWP Water Mouse Mike Woodhouse WWP Pippa David Chatterley own design Iona Cliff Laycock, Mike Hasney & Mary Aveyard Dr. Dabber Wagtail Margaret & Michael Jones Shipmate Senior Dabchick Ian Page + guests Janet & Malcolm Lawrence Lune Whammel Swallow Shirley Andrews Lune Longboat Wagtail Colin & Jayne Firth Topper Cruz Jeyna (occasional galley slaves to Water Mouse) Percy Jackson & Richard Morris Glen 14 Gem Mary, Ken, Matthew & Patrick Brown Wanderer Swift Mike Hall Essex OD Sparklet

Firstly a very warm welcome to those attending their first rally, having been members of the DCA for some time:-

Margaret & Michael Jones in their Shipmate Senior, a roomy sailing cruiser with very attractive lines. Mike Hall in his clinker Essex O.D. a gunter lug rigged traditional craft going back many years, they don’t make them like this anymore. Bill Jones & Rachel Ryan in the other Cruz — they’re taking over!

Launchings took place at various locations around Ullswater some favouring the Glenridding spit, others the campsite near Pooley Bridge. Both marinas were used, Brian, My Hero, and your correspondent launching at Fairfield Marina. The charge for the weekend at this marina was £26 — including showers, toilets, and pontoon berth — bliss!

Friday evening was warm and sunny but windless, just right for a make and mend. The evening was spent by the incumbents of both marinas yarning in the Brackenrigg pub.

Saturday dawned grey and yet again windless, a late start, drifting around with various groups meeting up. Your correspondent spent most of the day running in his new Johnson 4hp outboard — to be highly recommended:- very smooth due to twin cylinders, light, and stays where its put.

Several members had lunch at Howtown and then proceeded to sea. Brian was seen leaving harbour with a press-ganged crew — Jayne Firth rowing — Colin Firth steering and Brian on the bow looking the equal to anything on display at the RN Museum, Portsmouth. How does he do it? The ship, however, was making a passable impersonation of an aquatic Chinese laundry carrying main, genoa, mizzen, one small and one giant DCA burgee. (See photographic evidence).

Bearing down on this apparition was your correspondent, a brief discussion ensued and decision made to repair to the NT Cafe at Aira Force. Not wishing to be soundly trounced by your correspondent, Brian, in true Chinese fashion, stroked his magic lamp (aka Seagull on 10:1 or is that 1:10 mixture Brian?) and disappeared in a puff of smoke.

Cream tea and scones consumed, the fleet sailed for home led by the redoubtable Water Mouse minus the laundry but still visible from all points of the compass. The evening was spent at the Horse and Farrier in Dacre; some going on to a Ceilidh at the Royal in Dockray.

Sunday was much the same, however the wind did pick up and some useful sailing was done. Notably by Colin and Jayne Fifth, having returned to their craft for a breather. Sadly My Hero had to retire due to oil leaking from his Landy — much like the magic lamp. I might christen him Aladdin next time!

A really enjoyable weekend, even without the wind. Mike Woodhouse

Portsoy — 3rd to 4th July

The Traditional Boat Festival at Portsoy was the venue for this rally. Five people in two boats attended.

A full description appears elsewhere in this Bulletin. [164/32]