Brian McClellan

Another very well attended meet with the following crews:-

Sophie Annetts and Joan Abrams Mayfly Curlew Sian Brown & Graham Clipston Shipmate Senior Poojah Tim Bowden Topper Kathryn Frank & Margaret Dearden GP 14 Kyle Colin & Jane Firth Cruz Jenya Chris & Caroline Gilsenan Drascombe Kitty Ben Jones & Pru Manning Leader Rebel Percy Jackson with crew Cornish Coble Platypus Dick Morris & Eric Scholes Kevin & Jenny Leahy Lynx 14 Morning Star Brian & Kate McClellan Shipmate Senior Jezelle Alan & Catherine Suttee Sailing Tinker

For some reason this year most crews arrived early and on Friday boats were being launched or were already on moorings. Poojah had already spent a week in the area based on Mylor Creek. We held our crew meeting on Friday evening and decided to appoint a Sailing Master to provide inspiration and guidance to the crews. Graham (this being his first St Just meet) was unanimously elected to this important post. It was a bit undemocratic as he was not asked if he would like to stand for election. We enjoyed the joke with a typical greeting — “Good morning Sailing Master, what’s the wind going to be doing this afternoon?” etc. Graham who, with Sian, only joined the DCA last year took the ribbing with good humour.

Saturday: Warm and sunny, wind SE 3 occ 4. A break in cruise north up Carrick Roads into the Fal and up the King Harry Reach. Curlew opted to argue a point of sailing with the King Harry Ferry and survived. Stopped at the pontoon near Ruan Creek for lunch and, for the first time, had to pay the Harbourmaster £2 for the privilege. Boats then split up with some going to Malpas and others up Ruan Creek. We met up again (Morning Star, Kathryn, Poojah, Platypus, Kitty, Jezelle) at the Smugglers’ Inn for cream teas. Picked up mooring at 1845.

Sunday: At 0400 I woke up suddenly having been dreaming of my outboard engine lying on a beach and being smothered by the sea. This was no dream, I remembered that I had in fact left my little Seagull, used to power my new tender, on the beach at St Just Creek. With dawn hardly showing I drove as quietly as I could out of the campsite and down to the creek. The tide was well in but there was the engine with the water lapping at the propeller; another few minutes and the whole thing would have been under water. Back to camp and bed. When I got up again, it was to find a very warm day, hazy sunshine with cloud towards evening and some heavy rain. Wind E to SE 4 in creek with 5/6 outside. Some tinkering with boats but generally plan B (tourist) in operation.

Monday: Warm and sunny, Wind S4/5 occ 6. Only Platypus ventured out of Carrick Roads and she went to the Helford. Morning Star, Kyle, Rebel, and Jezelle went again to the Fal. For those who opted to sail in the river the going was never easy and always testing. On the return in particular against the floodtide with one minute sails completely slack and seconds later belted with a F5 gust. Back on the moorings about 1700 with those who had left cars on the spit stuck there for a couple of hours until the tide turned. Kathryn went to St Mawes to enable Tim to lunch in style in a cafe and then sailed up Carrick Roads to Turnaware Point.

Platypus waiting for Jezelle to catch up, en-route to Gull Rock

Tuesday: Fine sunny day. Wind 4/5 dropped to 2/3 later in day. Sea choppy. Boats divided, Rebel to St Anthony’s Head, St Mawes and Falmouth — another wet sail. Curlew to the Helford — choppy trip with wind over tide on the return. Morning Star and Kyle to Falmouth then St Mawes and followed tide up the Percuil where they were joined by Hannah & Chris Gilsennan in Kitty. Tim took a day off from his deep sea Topper and sailed with me in Jezelle. In company with Platypus crewed by Skipper Percy and matelots Desperate Dick and Sailor Scholes, our objective was Gull Rock off Nare Head. There was a deep swell at times with just the top of Platypus’s mast visible when Jezelle was between waves. The Bizzies — overfalls in Gerrans Bay — were a non-event and we had a great sail to and past Gull Rock. We sailed on about three quarters of the way across Verran Bay towards Dodman Point before turning back. Platypus took the inshore route whilst Jezelle stood out to sea and kept between 2/3 miles offshore nearly getting mixed up with an army helicopter to ship exercise. Jezelle was held in the offshore current and we had a bit of a struggle breaking out and making use of the flood tide into Carrick Roads. We picked up the mooring at 1845 well after Platypus whose crew had dashed off to St Mawes to see if we really were heading for France. Distance sailed 25 nautical miles and a great day. Tim thought he was sailing in a real yacht and had the disconcerting habit of happily sitting on the lee side of the boat.

