This was an enjoyable few days of mild pottering for Joan and Tony Abrams in Falmouth Bassboat Pladdy Lug, but we were the only boat. Y Felinheli, formerly known as Port Dinorwic, was the base.

Dinas Boatyard was most helpful, and lent us a mooring. It would have been a better week still if we had planned it with lower water at midday, so that we could have crossed the bar and returned the same day. Joan Abrams

Derwentwater — 13th-15th September 2002

Attending:

Bill & Jane Garner Wayfarer Ladybird John Adams Wayfarer Noarlunga Albert Hattersley Cornish Cormorant Spirit 2 Colin & Jayne Firth Cruz Jenya Les Jeavons West Wight Potter Water Mouse Bob Measures West Wight Potter Wren John & Liz Hayward Crew of Spirit 2 & Noarlunga Frank & Margaret Dearden GP 14 Kyle John & Jean Wedgbury Selway Fisher 16 Ephemeral David Evans Family 14 Sona Ranald Campbell & Geyve Walker (Sat.) 16’ Jollyboat Piglet Jerry Evans and Tristrum (Sunday) Lysander Tropical Kitt

Once again September brought good weather, good company, good venue and good food. Despite our concern after a wet and windy April meet the weather was kind to us — at least for those members wanting a sunny and relaxing weekend. Any members hoping for strong winds to flex their muscles were disappointed. So far as we could tell the weather gave 100% member satisfaction!

The gathering started on Friday evening as a social event, the marina bar providing good food in a nautical atmosphere. Saturday dawned bright and sunny, but no wind at first. This was not a problem as there are much worse things to be doing than rigging one’s boat in the sunshine, and we had nine members who had not been on a Derwentwater meet before (including brand-new DCA members John & Jean, John & Liz and Bill & Jane) so they could soak in the atmosphere without pressure.

Derwentwater Marina is an ideal DCA venue; a small field doubling as dinghy park and occasional camp site (with showers), small craft moorings along two sides, a couple of slips and excellent bar meals. Being at the northern edge of the lake it’s usually easy to get home with the prevailing southerly winds — however light airs, mainly north-westerly, were our lot for the weekend, giving gentle but good sailing both Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday morning dawned bright and clear, a beautiful day but sadly no wind. The fleet included a brand new boat, Ephemeral, built and sailed by her owners, John and Jean. John said that he had launched the boat on a local pond and tested bits of equipment, making a few modifications before the first sail, which was to be this DCA meet. The boat took three years on & off to build and is a real credit to them. They were well pleased with her performance, although conditions were somewhat limited.

The fleet ever so slowly made its way to the spit at the north end of St Herbert’s Island for lunch. A familiar sail appeared and the older hands let out a cheer as Les Jeavons and Water Mouse arrived, having launched slightly after the main group. More than a few tales were swapped about Water Mouse and her previous owner, Brian McClellan — if you are reading this, Brian, your ears will be burning. After lunch the wind improved slightly for a time but the day was so warm and pleasant that there were no complaints.

That evening the meal was followed by a bevy of musical instruments being produced. Albert Hattersley on harmonica, Frank Dearden on guitar, with new members John and Liz playing respectively melodeon and guitar. John Adams said that he had carried his fiddle around to many different meets over the years and had never had a chance to play — but for once did not have it. However he entertained us all by borrowing John’s squeezebox. A memorable night with even the bar staff joining in the singing. Well done DCA footlights group!

The high pressure continued on Sunday, giving light winds again, and Jenya was straining at the leash having been ashore yesterday. Most folk were rowing or ‘checking their outboards’, but one or two stalwarts insisted on ‘sailing’ to Rampsholme Island for today’s lunch gathering. The last boats drifted over as most of us were lunching, comparing boat bits and generally idling in the hot sun — altogether an idyllic scene which prompted one new member to ask if the DCA had a word which conveyed a lesser sense of urgency than mañana.

But the wind picked up, as so often in mid-afternoon, and everyone had a taste of the real thing (well, Force 2/3 version) for an hour or so to give a fitting finish to a great weekend.

