Report from Rutland April 2004 |
| THE SPRING START |
There was a good collection of 13's and 16's at Rutland for our season start. It was a lovely spring day on Saturday with some good fresh wind. Dave, Katherine and I had decided to go for one day only and without our boat! So it was really a social visit.
Anther social visitor was Alf who we saw come back from his cycle ride around the reservoir but weren't sure if he sailed and he had to leave early.
Despite that though we met a gang in the cafe and managed to have a quick sail each. John Leigh was offering tries in his 16 and Jean felt happy to become a shore person. Miranda was the the unofficial pleasure cruiser with about 5 onboard. It was my first time in a 16 and so it all felt very spacious compared to a 13. The trip was quite bouncy as the wind picked up and as windward crew Dick and I took the bow spray valiantly.
We had a great sail and appreciated the 16's balance and sturdiness, managing to get back onshore completely drenched- owing to waterproofs being inadequate. During the day new sailors appeared with requests for rigging advice and received the full enthousiasm of the group.
On Saturday evening we gathered at the local pub at Empingham and all had a lovely meal. There were many topics of conversation around the table from cruising disasters to national health waiting lists!
Dave and I headed back to London wishing that we could have stayed on and joined Dick and Meryl's camping party at Rutland Water campsite or the likes of Bruce and Angela,or Al and Jan staying in comfort at B&B's and hotels.What happened on the Sunday? Anybody want to send details to the webmaster?
Liz Ellis