Wednesday: Sun all day (showers had been forecast) wind West F3/4 occ 5. Rebel went to the Helford, non stop return trip and wet with it. Kathryn went to Falmouth then over to St Mawes for egg on toast in the cafe then met up with Morning Star and Kyle for a fester on the beach. Platypus’s stated voyage plan was for the Manacles but crew changed their minds and went to the Helford. Jezelle, not knowing where any of the other boats were, heading for also went to the Helford. Lumpy sea but warm and sunny. As Jezelle left the Helford we could see Platypus (or so we thought) well out to sea returning from the Manacles. We set a course to intercept them and only when well out did we realise that it was not the boat we thought it was. Later, back at Tretham Mill we found that Catherine and Alan had an interesting time when the centreboard of their Tinker snapped. In the conditions prevailing it was almost impossible to row the boat back but fortunately they were spotted by Morning Star and given a tow. In the evening we tried a new venue for the meet dinner and had a very convivial meal at the Plume of Feathers in Portscatho.

Thursday: Warm but cloudy. Rebel went again to the Helford River, this time in the company of Kathryn. Others sailing in and around Carrick Roads. Poojah pulled out yesterday and Jezelle pulled out today ready for a return home Friday.

Loch Lomond 23-30 August 2003 Brian McClellan

The cast in order of appearance:-

Jenny & Kevin Leahy Lynx 14 Morning Star Jane & Colin Firth Topper Cruz Jenya Margaret & Mike Jones Canadian canoe Kate & Brian McClellan Shipmate Senior Jezelle Shirley & Andrew Gillies Miracle Andromeda Varsa & Richard Moffatt Wayfarer Blue Minx

and three canoeists:-

Ron O’Neal - Open Canoe Group Ian Jones - Open Canoe Group Richard Jones - International Sea Kayak Association

The meet was based at the Forestry Commission camp site at Cashels, Rowardennan, on the east side of Loch Lomond just north of the village of Balmaha. The loch is (approximately) 34 kilometres long and 7 kilometres wide at its widest point. There are at least 12 islands at the south end which can be sailed round or landed on, the narrowest having safe channel markers. The whole lake is dominated by picturesque mountains and woods, in fact the setting is perfect. The camp site itself was a bit disappointing and needs to be upgraded; having said that the facilities were clean and an all day breakfast etc could be bought at the site shop. The charge of £6 per day for a boat, in addition to the camping fee, was excessive given that the only boating amenity was a little slip which we did not use as we launched and recovered across the beach. There was no charge for small craft which could be carried on a roof rack. Launching and recovering a boat the size of Jezelle each day would have been a real bind but I took my own mooring tackle with me and Kevin put out an anchor from Morning Star and tied a stern line ashore, the lighter boats beached on their trolleys.

The wind was virtually non-existent at the beginning of the week but the sun shone. Later in the week we had rather a lot of wind which made for some exciting moments. Trips included a visit to the island of Inchcailloch, a National Nature Reserve, which was a must with its small peak giving a fantastic view north up the lake and its sandy beach perfect for a picnic. Also Balloch and lunch on the ‘Maid of the Loch’. Incidentally, and surprisingly, there are no mooring facilities for short-term visitors in Balloch although the wardens take a lenient view of mooring at the launching and pull out pontoons for an hour or two, provided they are not busy. We went to Luss and Tarbet and Jenya overnighted right up at the north end. Most of the time boats acted independently. On the Thursday Jenny and Kevin sailed with me in Jezelle. We were about 3 km from the camp site when we were hit by a fair old huff and puff (later agreed to be at least mid F7) and the sailing became exciting. We were a little over pressed so hove-to and reefed. Ten minutes later the wind died completely.

