Near perfect Sunday sailing - 9th September 2012

As there was no wind forecast on Saturday, I changed my whole routine for Sunday and went sailing instead. Who wants to spend three hours in the gym anyway!

Pretty much perfect sailing condition; well, maybe the wind was a little soft, but steady breeze 8 - 10 kts - when I launched anyway.

Had a new toy to play with. A waterproof video camera. I mounted this on the tiller, which is a little low. So, will need to find a better place.

Still, at least it works. Too much in the knee department possibly; certainly in the other segments.


Having launched at 10:30 I found myself cruising past the slipway around 14:30. When to be frank, the wind had all but disappeared. So, the decision was made to call it a day; only slightly early really.

Any, even though I was smeared in factor 50 sun screen, I still managed to obtain a healthy glow - or pink colour to my face. The good news was that my knees didn't burn this time.

Half a Day Skipper certified - 7th September 2012.

Handed in my second and last final assessment for the Day Skipper Theory Course on Thursday morning.

Today, this arrived in the post.

Well chuffed - as they say.

Celebrated with a ride down to Watchet Marina for lunch.

Sailing - On a Wednesday! - 5th Sept 2012

I took the week off to study and take my final RYA Day Skipper assessments. But, as I had completed them a lot earlier than I had anticipated, I was able to take advantage of the final Wednesday evening sailing at the sailing club at Cheddar.

I got to the boat park at about 4:30 pm and was in the water for 5:30 pm. Winds were light but worthwhile when I got afloat. So., off I went tacking and gybing at a relatively modest rate.

About six o'clock Sue came down and I worked my way back to the pontoon so she could get in with the minimum of water following her. I suspect the gathered sailors outside the clubhouse were hoping for a complete horlicks of an approach. But apart from a couple of admitedly quick tacks to line up with the pontoon, I avoided anything remotely entertaining - phew!

As is generally the case. As the time progressed, so the wind dropped. Which made the final race of the season rather a sedate affair.

By 7 pm the wind was virtually nothing. So, having decided to go in - maybe ahead of the race fleet - we slowly, as in painfully slowly, made our way back to the slipway. The Praddel coming in very handy.

Not a bad way to spend a Wednesday afternoon / evening anyway.

The Race Fleet - Cheddar Gorge in background.

 

 

Sunset at Cheddar Reservoir - looking toward Crook Peak

A bit 'blowy' for some- Saturday 1st September 2012.

Saturday morning chores completed, off to the Sailing club.

I find myself wondering if everyone else's boat is a haven for insect life, as much as mine is.

I don't mind spiders that much - unlike the missus' - so clearing away spider or two isn't an issue. But the size of the blighters! I swear one had the body the size of my thumb nail.

Anyway, the wind was up to 18 kts as I got the Gull ready - as per my little Chinese anemometer anyway. However you measured it, damp finger or posh weather station - you know when it's on the edge of manageable; for my pitiful sailing skills anyway.

Back and forwards for a bit. It was when the water was consistently coming over the gunwales that I really wished I had reefed prior. It's also at times like these, you really wish the Calypso variant had some sort of self bailer.

So after a couple of hours in the water, I thought lunch ashore with reefs being applied was in order.

Lunch consumed, it became clear to me that the water wasn't as crowded as I remembered. Quite a few club members clearly deciding it was just a little too much of a challenge.

The wind had got up over a period and I couldn't quite summon up the courage or bloody mindedness to go out again.

I did give the boat a darn good rinsing down to get rid of various insect related stains and marks - so at least the dinghy looks presentable again - until next the time it's uncovered.

Packed away and slunk off home. Planning to cut the lawn, well grass, as a penance.

Shame, the grass was still wet.

So, books out and continue revising for the Day Skipper assessments coming up.