Jazz Night

Wow! What a thoroughly enjoyable weekend. It had all the right ingredients, hot weather, 'enough' wind, good sailing, food and jazz. On Saturday we were joined by four visitors SigneT's and a host of their camp followers. Aquarius supplied some crews and Rodger and Linda Wheeler got the event underway promptly at 11:30am.The first two races were graced with an adequate amount of wind. By the third race the wind had dropped and enthusiasm to go out again was waning.

Thanks to Linda for preparing a great lunch and to Rodger for ensuring the day ran like clockwork. I think at the end of the day we had two Aquarius SigneTs (STs 368 & 369) in the top three. After the prize-giving most of the visitors left and there was a bit of rush to get the clubhouse cleaned up for the evening.

At 7:30pm the jazz band turned up closely followed by Ron and Andrea, Mike and Maggie & Rodger and Linda laden down with burgers, sausages, booze, crisps and bread rolls. Ron fired up the barbecue and things got underway. I'm not sure who was responsible for the 'Pimms' but Maggie, Pat and Joan may have had a hand in it (not literally). One thing for sure it certainly sold well! The barbecue, served on the water front, was a great success and the bar did brisk business all night. I think I finally left at 1:00am'ish, people just seemed happy to sit and drink and chat.

Sunday proved to be the better sailing day. Three races were run by Charles and Mary Dennis. As the very good East wind was ideal for going upstream the 3rd race also incorporated the 'Cundy' long distance race going up nearly to Sunbury Lock. Laurie Bridges won the regatta cup and the Cundy Trophy, and one of our new members, Liz Archer, won both the Novice and Ladies Cups. The afternoon ended with an impromptu race between two teams on a pair of stripped down Lasers. That was followed by both teams on one Laser which inevitably ended up with everybody in the river.

The Sunday Regatta tea is a tradition at Aquarius and this years was a triumph. Sandwiches, cakes, strawberries and cream, lovely Jubbly ! Huge thanks to Joan & George for picking the strawberries earlier in the day and to all the ladies who helped prepared the tea and sandwiches.

A lot of people worked very hard to help make the weekend a success and I do hope that everybody who came to the club over the weekend enjoyed themselves. Those who couldn't make it, well you don't know what you missed, but there's always next year !

Mike (Over Easy) Baker