Four of the Hostellers SC/DCA members sailed from the base at Paglesham via the River Crouch and the Raysand Offshore channel. Richard Farr and Mark Smith were in the club Wayfarer, and Len Wingfield and Mark Tingley were in Len’s 14 foot Leader.

Wayfarers being faster than Leaders, the Wayfarer carried Mark Tingley’s gear so that with the extra weight, the speed of the two boats was very similar. With the fresh wind, Len was glad of the crew weight to power his boat to windward.

At Goldhanger Creek we were met by our host, John Adye, but no other boats turned up. We had hoped that we would have access to the hospitable Goldhanger SC’s grounds for camping but as they were closed three of the party camped below the sea wall while Len spent the night in his boat. Ted Jones joined us later for a very pleasant evening.

Returning we switched crews as is HSC custom, and had time to stop off to lunch in the pub at Churchend on Foulness Island. Notwithstanding the few attending it was an excellent weekend and Len found it well worth his long journey from Guildford.