S.O.I.A. Anglia Group newsletter - November 2004
Dear
Buddy-Boaters,
Here I am at last, after another enforced
computer silence. Now I have upgraded to XP in a search for stability, I can't currently
load my Microsoft Office, hence the different look. I am so fished off with
computers.... but I will try not to let it dampen my creative flow. Nothing to
report on the sailing front, but lots of planning going on for next year, with
the East Midlanders hoping to lead a trip to the Golfe de Morbihan in Brittany and
the Northerners considering cruising to the Isle of Man. The Anglians are overflowing with ideas, from sailing between
the hulls of a Seacat to circumnavigating Foulness.
I'm still waiting to circumnavigate Osea Island
myself - Roy Sporne tells a nice story about going
aground on the Causeway and an ice-cream van stopping to sell him one! (I don't
think I made that up...). Not only my computer has let me down lately but also
my kettle, toaster, vacuum-cleaner and car, and it was the latter that
prevented us getting to the last meeting. However my trusty correspondent
Atkins has sent a report:
“Hello Elizabeth, Sorry that you could not be at the
meeting this month. I hope that your blowing exhaust has been fixed by now.
There were 7 of us who made it to the meeting and the topics of conversation
were wide ranging (and some were even boating related!). As is usual for this
time of year there was talk of the jobs that needed to be done over the winter.
Most of these were quite small (fix the leaking windows, check the rigging, buy
up-to-date charts) and most of mine are the same as I was planning to do last
year. Bob has a more ambitious plan and was talking about fitting a new engine
in Magic Dragon.
We also considered why it is that more Silhouettes came to the weekend rally on
the Broads than were at the
Perhaps our Brightlingsea meeting should be
designated as the "national rally" next year? We could easily fit in
a few races (e.g. Colne Yacht Club bar to Wivenhoe Yacht Club bar, Pyfleet
channel to the Green Man in Bradwell - first one
there gets the beers.)
Audrey was in the OYC bar and is feeling a lot better after her operation. This
went very well and although she was still not allowed to put any weight on her
leg the pain has gone away.
Golden Moon was hauled out a few weeks ago and is looking very small next to
the other boats at the yacht club. I'm planning to visit her in the next couple
of weeks to give her a good clean before tucking her in for the winter. As always, I'm feeling a bit depressed at the thought of not
sailing for a long time. Perhaps we could trail down to the Med? Now
there's a thought...
Mike.”
News from Friends…
Bob Nicholson hasn’t been near his SII Amy much this year – she was out of favour after breaking her mooring at Blakeney the previous year and scratching the gel coat of a posh yacht, expensively as it turned out. However, the Montague Whaler has been busy; she came first in her class in The Great London River Race, rowed by a team from Blakeney, for the second year running. Then Bob took her up to Tarbert Loch Fyne to a classic boat rally weekend, then sailed her to the top of Loch Fyne to cruise and camp for the week. The midges drove him to camp aboard rather than ashore (not quite so comfy!). Marga wisely stayed with friends in the area. Most recently, Bob entered the whaler in the Old Gaffers race in the Maldon Town Regatta. In winds gusting 7 to 8, Bob and his crew of three reefed right down but were still nearly knocked down, and half filled the boat with water - Bob reckons buoyancy bags kept her afloat . This slowed them and they crossed the line well and truly last. However, a head popped out of the pub window as they sailed past to announce them second – in their class of two!
Mike Dacey is off to
Roy Sporne, previous owner of our SII, and builder of SII Millennium Girl, now sold and rechristened Millie, is said to be getting itchy tiller-fingers. Perhaps he would be interested in the next item…
FOR SALE: One of our revered and senior members, Bill Bass, is reluctantly letting his lovely little GRP SII Willow go to a new and loving home. The boat is ready to go with new sails, trailer two outboards and all equipment. Bill considers her worth £2000, but might accept £1500 from the right person. Please somebody grab her while I hang on to Brian.
NEXT MEETING – Sat 11th December, 8pm, Orwell
Yacht Club,
After-Christmas Dinner – Saturday 8th January at the Butt and Oyster, Pin Mill.
I suppose I need to mention Subscriptions as its That Time of Year. I think it would be fair to reduce e-mailed letters to £5.00 and printed ones to stay at £7.00. Last year the regulars paid at the After- Christmas dinner and that will be fine. (If not, fines.) Cheques payable to me please.
A little tip from MAURICE GRIFFITHS about sleeping comfortably on your boat:
‘Unless your ship is big enough to have a separate
sleeping cabin, where the bunks can be made up each morning with snowy sheets
and pillows like any passenger steamer’s bunk, you will find the best and most
convenient type of bedding is a good, warm kapok sleeping bag.At
the end of a hard passage or a day’s racing it is purgatory to have to make up
a bunk “properly” with sheets and blankets. You merely unroll your
sleeping-bag, lay cushions for your head (with a pillow slip or handkerchief to
keep them clean, and turn in. In the morning it takes but ten seconds to roll
up the flea bag, stow it in its locker at the foot of the berth, and stow the
pillow slip.’
ENCLOSED – More adventures of Graham on the High Seas.
Elizabeth Letzer, December 04