Nigel Knowles with his son Andrew and girl friend Rachael took his Laser and 2 club Lasers; 2 on a trailer and one on his car roof. Richard Cannon with Rodger Wheeler, and Keith Hatton with Madeline took their Signets. Mike Baker with Lyn teamed up with Keith. Tony Hopkins used one of the club Lasers. Alex Seaman took the club graduate and used it with Hawker friend Roy Melsom. Hawker friend Bill Poulton with Claire took his Enterprise; 7 boats and 14 people was excellent support.
When we arrived at Bewl there was zero wind and the OOD told us that the Regatta had been cancelled; not a good start. But the OOD was exceptionally friendly and helpful, and suggested a cruise to Dunsters Bay where we could beach the boats and have a walk to the Bull pub at Three Leg Cross.
It was warm and sunny and a rather shifty 10 to 15 knot North wind had filled in by the time were ready to sail; it became one of the most enjoyable Bewl visits ever.
Someone had a bacon butty in the galley which tempted more of us to do the same; late breakfast or early lunch.
We sailed up Bewl Straight to Dunsters Bay followed by a 800m walk to the pub for a drink and some had lunch. The OOD even arranged a rib to take Madeline and Lyn. They also gave a phone number to request the rib for the return; what service.
Bewl Valley Sailing Club Visit 27 August 2007 Story -
We continued up Bewl Straight as far as we could go to Tinkers Marsh. Rachael, who has done very little sailing, was perched at the mast of Andrew’s Laser and got rather wet when in a gust the top of the mast came within a few feet of the water with her hanging on to the mast with her back in the water; I don’t know how Andrew managed to recover.
The conditions were so good that Madeline and Lyn were persuaded to have a sail and both took the helm; it is very rare for Lyn to go in the boat.
We returned to the club house for some tea and delicious cake and then went out for another sail up Copins Reach and Hook Straight. The distance from the clubhouse to Tinkers Marsh is 2 miles. We probably sailed 8 to 10 miles total.
On the journey home we stopped at the Grass Hopper Carvery where the waitress arranged the table in a large square to fit 11 of us. A super way to finish a perfect day.
At first we were disappointed that the regatta had been cancelled but it was very enjoyable to have a relaxed cruise without the stress and tensions of racing for a change and everyone thought it was one of the most enjoyable Bewl visits we have had.
