What a lot of sailing we have done since I last wrote, which I will describe in chronological order.

In August we sailed Avocet, our Eventide 24, from Lancashire (the River Wyre) to Inverness, via the Isle of man, Northern Ireland, the Scottish islands of Islay, Jura and Luing, Loch Linnhe, and the Caledonian Canal. Faced then with 530 miles of East Coast south to Norfolk, and five days of strong southerly winds and gales, we did an about-turn at Inverness and went back through the ‘Cally’, just as beautiful the second time in spite of the gales, then took a more westerly route through the Scottish Isles, returning to Lancashire again via the Mull of Kintyre, Northern Ireland, the Mull of Galloway and the Cumberland coast.

We had many adventures on the way (not all pleasant...), and I am in the process of turning the log into a ripping good yarn for you to read!

As for The Broads Rally, what a weekend – wall to wall sunshine for those of us who launched on Friday and pulled out on Monday. Others came earlier and left later, but sunny and breezy was mostly what we got! Ten boats launched, which was a wonderful turn-out, and ten boats got hauled out again at the end of the long weekend, which was a good sign! I suspect that ten boats ended up in the reeds at one time or another, usually tacking in confined spaces while surrounded by other boats, when reeds are the softer option...

We launched at Martham, and spent Friday night below the bridge at Potter Heigham, eating at the Broadshaven Tavern - when we finally got served that was - and enjoying (enduring?) some highly talented karoake, including Elvis Presley as you never heard him before!

On Saturday we retraced our steps to Martham to assist the Orroms with launching their new (to them...) SII Isis, then sailed up to Hickling Broad for lunch. In company with many others we piled downwind into the ‘Pleasure Boat Inn’ dyke, and enjoyed a beer; meanwhile the wind got up considerably.

We had engines to help us out of the dyke unlike various broads sailing cruisers, so watching the antics of boats failing to exit their berths in a headwind was prime entertainment. I’m glad to say that the Silhouetters gave every assistance to help them leave, including a tow in one instance.

So, our next leg was an upwind and windy one, back up Deep Dyke, then left up narrow, winding Meadow Dyke to Horsey Mere. We parked in Horsey Dyke and walked the quarter mile to the pub, most of us taking the field (cowpat) route, where we thought we were coming face to face with a massive bull, but found with relief a narrow dyke between us (phew...). The Nelson Head Inn was as tasteful and efficient as the previous night’s hostelry wasn’t, and we had an excellent meal. It’s prompt serving meant we had time to walk out to the beach afterwards, and watched the moon rise ahead, and lay a silver path across the sea. One or two people did fail to avoid cowpats and potholes on the way home, but it was a beautiful evening regardless.

After a quiet night we retraced our steps, spending some time zooming up and down the open water of Horsey Mere before heading for West Somerton Dyke for a lunch stop, after which some had to return to Martham to haul out. Those of us who didn’t have to work on Monday – 7 boats – returned to Horsey and navigated the extremely narrow Waxham Cut, dimensions about two miles by ten feet! The far end was all private in spite of information to the contrary, so we retraced our steps, turning round with some difficulty, and rafted up in pairs on a piled bit of bank, practically filling the dyke. Luckily no-one needed to pass! Here we celebrated Colin Campbell’s birthday with a surprising assortment of wine (it always amazes me what emerges from other people’s boats!) and, with no light pollution apart from the moon, did a bit of drunken star-gazing!

The next morning we disentangled our selves from various rond anchors, spikes and vegetation and returned once more down Meadow Dyke, headed and motoring, to Martham, to haul out. The Campbells and the Orroms were staying for one more night, making the best of the Indian summer.

Boats and crews: SIII Blessim with Tony Eden, SIII Allegro with Colin Robinson and Adrian Piggford, SII Polly with Dave Milner, SIII Misty with Alf Baldwin and Mike Atkins, SII Joanna with David Kuschell, SII Sea Urchin with Colin and Rosemary Campbell and their delightful deaf dog, SIII Jemima with Marion Jones and Kevin, SII Isis with Howard and Hilary Orrom on their maiden voyage with us, SIII Omebac with Bob Legg and Roger Titshall, and SII Sula with us. Thanks everyone for coming and making it such a special weekend.

Approaching on a very fast broad reach there was a small lady, two toddlers and father on the helm. Mum was gamely standing on the windward gunwhale clutching the bow line. Dad didn’t attempt to loose the sails or come up into the wind, but when they reached the end of the quay he yelled ‘Jump’, and mum landed running and was rapidly dragged along towards the cruisers. He ordered her to take a turn round a stanchion and repeated the instruction with rising panic and volume, until with a splintering crash they piled into the side of the cruiser.

I look forward to reading about your summer epic. Yours, Bob

East Coast cruise: May 1 – 3^rd. No details yet.