S.O.I.A. Anglia Group newsletter - August 2004

 

Ahoy there!

I have to start with an apology from my computer which got very sick and had to have a hard-drive transfer. This was caused by the stress of producing the August newsletter. Now it has recovered, the letter I wrote is out of date and I am having to start again, but best not make ‘Puter feel guilty or it might rupture it’s motherboard.

The Broads meeting came and went in a flurry of strong gusts, racing clouds and almost continuous sunshine, so high speeds and high spirits were the order of the weekend. Eleven whole Silhouettes launched at the Swallow Tail boatyard in Ludham; some of them were slightly less whole when they came out, due to the demanding conditions, and one or two newly acquired boats found their weak spots! Although some crews were present slightly reluctantly, they were all won over by the warmth of both sun and company, and are already looking forward to coming next year without their arms twisted behind their backs.

Noticeable by his absence was Tony Eden, who has had an operation on his ankles, and we wish him well and hope to have him back in the spring, because it wasn’t the same without him.

The other person who sadly wasn’t with us is Alf Baldwin, who died on 9th August, the day we got back from our summer cruise. He was brave, dignified and still funny in those last few weeks, so that friends were able to spend time with him and say goodbye. We'll sorely miss having Alf and Misty in the fleet. On the Anglia Group's behalf, I sent a card and a contribution to cancer care.

 
Present on the Broads:
Marion and Bridget Jones in SIII Jemima
Bob and Marion Legg in SIII Omebac
Howard and Hilary Orrom in SIV Greensleeves
David Milner and Millie the dog in SII Polly
Colin Robinson and Adrian Piggford in SV Allegro
Graham and Tanya Platts in SIII Olivia G
Colin and Rosemary Campbell in SII Sea Urchin
David Kuschel in SII Joanna
Mike Atkins and Kim in SIII Golden Moon
Derek Wilding and Ivan in SIII Emma Too 
Brian and myself in SII Sula
 
Notice that we had four marks (spelling?) of Silhouette present! We need someone with an S1 to join us… 

Several boats travelled long distances to be present; Sea Urchin comes from Devon, and Olivia G (ex Teejar) from Lancashire. (She had the unfortunate experience of having a wheel bearing go on the way home). Other boats came from the Midlands and the Home Counties. Thanks everyone for making such a great effort and for such a good weekend.

                                              *             *             *             *             *

Back in the summer, Brian and I had another memorable cruise in our trusty Eventide Avocet. We had three weeks with all sorts of weather, but also our fair share of sunshine, and found more beautiful and remote anchorages among the Western Isles of  Scotland.

Hopefully you have got the first instalment of my log with this newsletter.

 
So what happened at the August MEETING... 
 
I asked one of my best informants to inform me, and this my interpretation of his smoke signals:

Hi Elizabeth,

I'm a bit busy at work at the moment, so here is the important who/where/what information for the last meeting:

(1) Bill & Bet, Mike & Kim, Bryan, Mike D, Derek W.

(2) Upstairs, owing to party downstairs. Gate crashing not an option as Bryan was recognised.

(3) Discussions:

- Mike & Kim planning to come to Broads. [they did!]

- Bill & Bet will be going to a Westerly meeting.

- Derek hoping to get his boat (an SIII) ready in time for the Broads. He is trying to get his outboard sorted, and by chance Mike A had an identical non-working model that came with his boat. Derek now has this and is hoping to be able to make one working engine. [Derek launched Emma Too at Ludham but unfortunately the tiller broke and he had to return to base steering with the outboard motor.]

Mike

 
Important dates

We are hoping to fit in another weekend together on the Orwell or the Blackwater, before we lay up the boats for the winter. It will be at short notice and weather dependant, so that we can grab the opportunity of a fine weekend if it occurs! I will e-mail or ring every one who might come.

 

THE NEXT MEETING at the Orwell Yacht Club: Saturday 9th October, 8pm.

Looking forward to catching up with you all.

 

Last Gasp – How about you digital photographers sending some Broads pix to John Clawson for the journal – make our group famous! (It’s already infamous…)

 

Best Wishes

 

Elizabeth Letzer, Aug/Sept