Text By Gavin Barr W1282, Original Pictures by Chris Stracey
W1460, cropped and 'tweaked' by T Pullen [click on pic for larger
view].
Following
the theme of this year’s WCOA Programme, this was a
combined racing and cruising weekend.
Racing on Saturday Aug 4th:
Whitstable Yacht Club ran their Ladies Race at 3.00 p.m. on Saturday
afternoon, and the Wanderers start was 6 minutes after the Ladies. The
wind was South West force 4 to 5 gusting 6, but seven intrepid
Wanderers came to the line, most of them reefed, surrounded by capsized
Whitstable ladies in catamarans!
As the full force of the wind became
apparent several boats retired, and by the end of the first lap only
three boats were left in the race. Geoff and Marion Hall (W98) sensibly
withdrew after crossing the line. Chris and Ed Partington (W463) had
problems with their reefing gear. Steve and Sally Turley (W1492) were
going well with full sail but were eventually overcome and went for a
swim. Hilary Graves (W502) and her daughter made good progress to
windward with reefed main and rolled jib but eventually found it too
much. Meanwhile Gavin Barr and Mark Fagg (W1282) were hotly pursued by
Ian and Glenda Nevill (W1098), and by James and Angela Cross (W513)
sailing together for the first time in 31 years! The Crosses overhauled
the Nevills but retired after two laps, leaving Gavin and Mark to win
with Ian and Glenda second. The reaches provided some memorable
white-knuckle rides and spinnakers were not deployed!
Wanderer
Supper - Aug 4th:
At the Wanderer Supper and prize-giving that evening, twenty-three of us
sat down to an excellent meal at the club, with Whitstable Y.C.
Beachmaster Nick Dewhirst as our guest. Geoff and Marion received a book
on lateral thinking for having had the sense to come ashore early, and
Steve and Sally were awarded a water-proof notebook and a new burgee.
Glenda, having given the best impression of a mermaid, had a book about
them. Chris and Mary Neumann received the prize for best communication
between helm and crew for wisely deciding not to go afloat at all!
Sunday
Cruise - Aug 5th:
The weather was kinder on Sunday, although the forecast was highly
ambiguous, suggesting anything from force 5 to a flat calm. A fleet of
twelve including ten Wanderers, one Enterprise and a Laser Stratos set
off at 1130 for Faversham Creek. The tide was flooding but the wind only
force 2 to 3, and right on the nose. So it was not until 1330 that the
last of the fleet reached the Shipwright’s Arms at the junction of
Faversham Creek and Oare Creek. On the way up, fishing smacks which had
been taking part in the Whitstable Barge Match tacked through the
Wanderer fleet. The wind piped up between Sand End Buoy and Faversham
Creek, and gave a very squally end to the passage, leaving those who had
reefed glad that they had done so. It was now too late to try an
exploration of the creek, so after a leisurely lunch and a pint or so of
"Shipwreck’d" bitter, we sailed home with the wind and tide
behind us, making a very pretty sight in the afternoon sunlight. We
carefully negotiated the Whitstable racing fleet and came ashore at 1600
for a cup of tea and a shower (and maybe another pint), before packing
up and departing at the end of a very enjoyable weekend.
Attendees:
Boats taking part included: W587 Chris and Mary Neumann, W513 James
and Angela Cross, W98 Geoff and Marion Hall, W1282 Gavin Barr and Mark
Fagg (Cruise Leader), W1492 Steve and Sally Turley, W1098 Ian and Glenda
Nevill (Assistant Cruise Leaders), W1460 Chris Stracey and Richard
Munro, W469 Graham Andrews and family, W463 Chris and Theresa Partington,
W502 Hilary Graves and family, W1469 Paul Hewett and Daniel James,
Laser Stratos 267 Richard Earland and family, and Enterprise 18653 John
and Eve Kelly.
Gavin Barr W1282 "Thistle".
N.B. Any Wanderers wanting to try the cruising grounds of Whitstable
and the Swale, contact me on 01233 712543, or email: gatecott@aol.com.
Whitstable Yacht Club, and the Whitstable Wanderer fleet, welcome
visiting mariners.
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