Our thanks go to Chris Bowns, Paul and the staff of Derwentwater Marina for their friendly & relaxed hospitality. All in all a great weekend. Maybe Jayne & I are biased but Derwentwater is a delightful place to be at almost any time. Colin Firth & Frank Dearden

Ullswater — 27-29 September 2002

Attending:

John Adams Wayfarer Noarlunga Albert Hattersley Crew of Water Rat & Jenya Colin & Jayne Firth Cruz Jenya Bob Measures West Wight Potter Wren John & Liz Hayward Skipper 14 Frank & Margaret Dearden (Saturday evening) Brian McClellan Shipmate Senior Jezelle Mike & Margaret Jones Shipmate Senior Dabchick Sian Brown & Graham Clipstone Voyager 13 Joe B Steve & Jackie Dawson Catalina 22 Colin Bell Harbour Launch Water Rat Martin Corrick Cornish Cormorant Daisy Bill Jones Cruz Arion Ed Wingfield Walker Bay 10 Cuddy Duck John & Jean Wedgbury Solway Fisher 16 Ephemeral Bill & Jane Garner Wayfarer Ladybird Terry & Margaret Hughes (no boat, Saturday only)

For some time Jayne & I had been looking for a base for an Ullswater Meet at which all members could be together. Last year David Laycock, Commodore of Ullswater Yacht Club, had suggested that we consider using the club for a meet. So early this year we contacted Dave Lyons, the Sailing Secretary, who was enthusiastic about the idea and we arranged this autumnal meet.

Superb sunny weather was a great asset, though the winds were only gentle for most of the weekend. About a dozen of use arrived on the Friday, most getting a brisk sail in the afternoon before the evening calm. The club’s caterers were not available till Saturday but Bill Powton, the manager, put on an excellent ‘pie and pea’ meal on Friday evening.

Saturday was sunny with light winds; the North-East contingent set off earlyish to sail the length of the lake but most took time to rig, enjoying the excellent facilities — plenty of space and easy launching — then aimed for the lovely bay at Sandwick for lunch.

We had a great evening in the clubhouse: first an excellent meal, then folk singing — Johnny with fiddle and melodeon, John & Liz with melodeon & guitar, Albert with a variety of instruments including banjola and many harmonicas, Bob and Frank with guitars. Club members joined in and the session lasted till midnight.

The club made jetty berths available for all who wanted to sleep aboard — half a dozen boats took up the offer; the rest of us camped. Jayne & I had to forsake our beloved and cosy campervan for a tent as planning restrictions forbid sleeping in vehicles but allow camping. Not a great hardship with early morning showers available in the clubhouse — and breakfasts for those with large appetites!

We welcomed new members on their first meet — Sian Brown and Graham Clipstone with their diminutive Voyager (Graham is quite tall so they sensibly opted to camp); for three other couples this was only their second time, having survived Derwentwater a fortnight earlier. Must be the autumnal weather.

Members, particularly new members who haven’t yet learned better, occasionally ask us what ‘the day’s plan’ is. The limit of organisation we are capable of is to suggest a possible lunch gathering, and this works well in the Lakes with open sailing and good beaches. So on Sunday Howtown Bay was the meeting place, and most folk managed this. But not Jayne & I, who spent so much time ashore that, with Albert as extra crew, we set off at lunchtime for Pooley Bridge — in the opposite direction.

One fascinating part of the weekend was rubbing shoulders with lots of lean mean racing machines — Forty-niners, International Sailing Canoes etc. Ullswater is a major club with many keen young sailors (and many keen older sailors as well of course) and I felt privileged to be around as these modern craft were being rigged, launched and raced. It’s rarely that we are at such close quarters with this major part of our sport, and the enthusiasm and friendliness shown by the club members over the weekend added greatly to our meet.

Our thanks go to the entire club who made us very welcome: David Laycock, and Dave Lyles for arranging things, and particularly to Bill Powton for his continuous help and friendship over the weekend. Colin Firth

Windermere — 19th/20th October

Present were: Kevin and Jenny Leahy Lynx 14 Morning Star Dave Chatterley Own design Iona Tony Hulland and Malcolm Craven Adventuress John and Liz Hayward Skipper 14 Kathy and Dave Morton Wayfarer Restless

We met up at South Camp just south of the YMCA National Centre on the south-west shore of Windermere. There is an excellent little slipway there, but the overhanging trees were a challenge for those of us with tall masts! Some people took several goes to find the place.

