Camping Weekend - Part 1

Friday

Jo and I arrived at about midday and went for a walk near Normanton church. We returned later to meet Costin and Irene. Costin and I went for a quick sail in Costin's smart green Spirit. We needed to check the rig and make sure everything was in order. Costin adjusted to his boat within minutes and soon let me ashore so he could continue alone and experience single-handing his Gull. Shortly after he returned to take Irene for a quick sail out beyond Whitwell Creek and into the more open waters of the lake.

Saturday

It seemed to rain all night and on waking at about 8am the wind sounded heavy through the material of the tent. I unzipped and stepped out into an overcast and gusty day. The Gull fleet took to the lake at about 11am. It was windy, very windy! All 5 boats set off together but we would soon meet out different fates as we all tried in our own way to battle against the elements. Chris Yardley charged off in his usual confident and understated way. He was sailing his Mirror dinghy as he had found some issues with his Gull before leaving home. Rear Admiral Sir Richard Case (Dick) and Lady Linda Case also punched confidently into the waves and spray in their MkIII. Costin, sailing single-handed and Eddie in his Gull Calypso also sailing alone where followed by myself and Jo.

It was a very hard sail to say the least. Huge waves, in lake terms, meant that Jo had to bail after every tack of the hellish beat to windward and I was having to spill gusts from the mainsail constantly. Before long we noticed that Costin was having some problems so we tacked back round to see what was wrong.
to be continued.......

Photos from Top, Eddie sailing his Calypso. Reefed mainsail and furled jib, aurora still sails at speed. Chris and Costin ready for a shake-down sail on Friday evening. Costin, single-handed and reefed in the strong winds of Saturday. A view of Rutland water from the campsite.

To read Costin's experience, visit his blog - http://alchemicaltransformation.blogspot.com/