Lakes Cruise

Monday to Friday 4 to 8 August 2008.    Download this document as an MS Word document.

 

 

 

Exploring Coniston, Windermere and Ullswater lakes in the footsteps of Swallows and Amazons

 

Advice to Participants:

 

all helms and crews taking part do so at their own risk. participation is at the sole and absolute discretion of each individual. neither the organiser, Coniston Hall Campsite or the wcoa accept any responsibility or liability arising from any accident or other incident during this event.

it is the responsibility of each boat owner to ensure that they have effective and valid marine insurance for their dinghy, including third party cover for at least £2,000,000.

all helms and crews must wear personal buoyancy all times whilst afloat.

 

Inland Sailing

Helm should be able to manoeuvre boat in a moderate breeze (up to Force 4) without risk of colliding with accompanying Wanderers.

 

Boat Launch:

 

Coniston:

 

Coniston Hall Campsite, Haws Bank, Coniston, LA21 8AS

 

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=LA21+8AS&ie=UTF8&ll=54.357919,-3.071623&spn=0.002813,0.006523&t=h&z=17&iwloc=addr

 

Private launching from the campsite. For non-residents you will be charged £6 parking and launch fee per day

 

Ullswater:

 

Glenridding Ullswater Ferry Landing, CA11 0PA

 

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=54.542711926000344,-2.9521132125652793+(Ullswater+Tourist+Information+Centre+-+CA11+0PA)&ie=UTF8&ll=54.544174,-2.94462&spn=0.0007,0.001631&t=h&z=19

 

Public parking and access to foreshore with space to leave trailers / trollies. No charge for launch but parking charges apply at £4 for up top 4 hours and £6 for up to 24 hours.

 

 

Windermere:

 

Ferry Nab public slipway, Bowness On Windermere

 

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=ferry+nab&sll=54.544501,-2.944379&sspn=0.002801,0.006523&ie=UTF8&ll=54.35565,-2.928286&spn=0.002814,0.006523&t=h&z=17

 

£10 charge for launch and recovery of Wanderer dinghy, £7 parking charge for car and trailer/trolley for 24 hours.

 

Lake guide map at http://www.lake-district.gov.uk/lake_district_docs95/lug_wmere_2005_b.pdf

 

 

Accommodation:

 

Charge for camping at Coniston Hall for 1 adult and 2 children with a boat is £16 per night.

 

Please contact the site and arrange your own bookings or seek your own alternative arrangements in the area.

 

Coniston Hall Campsite, Haws Bank, Coniston, LA21 8AS   01539 441223

 

Boat Licensing:

 

Licenses are required on Windermere if you mount an engine. This will cost £10 for the license, £5 for the numbers to stick on your boat and doubtless time and aggravation.

 

Licenses will need to be arranged locally on the morning we intend to sail.

 

I am not planning to mount an engine as the area is non-tidal and we should be able to recover ashore by rowing / paddling without difficulty if the wind falls light.

 

Useful maps of the Broads online:

 

http://www.conistonlaunch.co.uk/map.shtml

 

http://www.lake-district.gov.uk/lake_district_docs95/lug_wmere_2005_b.pdf

 

Contact Details:

 

Tim Robertson                                                                        01258 480059 / 07900 407441

Coniston Hall Campsite, Haws Bank, Coniston, LA21 8AS   01539 441223

Windermere General lake information                                    015394 42753

Windermere Lake Patrol Team                                              015394 47956

Ullswater Tourist Information                                                  017684 82414 

 

 

Safety:

 

Please note - NO SAFETY BOAT COVER is provided on WCOA cruises

 

Masthead Buoyancy – When cruising it is sensible to use masthead buoyancy which should prevent accidental inversion of the dinghy and the mast getting stuck in shallow waters or broken, whilst making recovery from capsize easier. Many solutions are available, the cheapest being a large plastic milk or squash bottle tied to the masthead.

 

Engines / Alternative Propulsion – I am not planning to carry an engine on my Wanderer during the lakes cruise, however you may wish to. If you decide to mount an engine you will need to investigate and purchase the appropriate licenses. (Windermere £10 & £5 for numbers / Ullswater unlicensed and limited to 10 knots)

 

Hypothermia - Make sure your clothing is appropriate for the conditions, bring a change of clothes in a waterproof container and wind/waterproofs at a minimum.

 

Forecasting - Weather information from http://www.metcheck.com/V40/UK/FREE/today.asp?zipcode=windermere

 

Communications – Carrying a mobile phone in a waterproof bag is sensible and will allow you to call for help or report to other cruise participants if you are delayed or retire from the cruise at any point

 

Reporting in / out - Crews will be expected to report to the organiser if they intend to depart from the suggested route. The organiser will be monitoring the participation and safe return of all boats – this will require the co-operation of participating crews.

 

Suggested Programme (BST):

 

Monday 4th August

 

Travel to Lake District

 

Pitch Tent / settle into accommodation

 

Rig boat and short trial sail?

 

Evening meal in a local Hostelry if people fancy it from around 19:00

 

Tuesday

 

Coniston Water

 

Launch from Coniston Hall

 

Briefing at 10:00, Launch at 10:30.

 

Picnic Lunch on Peel Island (Ransome’s ‘Wildcat Island’) to the south of the lake

 

Tea at Coniston Boating Centre to the North?

 

Otherwise exploring possible S&A haunts and admiring the scenery round the lake.

 

Recover to Coniston Hall by 18:00

 

Wednesday, Thursday 5, 6, 7th August

 

Muster at 9:00 at site each morning to decide on…

 

Either:

 

Coniston again,

 

or tow boats to:

 

Ullswater – sail from Glenridding towards Pooley bridge and stopping ashore at Aira Force

 

or

 

Windermere from Ferry Nab, exploring the south of the lake towards Fell Foot Park and back.

 

Decision to be made on the day, depending on conditions and confidence / ability of group.

 

Bring your own food and drink though we may manage to find a pub/ cafe to enhance our lunchtime!

 

Thursday Final Evening Meal in a local Hostelry?

 

Friday 8th August

 

Morning sail if wanted on Coniston

 

Return to shore midday for the long trip home

 

Alternatives:

 

In the event of unsuitable weather or crew fatigue, or unimpressed partners who have had enough of the boat, try:

 

  • Coniston Steam boat cruises
  • Beatrix Potter’s house, Hill Top, Sawrey near Ambleside
  • Old Man of Coniston – Good climb from campsite
  • Wrynose and Hardknot Passes – 3:1 gradients and hairpin bends to the coast via Eskdale
  • Windermere Steam Boat museum
  • Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway (Windermere)
  • Ravensglass and Eskdale Railway (Combine with the trip over the passes)
  • Ullswater Cruises
  • Aira Force – Big waterfall on the North Shore of Ullswater
  • Fell Walking

 

Etc etc etc etc etc etc.

 

 

The general idea is to meet up with likeminded souls to explore some beautiful lakes as and when you want, and then to drift off if you need to find some space….
Lakes Cruise

Monday - Friday May 4th- 8th August 2008

 

 

Registration of Interest

 

Contact Details - Helm

Name

     

Surname

     

Telephone

     

Mobile

     

Email

     

Travelling from

     

Staying at:      

Details - Crew

Name

     

Surname

     

Name

     

Surname

     

Name

     

Surname

     

Boat Details

Please consider your skill level realistically and highlight it below:

Novice        Learner        Competent       Accomplished      Expert

Name

     

Sail Number

     

Hull Colour

     

Deck Colour

     

Engine?

 
VHF/Mob. aboard?

VHF    Mobile

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please return to timandsaff@talktalk.net and save on your PC for reference.