Soon afterwards Kevin suggested Plan B, which was to run southwards and sail through the narrows between Inchconnachan and Inchtavannach — the narrows are very very narrow! So there we were sailing happily downwind in a gentle breeze, the channel markers were in sight and we were almost committed. Suddenly we were hit again with a mighty puffer and we took off like a jet ski. I confess to not being a happy sailor at this point; the narrows were rapidly approaching and I wondered whether we could take a short cut across the island. We just had time however to turn to starboard into the open water between Inchtavannach and the mainland when the wind, instead of being on our tail, met us head on and a few minutes later died completely. We dropped the sails, fired up the new Suzuki four stroke, cruised through the narrows, and returned to camp for 1700 hrs. We had to be back fairly early because Thursday night was the meet dinner, arranged by Kevin to be at the Pottery Bar in Drymen. We were joined for dinner by our canoeing friends. A particularly pleasant aspect of the evening was that we were picked up at the camp site by the restaurant’s minibus and returned again later. The meal was excellent.

Shirley prevented what could have been a serious fire in the McClellan tent (we were talking nearby) by sounding a warning in time for me to reach the tent and throw a burning tablecloth outside. Fortunately the only other damage was two plastic wine glasses melted, a National Trust baseball cap totally destroyed except for the metal buckle, and a blackened tabletop. As a warning to others, the fire was started by a citronella candle, burnt to keep the midges away. The candle was in a glass candleholder but the glass split, depositing the candle on to the tabletop. Result, near disaster. I must emphasize that the candle was not left burning at night but I am still embarrassed by the incident. So, all’s well that ends well and this camp ended well and was really enjoyable. The midges were a hit of a pain as chatting outside in the evening was an invitation to the little perishers to a feast.

As a postscript my mooring tackle may be of interest to members. The kit I made is suitable only for light winds but in conjunction with the anchor I felt that Jezelle was reasonably secure. I bought a plastic bucket and drilled a 25mm (1”) hole in the base. I then positioned an old grapnel anchor, opened out, inside the bucket with the head of the stock sticking out thro’ the hole in the bucket. With the bucket then supported on two bricks (to give the stock head clearance) I filled it up with concrete. Once fully set the bucket could be removed leaving a smooth sided block. About four metres of chain were then attached to the stock and connected to line leading to a buoy.

Derwentwater 12-14 September 2003 Colin Firth

Joan & Tony Abrams Falmouth Bass Boat Pladdy Lug Colin Bell David Moss design 13’ Puffin Mike Knott Enterprise (much modified!) Caribee Colin & Jayne Firth Cruz Jenya Frank & Margaret Dearden Crew of Jenya and Morning Star Keith Herriott Tideway Clearwater Kevin & Jenny Leahy Lynx 14 Morning Star Anthony Sluce Highlander 12 Fraoch John Hughes Lark Come What May Tim Bowden Mirror Herbie (?) Matthew Cunningham Stickleback Dory Maisie Lou Jim Gibney Crew of Puffin Mike & Margaret Jones

St Herbert’s Island

This was an excellent weekend, with winds stronger than I have known them all summer. A good force 5 on the Saturday, giving testing conditions on the lake with Force 4, gusting 5, on the Sunday allowing more conventional sailing! Derwentwater Marina is an excellent DCA venue; a small field doubling as a dinghy park and occasional camp site (with showers), with small craft moorings along two sides and a couple of slips. Being at the northern edge of the lake it’s usually easy to get home with the prevailing southerly winds — which were very much our lot this weekend.

We welcomed new members Jim Gibney, Mike Knott and Matthew Cunningham, and also Tim Bowden on his first Derwentwater meet.