Iona, Adventuress and Restless got away in the early afternoon with a light, southerly breeze. On Tony’s advice we made for the gazebo on Storrs Point to see if we could read the names of the four admirals commemorated by it. As we had to get very close, this may have interfered with the romantic intentions of the couple occupying it at the time. The return trip was tricky as the wind turned very fickle. Adventuress did a little involuntary night sailing, but her crew returned cold but safe.

John and Liz arrived later and after tea/supper we convened in the YMCA’s Summerville House Lounge, close to where we held the AGM last March. We had a great musical evening starring Malcolm on his Northumbrian pipes, John on his accordion and Liz on retuned guitar, with Kevin and Jenny contributing dance steps and reminiscences from a lifetime of Morris dancing. John and Liz’s two greyhounds Bryn and Blackie also entertained us!

Kath (my daughter) and I parked the Sherpa under some oak trees for the night in order to avoid the worst of the frost. With two sleeping bags each we were both snug and only one acorn fell on the van. Sunday morning brought an onshore breeze and Tony returned from Grange to pull out, so Malcolm joined us. We contented ourselves with a short sail to Lakeside where we got well entangled in the fitful breeze with the racers from South Windermere SC. The forecast was for lousy weather so we all pulled out in good time, although Malcolm faced lots of wind and rain on his homeward trip by motorcycle.

It was a very good venue but rather too late in the year. Dave Morton

Softies Meet — October 2001

Firstly, my abject apologies to all concerned for failing to do this write-up last year. I could explain, but it would probably sound like a psychiatric report. Fate decreed that this year, 2002, was to provide me with no opportunity to sail whatsoever, and so I’m actually glad of the chance to recall the good times.

Here goes:- Phil Davies and I arrived early Saturday morning to wait for the sailing centre to open. I say early, meaning just after midnight Friday because, of course, you’re not allowed to ‘overnight’ in the car park! Phil got a favourable weather report from the sailing centre when they opened and so we began the rally in an optimistic mood.

Attending the rally:- Percy Jackson and Eric Scholes in Cornish Coble Platypus. Bernard Harman and potential member in Suffolk Cob Jay. Myself and Philip in my Junk rigged o/d Karmatoo. Brian McClellan and Allen in Brian’s new Shipmate Senior Jezelle. The Hunt family in their Kestel Mk 1. Keith Stinson with 14’ Yachting World Dayboat.

A mix of drifting and sailing on Saturday saw the Hunt family, Ted, Josephine, Andrew, and Matthew in the Kestrel, running rings round everyone with ease whether the wind blew or not. Keith Stinson arrived Saturday but had to dash back home without seeing anyone, then coming back to stay the week when he met up with Eric on Sunday. Saturday evening’s meal was enjoyed by Bernard and his wife along with other members, marred only by Richard Price’s wife Cynthia feeling unwell.

Sunday morning saw Jezelle moored at the sailing centre for running repairs. Shear pin trouble, a tear in the foresail, and a cat’s cradle around the furling gear. (My Junk rig is in permanent ‘cats cradle’ mode). Everyone took it in turn to inspect Brian’s new boat, demonstrating one of the attractions of the DCA. Unlike racing clubs, there is no competition. No two boats are the same, and everyone seems genuinely interested in your craft, be it ever so humble.

Later in the day, in the bay just past Peel Island, a few members of the ‘Prostate Club’ gathered for lunch (you all know who you are). Chit chat and stories flowed, Eric Scholes anecdotal enthusiasm reigning supreme. My favourite recollection? When he turned up at Derwentwater sitting on an ordinary domestic chair lashed to a dubious Wayfarer hull propelled by, I think, an Optimus sail. The boat was subsequently to be folded in half when rammed by a well known West Wight Potter!

Well that was my last rally, my last sail, and my last contact with the water for the foreseeable future. I miss it and the people greatly, but to quote the Terminator, “I’ll be back!” Stuart Calcutt