With much anticipation I left work on Friday lunchtime and headed north. Ullswater was the destination, a place offering some superb scenery and water on which I have always wanted to sail. After a painfully slow journey I found the Yacht Club, pitched my tent and headed into the Club for a pint. I woke early on Saturday to the sound of dozens of sheep and birds who excelled themselves in the quality of their morning chorus.

Gradually Laser sailors crept out of the woodwork and before long a fleet of four 16’s and two 13’s had assembled, rigged and were ready to sail. With a light, 4/6 knot north-east wind we set off for Aira Point. By picnic time we had only reached Sandwich Bay so we duly stopped and ate. During lunch the wind picked up, 8-10 knots, and backed west south-west enabling us to beat to Aira Point.

The wind died back during our visit to the tea shop at Aira Point after which the bulk of the fleet set off back to the club. John Leigh and myself went on towards Glenridding getting as far as the Islands. The wind stayed light and we had a long relaxing sail back to the club, I only resorted to the engine for a short burst when we didn’t actually have any breeze at all ? honest.

Sunday morning brought a healthier 10 knot north-eastly and it was decided to run down to Glenridding. We all headed down the lake enjoying the flat water and fairer wind, there were even a couple of spinnakers popped. As we sailed closer to Glenridding the mountainside became much steeper and sharper, the wind was funnelled along the valleys and around the headlands and got very lumpy with some strong gusts. Glenridding steamer pier soon arrived, behind which was a beach where we landed, picnicked and sun bathed.

The sail back was a lively beat with the wind now at about 18 knots. Ali lead, cunningly tacking up the south-eastern lee shore between Aira Point to Howtown followed by Bruce and Angela then myself and my father. Bringing up the rear was Christine and Joan and finally John and Anna whom I’m sure had an extra long picnic.

After landing back at the club a swift pint was organised and enjoyed whilst the boat was put to bed for the night. The club was very busy with both Sunday racing and weekend holiday makers and it was just fine basking in the sun watching the tail end of the afternoon race from the shore after our own satisfying days sailing.

Monday bought a shifty, gusty breeze and being overcast gave a colder feel. A short sail was planned and 3 boats headed up to Pooley Bridge and back, after which it was suddenly time to pack up and head home.

I had a thoroughly enjoyable weekend. The breakfasts and dinners were good - three cheers to the two hard working galley staff - and the weather was as good as it gets, with plenty of sun and wind. I only hope Adrian doesn’t return from Eritrea early and want his boat back before next year.

My thanks to John Leigh and Bill Powton for organising the weekend.

RED SKY AT NIGHT- PUDDING DELIGHT!

Six boats arrived at Ullswater Yacht Club on the Friday evening and Saturday morning of the May Day Bank Holiday weekend and received the usual warm welcome. After rigging boats, the Ware family tootled around at the north end of the lake while the other five crews tacked in light airs to Sandwick for a picnic on the grass, before continuing to Aira Force for another break and a visit to the café. Boats made their own way back to the club, running on the same light wind, after a couple had made the circuit of Norfolk Isle. Miranda (under spinnaker) ran alongside a 30' yacht (under goosewinged genoa and main) at exactly the same speed for some three miles in and beyond the middle section of the lake.

The serious part of the day began when all had checked in at B&Bs, erected tents etc. and re-assembled at the club for dinner in the Committee Room - an excellent meal laid on by Barbara and Sheila in the kitchen No-one thought to put on the lights and animated conversation continued as we watched the sun set across the Lake. Then off to bed under a clear, starlight sky; it's only when you come here that you realise how many stars there are and how much light they give.

Sunday was another fine day with a stiffer, cooler, breeze, this time from the north- east. We had a fast run up the six miles or so to Glenridding for another picnic in the sunshine while we contemplated the gusts and some excitement on the return trip, which duly came to pass. You put in a lot of tacks over this distance. I should be interested to know if anyone counted them and which boat did (1) the most and (2) the least; in any case, I imagine all boats covered about 12 miles. Some of the gusts called for care and, in Howtown Bay, one got the better of a crew which it would be ungallant to name and they finished up in the drink, albeit without too much pain and suffering.

Dinner had been so good the previous evening that it was unanimously resolved to repeat the experience, rather than to join the Bank Holiday crowd in Pooley Bridge. Barbara and Sheila served an equally good dinner (with multiple puddings this time, all with cream or ice cream or both) and we chattered away another sunset.

Unfortunately, the Leighs had to leave after the festivities on Sunday evening and so the rest of this report is hearsay as regards Monday. I am toId on good authority, however, that the weather stayed fine and dry and the remaining boats all went down to Pooley Bridge in leisurely fashion, "not being particularly challenged", and enjoyed a pleasant morning.

Finally, one has to say that all Laser Cruisers are welcome to go for a walk if they wish wish, but when the Chairman declines invitations into boats and spends two days on the mountains, what is the world coming to? On the other hand, not only he, but also at least one other sympathetic pedestrian waved to us from locations on land, yet no- one saw them, so we may all need to brush up on our observation techniques.

Thank you to Bill Powton, the caterers, and the Committee of Ullswater Yacht Club for another marvellous weekend.