Cruiser Rallies 15/16 July
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Results
Sea 5 Trophy - Saturday 15th July
1st Shona - crew : Derek Heath, skipper; Ivan Haslam; George Chorlton - corrected time 3 hours 33 minutes (actual time 4 hours 51 minutes)
2nd Rice Pudding VIII - crew : Norman Whewell, skipper ; David Holden - corrected time 3 hours 40 minutes (actual time 3 hours 2 minutes)
3rd Sea Dancer - crew : Jim Cruise, skipper; Bary Hilton- corrected time 3 hours 44 minutes (4 hours 35 minutes)
4th Jenny - crew : Ian Hutchinson, skipper ; Patrick Walsh - corrected time 4 hours 21 minutes (5 hours 40 minutes)
Retired:
Micro - John Broadhead Denial - Alan Fleetwood, Christine Bussy
Weasel - Dennis Marsden, Michael Swarbrick
DNS: Aegis - Mick Perigo, Vic Shuttleworth
Return to Glasson Rally - Sunday 16th July
1st Rice Pudding VIII - crew : Norman Whewell, skipper ; David Holden - corrected time 1 hours 23 minutes
2nd Weasel - crew : Dennis Marsden, skipper ; Michael Swarbrick - corrected time 1 hours 25 minutes
3rd Micro - crew : John Broadhead, solo - corrected time 1 hours 28 minutes
4th Jenny - crew : Ian Hutchinson, skipper ; Patrick Walsh - corrected time 1 hours 30 minutes
5th Denial - crew : Alan Fleetwood, skipper ; Christine Bussy - corrected time 1 hours 47 minutes
Retired:
Sea Dancer - Jim Cruise, Barry Hilton
Shona - crew : Derek Heath, Ivan Haslam, George Chorlton DNS:
Billy Ruffian - Dave and Glen Holmes
Altair - Will Donovan & (SIDNKTNOWC)
Sand Piper - Alistair and Julie Kingham
There was a good turnout for the Sea 5 Trophy, the results have already been announced earlier this week and there has been an account by the Scribe to Erik the Flippant, see below, who incidentally asked me to point out that the bit about "Christine the Buxom" was my addition.
Denial, Jenny, Micro, Sea Dancer (Jim Cruise and Barry Hilton), Shona, Rice Pudding VIII & Weasel all took part with Humbug in attendance.
It is interesting to note that the winner, Derek Heath, Skipper of Shona, didn't realise he was racing, oops! sorry rallying, until he asked his helmsman and tactician, Ivan, when they should turn left for Walney. Ivan, shocked to hear this said aren't you going to go round Sea 5? "One Way George" was also a member of Shona's crew and has now been promoted to "There and Back George" as he successfully completed the return voyage.
We (Weasel) had a good start from outside the Club, Rice Pudding, after a slow start, pulling away by the time we got to Number 9 (first green buoy after the Club). Micro and Sea Dancer cut across the bank and they too were soon specks in the distance. After a good start, Weasel's crew, half way down the channel, seemed to get the sails all wrong and soon Jenny and Shona overtook her leaving her standing, so to speak. Only Denial was struggling behind Weasel. Difficulty with a new Genoa. Before Weasel reached Lune River Buoy, Denial had chosen to motor and steamed off into the distance leaving Weasel to wallow in isolation. Weasel too gave up after over five hours sailing and still two miles off Sea 5. We (Weasel) let the mainsheet slip and suddenly Weasel surged ahead immediately sailing at four knots, almost twice as much as before, with the mainsail flapping? Ivan thinks we had the sails too tight and were sailing too close to the wind. The conditions were strange, an almost northerly wind and waves much bigger than justified by the wind strength, probably still high from the previous week's strong winds. Micro also gave up at this point. John was sailing single handed and the conditions were causing difficulty with his jib sheets so rather than become completely knackered he continued sailing but missed out Sea 5 buoy.
We arrived at Piel to find that Sand Piper, Julie and Alistair Kingham, was already there. As was Altair, Will O'Donovan and crew, they had been holed up for a few days because of the strong winds, they had intended to visit Dublin. Billy Ruffian was there too, having sailed down from Ravenglass. We later found out that Aegis had been neaped and was unable to get off her mooring so Mick Perigo and Vic Shuttleworth had to stay at Glasson.
