I write this as the Diamond Jubilee weekend approaches after a glorious reminder of what Summer can be like! Typically we woke this morning to a grey drizzly day entirely in keeping with Britain’s Bank Holidays. We have put out our bunting, including our nautical signaling flags. I’m afraid that Carol forced me to substitute the words ‘Diamond Jubilee’ for the rather rude alternative that my sick sense of humour had planned.
Thank you to those who responded to my appeal for views on the AGM party. I might conclude from the overall lack of response that the majority of club members either have no opinion as they do not intend attending, or that they are happy with the status quo. I personally agree with the few comments received that either a change to other music, e.g. Jazz, or a quieter Ceilidh Band would be best. Marion Percy has given me some names/ideas, and I will see what is available.
So far this season we have completed two successful cruises – firstly at Easter, from Alba Sailing, Dunstaffnage, when David Newman led three boats around the Southern Scottish Islands, but felt that a trip across to Rathlin Island pushed the weather envelope too far. It sounds like a good time was had by all, and I look forwards to the full report. Thanks to Ian Rose for organizing, David for Commodoring, and to the skippers/mates.
The second cruise was Lyn Ballard’s trip to Brittany with two older style boats for a fortnight. With only four berths each, and with one boat reducing to three crew, the channel crossings were tiring; indeed the boats themselves were rather tired, necessitating an exchange of one yacht before departure. It seems that ‘coding’ meant rather less to the owner/charterer than to us – it is nice to have at least working navigation lights and a liferaft… Thanks to Lyn for seeing the cruise through all this.
We still have two cruises to go. On August 11th Jonathan Walton’s Stockholm Archipelago cruise starts. This cruise filled up immediately and was hugely popular, allowing more boats to be booked. Its popularity has probably affected our Ireland cruise – from the 25th August Graham Room has organised a 2 week (splittable) cruise from Shannon, West Ireland, down to Bantree where crew members not doing the 2 weeks can disembark for transport to return from Cork. Two yachts were reserved, though due to low uptake we reduced this to one boat for the fortnight (there and back), and one boat for a week, returning to base for the week’s end. There are still places available although the cruise is viable. If there is enough interest we could reinstate the second boat for the second week. So please, if you can support us, contact Graham Room. Details on the cruise are on the website: Ireland Cruise Details
The area is superb, reminiscent of Scotland, and I would have loved to have joined the cruise.
Finally, for the 25th Anniversary of the official founding of The Penguin Cruising Club I have booked the Orchard Paddock at Llangorse Lake near Brecon and Hay in South Wales for a camping weekend on May 25-27 (Bank Holiday Weekend) 2013. In 2008 we had the Llangorse shore based weekend here to celebrate Kevin’s 90th Birthday; this was a huge success that offered a private camping area, along with canoeing and sailing on the lake, rock climbing in the rope centre, and pony trekking. Put the date in your diaries!
So enjoy the Jubilee, then dry your umbrellas and go off and enjoy the Summer Weather! It’s time for the three S’s – Suntan cream, Shorts, and Sailing!
Best Wishes
Jonty Pearce