THE
MAINSHEET
Spring 2008
Contents
Frostbite Cruise -
The third Sunday lunch of the winter was held on 10th February and followed by a Frostbite Cruise in the afternoon. The weather was unusually summery for the time of year and the day started with many members sitting out on the decking area enjoying the sun before lunch, which was provided by Nigel Knowles with help from Pat Irving.
After excellent sausages and mash (with baked beans and red cabbage as well), followed
by a delicious apple crumble, the assembled crowd drifted onto the riverbank for
the start of the Frostbite Cruise -
A motley group of boats set off from the club just after three o'clock, consisting of the dory, the old rescue boat, Don Barnett's cruiser, a canoe and Graham Thompson's rowing boat. The course of the cruise was from Platt's Eyot to Sunbury lock and everyone had a cryptic quiz to complete using clues along the route.
There were also extra points on offer for the most interesting pieces of flotsam. Ben Chips and Robbie & Dominic Lunniss found an old buoy; Lydia and Julia Iremonger retrieved a selection of dog toys and my dad and I found an old piece of fence post with a precarious number of iron nails sticking out of it along the way, as well as several 'interesting' pieces of drift wood collected by various members.
It was very quiet on the river, despite the weather, and everyone had lots of fun trying to spot the clues and exploring the various side channels in search of items to salvage. There was much doubling back and friendly banter along the way as well, and the journey was enjoyed by all.
The boats arrived back at Aquarius just in time for tea, after which the answers to the quiz were given out and the team in the dory (Richard Cannon, Stuart and Mike & Jean Hendra) were declared the winners, though the chocolate prize was shared by all.
Jean Hendra and Richard Cannon
Picture by Mike Hendra