After dining on various yachts, only the campers braved the barbecue in the castle, we each made our way to the Ship for more sustenance and to discuss the days events. Waiting in the Ship were four members who had made the journey to Roa by land and taken the ferry across to Piel to be with us. They were staying in tents on the Island and I understand they thoroughly enjoyed their venture. The Ship was quite full with a few other boat crews and a large number of young people camping. What ensued was one of the best evenings that I have spent at Piel, bonhomie by the tankard full. Saturday had been a good day considering the weather and winds of the previous week.
Sunday dawned and the crews gradually roused themselves, it had to be an early start, well early for revellers. 08.30 hours at Seldom Seen Tower. Denial was the first away followed one by one by the others, although some must have had difficulty arousing themselves judging by the time they arrived back at Glasson. This time Weasel got the sails set a lot better but not good enough to catch Rice Pudding on corrected time. All the early starters had a good sail back to Lune River Buoy, fortunately the wind held out until we got into the channel so most of us were able to record times.
Billy Ruffian is David and Glen Holmes's new boat. It is a 27 foot Macwester from Ravenglass. It has an unusual history. It was purchased as a part built new boat in the early seventies by a resident living in the neighbourhood of Ravenglass. This gentleman got the boat sailable and we believe he made one trip to the Isle of Man and for the last twenty/twenty-five years the boat has been in the mud beyond the bridge at Ravenglass. Dave Holmes (Slippers) has had his eye on the boat for some time and, after making enquiries, he eventually asked the previous owner if he would part with it which, to everyone's surprise he did. During the first week of the Solway Cruise, when all the little Glasson boats were stormbound in Ravenglass, the crews helped Dave to dig a channel from the boat to the river. At the next high high water they managed to move her a little way but Dave had to try again some time later and with the help of Dennis Marsden managed to get it into the river and under the bridge. As the boat rounded the bend and passed under the bridge, all the local people and several holiday makers on the promenade clapped and cheered their achievement. Meanwhile Dave had got the engine out the previous owner's garage, serviced it, and dragged it across the mud on a piece of plywood and successfully got it up into the hull and running. Last weekend saw him sailing the boat back to Glasson where he intends to spend the next couple of years bringing it up to scratch.
The Great Northern Pilgrimage
And the leaders of the humble people of Fishnet Point said one to another "we must make a pilgrimage".
And so it was agreed, and they took sail in their little coloured boats upon the troubled waters of the Bay of Morecambe.
But they where not afraid, for their leader was Way-Well the Norman, a navigator of great reknown.
And their hearts were uplifted for they were accompanied by their spiritual guide St. Dennis of Rishton.
The Venerable Swartbroek, scribe of Glasson, sailed with St Dennis that his every utterance might be noted.
And many other souls of great holiness were in their number, George of the single way and Alan of the Great Calm.
Christine the Buxom was Alan of the Great Calm's crew. And Patrick of Longhshite the minstrel, did bring them cheer with his songs.
Ian the Magician of Wyres did carry Patrick of Longhshite in his Cox And they sailed over mighy waves through great storms into the uttermost north.
James the Dancer and Barry the Grey
Martin the Winged Mercury did fly by with High Priestess Denise of the Gold
At last they came to the fabled island of Piel and went ashore with much rejoicing.
The Lord of that land, named the Rod, for his steadfastness, did welcome them.
And he uplifted their spirits, Aye many times did he uplift their spirits until all where refreshed and filled with Joy.
Will of old Eire was there to greet them as was the Knight of Slippers
Also gathered were the Great Caravaners of the plains
Friar John did work wonders with his mystic tables and pronounced Derek of Shona the new leader.
Derek of Shona was much pleased with his guide Ivan the Terrible, who had steered his craft to victory, and also his crew
George of the single way. And on the morrow the people did trim their sails to the south and flew over the sunlight seas.
With much rejoicing did they return to their humble home by the waters of the mighty Lune.
Recounted by a scribe in the employ of Erik the Flippant