Saturday dawned bright and sunny, with a light easterly in the early morning allowing easy access to the lake, but the wind soon veered in accordance with the forecast and increased in strength giving superb late morning sailing in Force 4. We met for lunch at the now traditional spot, St Herbert’s Island, which has a convenient gravel spit well sheltered from southerlies. Glorious sunshine and bacon butties (for some of us!) would be thought perfect for lunchtime, but what made it special even by DCA standards was the variety of boats, especially those of home construction or modification, lined up for inspection. I certainly had never seen an Enterprise modified into a beautifully crafted minicruiser before. This lazy lunchtime was prolonged, I suspect, by the increasing number of white horses — to the east and west the lake now seemed completely white and although we couldn’t see south from our haven we know the reputation of that end of Derwentwater.

Eventually one or two boats launched with double reefs and reached defensively between shore and island; Mike very sensibly headed north under half jib, soon followed by some of the other single handed boats after briefly sampling the delights of a Force 5 swirling 6! Puffin, with crew of 2 and double-reefed, handled the conditions superbly, Herbie showed how well a Mirror can cope, — till a stay plate broke loose! Pladdy Lug had been delayed launching but, in the northern area and crewed by Joan, Tony and John, was demonstrating the steadiness of a Falmouth Bass Boat under jib and mizzen. Happily the lake close to the to the Marina is sheltered from southwesterlies allowing relaxed recovery — what a bonus after a hectic sail!

The Farmers’ Arms in Portinscale provided high standard pub grub and a very friendly atmosphere on Saturday evening. Sunday’s wind moderated to Force 4/5 giving somewhat more relaxed sailing and a fitting end to the meet. Our thanks go to Dave Williamson for the use of the Marina.

Ullswater 26-28 September 2003 Jayne Firth

Matthew Cunningham Stickleback Dory Maisie Lou Andrew McLaughlin Topper Nowind Antony Sluce Highlander 12 Fraoch Colin & Jayne Firth Cruz Jenya Jim Gibney Mirror Kimba Mike & Margaret Jones tender to Dabchick Lesser Grebe John & Liz Heyward Skipper 14 Skipquayo Johny Adams & Dave Praties Privateer 19 Noarlunga Kevin & Jenny Leahy Lynx 14 Morning Star George & Isobel Saffrey occasional crew of Jenya & Maisie Lou Terry & Margaret Hughes Saturday crew of Morning Star

Clockwise from top left: Privateer, Howtown beach, chilling out on Ullswater

Well here we are again, reporting on the penultimate meet of the year in the North West Area calendar — it doesn’t seem like 6 months since February’s planning meet at Elton. The weekend started off promising, the weather forecast was good and for once we were so organised that we arrived at the venue, Ullswater Yacht Club, ahead of schedule! We were closely followed by George and Isobel, calling in at the end of a northern holiday; George joined us for an afternoon sail on the northern reach of the lake whilst Isobel opted for a good book and a comfy seat in the clubhouse with a superb view.

More members arrived during Friday afternoon, some early enough to launch and take advantage of the light winds before the evening calm, when it was time to partake of the now traditional ‘pie and peas’ supper provided by club manager Bill Powton. We welcomed Andrew to his first DCA meet; for Matthew and Jim it was their second meet, having survived a stormy Derwentwater a fortnight previously. Saturday dawned clear but disappointingly calm — the early birds, Matthew, who had travelled from Gateshead to sail for the day, and his enlisted crew, George, had to rely on arm power initially — but the wind had freshened by the time most of us set off after admiring Johny’s new boat, and lunch at Howtown Bay was taken in relays. Everyone enjoyed a good day on the lake with enough wind to make for interesting but not too hectic sailing. Mike & Margaret were delighted to find that their elderly Seagull was still giving good service. We enjoyed an excellent dinner in the clubhouse before settling down for a folk-singing session with John, Liz, Johny, Dave & Kevin providing music with a variety of instruments and Colin and Kevin leading the singing.

