Attending: Timothy Roberts Kittiwake Koriana Graham Finney (with friends, Steve & Robin) Lune Longboat Brisk Dave Hall Sparklet Peggy Frank & Margaret Dearden (boatless but sociable) Richard Moffat and Vensa (also boatless but equally sociable) The Altogether Pleasant Crew — Chris, Pete and a nice lady Drascombe Dabber Harry Bee (sorry, didn’t get the full names)

As it was my first DCA rally, turning up to an empty campsite at Low Wray on Friday night was a little worrying. It was a good thing I was with friends: if you’re going to be alone and isolated, it is best done in company. The night was cold and the morning was colder, frosty even. Then Tim turned up with his brand new Kittiwake gaff yawl. Like me, this was Tim’s first DCA meet. His boat, Koriana, is a delight; lots of wood, strings and brass. Cold was to be the order of the weekend as only Tim had brought wellies. Paddling up to our thighs in an icy Windermere holds little in the way of entertainment value.

When we set sail (with Robin crewing for Tim) there was hardly a breath of wind. Eventually a gentle breeze built up and it was lunch time before we got to High Wray Bay. We hadn’t come very far; Wray Castle was just a short stroll away. While we ate lunch, a small wooden gunter with cream sails approached from the south. Dave Hall had sailed Peggy a lovely little clinker dinghy, up from Storrs, halfway down the lake. We’d never met before but it was all very convivial. When we continued sailing, the wind had dropped again so Dave suggested we raft up to a buoy and enjoy a coffee. Many thanks to Dave for supplying the makings thereof. We cast off again into a slightly better wind. Brisk sheltered in the lee of a hill while the others disappeared into the distance. We were bringing up the rear when Koriana turned back somewhere south of Red Knab, while Peggy continued south.

When we returned to Low Wray, Frank and Margaret were waiting on the shore. We introduced ourselves and had a chat. They hadn’t managed to get their GP14 ready yet but they wanted to come along to say hello. Frank helped Tim erect his makeshift boat tent (the B&Q Tarp model) while we chatted with Margaret. It’s amazing how conversation can make you forget that you’re standing in ice-cold water with no wellies on, until chattering teeth forcibly brings your attention to it. We were then joined by Richard and Vensa who were staying the night in their newly acquired VW camper. They also joined us in the Drunken Duck later. As they were off to explore Scotland the next day, they had to decline the offer of a sail. After a good evening in the Duck, we helped (or rather, watched) Tim cast off in the dark onto the lake so that he could anchor and experience a night on the water.

The next morning dawned just as bright and cold as the previous day. Tim joined us for breakfast which Robin very kindly cooked up (Robin is our very own Water Rat, a veritable walking larder), and told us of the sounds he’d heard from his floating bed during the night — those of a group of (drunken?) motor-boaters crunching daddy’s pride and joy onto the nearby reef. Entertainment even on a cold morning!

Robin paddled in his canoe and Tim and Steve had a play in it too. Just as we finally prepared to sail Honey Bee arrived complete with crew and we had a chat. Turned out they had come for a sail unaware that there was a rally — strange coincidence. Richard and Vensa saw us off as we set off to explore the north of the lake, approaching the river entrance, sailing around Seamew Crag and then making for Low Wood Hotel. The presence of water skiers discouraged us from making a stop at the hotel, so we later rafted up adrift to have lunch. If Robin is our ‘Water Rat’ then Steve is our ‘Moley’: in raptures enjoying his first try at sailing and helping Robin empty his larder. It was a good sailing day with reasonably fast reaches interspersed with occasional calms. The wash from the big motor boats made for a mixture of entertainment and annoyance (depending on how fast we were going at the time).

On the whole, it was a good weekend. I can’t wait to meet others on another rally. Graham Finney

Bala 8th-9th July

Present were: Graham Nickolls & Gary Taylor, Seafarer 465 Hannabeth with their families Paul & Kathryn Bentley Caledonian Yawl Dreamcatcher Brian McClellan & Dave Morl Mirror Yes, But John, Liz & Jo Cannon, Dot & Kate Turner Wayfarer Cariad Dave Morton & John Hoxworth Wayfarer Restless 20 members of Taddbrook Sailing Club (Whaley Bridge)

The weather was wet, but Glanllyn campsite was universally declared to be ‘wonderful’ and we had a good sailing wind throughout, plus occasional glimpses of blue sky and sunshine.

