Sail Chat - 10th November

The weather truly suited the occasion, in mourning, slate grey skies, just a tiny breath of damp breeze and a sluggish river. Not to be thwarted though some gallants went out. Nigel and Rob Bunner provided enthusiastic support as the duty team. They laid a short up and down course which perhaps would suit the patient sailors and the drab little wind that struggled over the Surrey bank.

Two Merlins came to the line Hywell and Lucy Penwarden and Stuart with Nicola. Two GP's John Hollands with Sue and Kevin with Maddie. Three Comets, Angela, George and David. One Enterprise Paul with Sarah in Janes boat.

Both Merlins finished but with sausages cooking in mind and snail like progress on the water, the Race Officer defied a tradition of some years and abandoned the other three classes race! One could almost feel the island quiver! Some slight disagreement was registered but the decision was final.

The chilly sailors repaired to the warm clubhouse and joined the usual majority of social imbibers where Ellen and Emily had prepared the usual welcome fare. The Hon Sailing Secretary assured us that, in fact, the breeze had been on the Middlesex bank all the while and we drank IPA, wine, coke and other beverages supplied by Nick. In the timekeepers box Trevor and Alison played a dead bat to the requests from the water!

See you next week when hopefully the conditions will better suit the season.

Phill

Last updated 2:46pm on 21 January 2025