Brilliant sunshine and flat calm greeted us Sunday morning, and then a light northerly gave way to a good southerly breeze for most of the day. The lunch stop at lovely Sandwick bay was very welcome after beating up the lake and the wind held to give a superb run home. Our thanks go to Commodore Elaine Ball, Dave Lyons and the entire club who made us very welcome, and particularly to Bill Powton for his continuous help and friendship over the weekend.

Coniston 16-17 August 2003 Frank Dearden

Colin & Jayne Firth Topper Cruz Jenya Kevin & Jenny Leahy Sailing Canoe Brendan Eric Scholes & Percy Jackson Sussex Cob Jay Joan & Tony Abrams Falmouth Bass Boat Pladdy Lug Bernard, Paul & Yvonne Harman Skipper 17 Lady Jay Bill & Jayne Garner Wayfarer Ladybird Peter Ward & Keith Burn Topper Cruz Lewis Noble Lune Whammel Lune Raker Colin Bell Cat Boat Puffin David & Margaret Spensley Wanderer Rhapsody In Blue David Chatterley Own Design Iona Frank & Margaret Dearden GP 14 Kyle Mike Knott (Saturday meal)

On the Saturday morning the troops gathered as normal at the Boating Centre at the north end of the lake. They were staying at a variety of places including Coniston Old Hall campsite where boats can be launched across the beach. One of the Topper Cruz boats was launched from here and Jenya had spent the night with crew moored off the campsite.

The day dawned bright and clear with lots of sun. Fir Island was the chosen lunch venue and, unfortunately, there was no wind. Just about everyone had to resort to paddle, oar or outboard to get there; some being quite enthusiastic with Colin on Jenya breaking an oar. A convivial lunch was held with 22 people which I think is approaching a record for Coniston meets, (see photos). The wind increased after lunch. That night dinner was well supplied at the Crown Inn in Coniston, our normal venue.

Sunday came with a little more wind and so Horseshoe Bay was the lunch spot. Not everyone made it as some were pulling out early for the return home. After lunch, a few of the boats sailed to the southern end of the lake where the River Crake drains down to the coast at Greenodd. Not a memorable weekend from the sailing point of view but as always, the ‘crack’ was good and a number of new members were introduced to the regulars. Having a chat and sharing a yarn are essential parts of a DCA meet. Eric (bless him) regaling us with stories about his hernia belt will long be remembered!

Windermere 2-3 August 2003 Chris Gilsenan

Kevin and Jenny Leahy 14ft Lynx Morning Star Chris & Carolyn Gilsenan Drascombe Lugger Kitty Brief visits: Frank and Margaret Dearden for cocktails Large Powerboat

The RAF were saying thank you for ‘buzzing’ the Lakes all year, with an air show of ancient and modern over Bowness during this splendid weekend. The 14th British Classic Motor Boat Rally was also in full swing with 47 launches of various types gliding around the lake. It was a very busy holiday weekend with plenty of activity and fine weather but with mixed and, finally, fading winds. The lakeside was alive with parties and fun so your attending members were well rewarded with entertainment all weekend. Kevin and Jenny were overnighting on board Morning Star in Lower Wray Bay and Chris & Carolyn found their way around 11am, where Kitty was already on the beach in readiness for the event. We had a leisurely sail to the Low Millerground landing stage for lunch.

Whilst we were preparing to ‘come alongside’ the landing stage, Margaret and Frank Deardon appeared at close quarters, floating about in large and sleek very un-DCA craft around cocktails time. It was on the Jetty that Albert then emerged to our pleasure and surprise but from an even grander craft, with sandwich and thermos flask (see photograph).

The stalwarts then ventured on to the west of the islands around Belle Isle leaving Thompson’s Holme to starboard. Then into a series of delicate tacks amongst the veteran motor boats and commercial launches plying their way from jetty to jetty. This took us towards the ‘Lilies of the Valley’ islands and then we rounded Maiden Holme Island or One Tree Island, as it is known, and back through the tourists in rowing boats and ‘putt putts’ off Bowness. Then a quiet run, back to Wray Bay… or so we thought.