Yes, But and Cariad sailed from the north end of the lake to Glanllyn and back on Saturday. Many people pulled out by lunchtime on Sunday, but a few of us stayed on enjoying a good sail until the evening. Two barbecues were lit in the drizzle on Saturday by people determined to have a good time in spite of the weather. Dave Morton

Coniston 22nd-23rd July

I have made a full list of those attending as I understand and Joan seems to agree, that this must have been the largest rally in recent memory.

Percy Jackson & Eric Scholes Cornish Coble Platypus Jenny & Kevin Leahy Fisher Lynx 14 Morning Star Stewart Calcutt & Phil Davies SOD 17’6” Karmatoo Andrea & Graham Nichols with Seafarer 465 Hannabeth Hannah 6 & Bethany 2. Jayne & Colin Firth Topper Cruz Jenya Margaret & Frank Deardon GP14 Kyle Cynthia & Richard Price with Sussex Cob Jay Joan & Bernard Harman Mary & Cliff Laycock with Mick Hasney Drascombe Dabber Wagtail Ted and Steven Hunt Kestrel Spirit Wings Joan & Tony Abrams Falmouth Bass Boat Pladdy Lug Leo Bowskill and family Cornish Coble Rosa Molly & Des Higgins Tideway Gemini Sid Dickinson Graduate Bonnie Rachel & Graham Finney with Lune Longboat Brisk Declan 3 and Rebecca 5 months Mike Woodhouse West Wight Potter Pippa

A total of 37 members to which can be added Paul Stanistreet and family (honorary members for the day — see below) making a grand total of 41!

Firstly heartiest congratulations to Cliff and Mary Laycock who have recently entered into the state of Holy headlock, this honeymoon cruise was Cliff’s treat for his blushing bride. In true tradition the newlyweds brought along their best friend Mick Hasney. Whilst on the subject of nuptials I noted that Rachel and Graham Finney were celebrating their wedding anniversary during this cruise. A warm welcome to newcomers to the Coniston rally and DCA cruising.

Jenny and Kevin Leahy with Morning Star, the first boat built by Kevin (wish I could build one), it sailed marvellously. It was very good to see young DCA members. In addition to Hannah and Bethany we were joined by Declan and Rebecca (the very youngest) and Ted Hunt’s son Steven.

Many thanks also to Paul Stanistreet and his family who brought and sailed his Sharpie 18 ketch for all to see. This is a very smart boat with bags of space for DCA type cruising, details are with Joan and hopefully will be in this Bulletin. (See Advertisement)

Saturday dawned clear, calm and blisteringly hot, the fleet congregating around the boating centre prior to the off. The first treat of the day entered (stage right) Charlie Allnutt and Rose appearing in their African Queen (a.k.a. Kyle) the Gunboat Ransome whilst entering harbour.

The fleet finally left and as you can see from the numbers took over the lake. Notable sights en route to the lunch stop were Topper No 2 and Mary Laycock swimming in the middle of the lake with Wagtail in attendance. I couldn’t see a plank sticking out from the said ship so Cliff must have got it inboard very quickly. Percy was now in possession of a reliable engine, well reliable after it had been dunked by Charlie and Rose.

Lunch was taken in the bay next to Peel Island where Jayne was the first to swim. Unfortunately Sid could not join us, he later cheerfully informed me, he had been rowing clockwise after losing a rowlock fitting and bailing due to a leaky centreboard bolt. After lunch the fleet divided with half going to the south of the lake. The wind then got up, blowing 3 and sometimes 4/5. It became quite fluky managing to come from the north or east to coincided with tacks. Irritatingly akin to cycling — staying on the nose no matter which corner you turn. During the evening a very large group of reddened people sat down for a fine meal at the Crown Hotel in Coniston, those sleeping aboard returning to the lake, some in time to witness a firework display in celebration of Ruskin’s centenary. It was a fine night for stargazing, gentle conservation and sip or two of whisky.

Sunday dawned a shade cooler and greyer than Saturday although as the day wore on the sun came back. However, there was a good wind all day and it blew steadily having lost some of its flukiness. After a good morning sail several boats drew up on Fir Island for lunch. Following lunch more sailing was enjoyed and as, sadly, all good things must come to an end, the rally closed late that afternoon.

It can be deduced from the attendance that there was one illustrious name missing, Brian McClellan the famous outboard mechanic ‘My Hero.’

I hope, dear reader, that you have found this light-hearted report entertaining and I wait to see what they say about me next! On a serious note I would like to close by sincerely thanking everyone who came to the rally. It was a truly wonderful weekend blessed with glorious weather and one that I am sure will be remembered for years to come. Mike Woodhouse