In a flash, a Tornado scorched into a display doing what they do throughout the year, but with more warning and showmanship. The modern manoeuvres were then followed by a flypast of the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial flight, which included a Spitfire, Hurricane and Dakota (DC9). This was a time of danger for yachts and all boats alike as crews craned their necks to watch the displays oblivious to others on the water. It was strange to see all manner of aircraft zipping and zooming through the rigging, so to speak. It was then the turn of the Red Arrows display team to paint split second pictures in the sky in red, white and blue smoke. To top all this the RAF Falcons ‘free fell’ from a Hercules some 12,000 ft up in the sky, landing on the pitch and putt golf course at the Glebe in Bowness with pin point accuracy, fortunately. We eventually arrived at Wray Bay after a very eventful day.

Sunday was a different matter. We met up and set sail in a light breeze. We left Wray Bay and made for the YHA jetty on the north-east end of the lake for lunch, on a park bench. By early afternoon we set sail but with little wind to gain ground against the wash from the busy launches. Another air display roared in the distance and holidaymakers packed the banks of the lake for another display. This then concluded a splendid ‘meet’ for Morning Star and Kitty and all who sailed in them.

‘Softies Meet’ Coniston Water 31 October - 2 November 2003 Brian McClellan

Sophie Annetts & Joan Abrams Mayfly Curlew Tim & Kathryn Boden Mirror Dinghy Frank & Margaret Dearden GP 14 Kyle Percy Jackson Rubber boat tender to Platypus John Lidstone Outrigger sailing canoe Geese Brian & Kate McClellan Rubber boat Salome, tender to Jezelle Colin & Jane Firth Boatless but booted Bernard Harman Work party slave driver Eric Scholes Work party slave and amazing food demolisher Chris & Caroline Gilsenan

The ‘Softies’ meet has become a bit scattered these days with only 5 members staying at the Waterhead Hotel, our original base when Keith Jones first suggested the meet. Others were staying at alternative hotels, camping, caravanning or, for the fortunate Lake District residents, joining us from home.

Friday: Settling in. Sophie had a long drive from southern climes, collecting Joan at Knutsford Service Area en route, but the ladies still managed to join Percy, Kate and I for a drink in the hotel lounge later in the evening.

Saturday: Percy, Kate and I set off from the Waterhead jetty and cruised round to the boating centre where we joined Sophie and Joan just before they launched. We were joined by Colin & Jane who were not going to sail but had opted to walk instead. It was a pleasant morning with a light southerly breeze and hazy sunshine. Then over to the sailing club where Frank & Margaret were launching Kyle. The small fleet lunched in the bay just south of Peel Island before cruising to the extreme south of the lake and a lovely quiet enclosed bay. The trip back was pleasant but starting to cool. We were accompanied by an elegant looking outrigger sailing canoe flying a DCA burgee. I was quite sure that it was not Don & Sonia Rigg’s boat but who was it? Later in the evening in The Crown I was approached by a chap who introduced himself as John Lidstone. My DCA sweater had acted as a beacon to a man sailing in a crowded pub looking for a harbour but with no local knowledge... it was he who sailed our mystery canoe and we were delighted that he joined us for dinner and was soon able to put faces to names he had only seen in the journal.

Sunday: Terrible day, high wind roughing up the lake and lashing rain. By the time we launched, at least the rain had stopped. The tenders to Platypus and Jezelle set off from the Waterhead with spray flying and looking like a marine assault squad. At the boating centre we helped launch Curlew and those brave ladies set off into the teeth of the wind and waves. Shortly afterwards my old Suzuki engine packed up (recurring carburettor trouble) and I had to row, fortunately downwind, back to the hotel. Percy told me later that the rest of the morning went well. In the afternoon Kate and I went to the Windermere Steamboat Museum, well worth a visit if you are up that way. So another season ends and we are looking forward to our North West Area meeting at Elton Sailing Club on February 7th and the National AGM, also at Elton, on February 28th.