Post by sheila on Jun 27, 2011 15:40:55 GMT
Alana & Chausey went up for the Lydney rally.
We locked out at around 10.00 on Friday 17th. It was very blowy in the Bay, and we ended up being the only CYC yachts that went. The forecast for the weekend was not that bright either.
However, once out through the lock, we found conditions in the channel much improved. Although it was very drizzly weather, we found that the rain seemed to go right over our heads as we snuggled in the cockpit, and we didn't get too wet!
Our aim was to go to Thronbury (Oldbury Pill) for the night, and we duly arrived at Thornbury SC around 18.00. By the time we'd got ourselves moored up and secured it was going on for 8.30 pm and we headed off across the fields for the pub in Oldbury where we enjoyed a couple of nice drinks. I had prepared a curry, so we all trudged back across the fields and had a nice meal, followed by strawberries and wine on board Alana.
We left Thornbury around 9.30 am in order to get up to Lydney for the lock gate opening.
We were a bit early, or Lydney was late as we had to hang around outside for a while waiting for the gate. Interesting, as you have to sail like mad back towards the mouth of the river, but find that you are still in fact going backwards up river! Needless to say though that eventually we got in. I helmed in to the lock, which I found quite hairy scary as you really have to give it welly but also not crash in to the wall. You are also being watched by loads of people on the harbour wall, who give you a round of applause as you manage successfully to get in!
Inside the lock just after it was closed.
There were not so many visiting boats this year as in the last two years that we have been, mainly because the weather forecast was so bad I expect. there were quite a number from Portishead Cruising Club though.
Sadly some of the entertainment had to be cancelled due to elf and safety, the bands were told they could not play because of the rain and their electric equipment. Still there were always the stalls and the cake competition and other things to keep us amused (the bar was fine!)
The smallest glass of wine you've ever seen me with!
In the evening there was a BYO BBQ and the club members cooked it for you. Allan had been joined by Edwina and the four of us shared some of our food and generally had a lovely time. During the evening there was a terrific thunder and lightning storm, right overhead, followed by a beautiful rainbow.(No picture).
As the evening wore on and we got chillier we rapaired to the bar upstairs, although more hardy souls than we stayed outside and had a jamming session, people having bought their instruments along. There was also the very warming Swedish log fires to cheer us on our way home. Very sensibly we were all reasonably sober, as it is very tricky getting on your boat from the side of the harbour wall.
The following morning dawned quite bright and cheery, and we left the harbour around 11.00 high tide
We had a nice sail down the river, tacking back and forth, but all the while the wind was building.
By the time we had got down to the Severn Bridges it was really gusting quite hard. I believe that Allan had a bit of a problem but I am not sure what it was.
Portishead was our option to go in to but when we got to Portishead we decided to go on, but then the wind got up even more, and it was just past there that Vince had to go up and put a reef in. I remember that it was gusting up to 28 at that time, and it was really hard to hold the boat in to the wind with the huge waves etc. However, we coped with that and we ended up having a better sail back this week than we had the previous week.
We locked in around 16.45 and on coming in to the Bay we were delighted to see Paschall out in Sui, looking fabulous with her distinctive blue sail.
We locked out at around 10.00 on Friday 17th. It was very blowy in the Bay, and we ended up being the only CYC yachts that went. The forecast for the weekend was not that bright either.
However, once out through the lock, we found conditions in the channel much improved. Although it was very drizzly weather, we found that the rain seemed to go right over our heads as we snuggled in the cockpit, and we didn't get too wet!
Our aim was to go to Thronbury (Oldbury Pill) for the night, and we duly arrived at Thornbury SC around 18.00. By the time we'd got ourselves moored up and secured it was going on for 8.30 pm and we headed off across the fields for the pub in Oldbury where we enjoyed a couple of nice drinks. I had prepared a curry, so we all trudged back across the fields and had a nice meal, followed by strawberries and wine on board Alana.
We left Thornbury around 9.30 am in order to get up to Lydney for the lock gate opening.
We were a bit early, or Lydney was late as we had to hang around outside for a while waiting for the gate. Interesting, as you have to sail like mad back towards the mouth of the river, but find that you are still in fact going backwards up river! Needless to say though that eventually we got in. I helmed in to the lock, which I found quite hairy scary as you really have to give it welly but also not crash in to the wall. You are also being watched by loads of people on the harbour wall, who give you a round of applause as you manage successfully to get in!
Inside the lock just after it was closed.
There were not so many visiting boats this year as in the last two years that we have been, mainly because the weather forecast was so bad I expect. there were quite a number from Portishead Cruising Club though.
Sadly some of the entertainment had to be cancelled due to elf and safety, the bands were told they could not play because of the rain and their electric equipment. Still there were always the stalls and the cake competition and other things to keep us amused (the bar was fine!)
The smallest glass of wine you've ever seen me with!
In the evening there was a BYO BBQ and the club members cooked it for you. Allan had been joined by Edwina and the four of us shared some of our food and generally had a lovely time. During the evening there was a terrific thunder and lightning storm, right overhead, followed by a beautiful rainbow.(No picture).
As the evening wore on and we got chillier we rapaired to the bar upstairs, although more hardy souls than we stayed outside and had a jamming session, people having bought their instruments along. There was also the very warming Swedish log fires to cheer us on our way home. Very sensibly we were all reasonably sober, as it is very tricky getting on your boat from the side of the harbour wall.
The following morning dawned quite bright and cheery, and we left the harbour around 11.00 high tide
We had a nice sail down the river, tacking back and forth, but all the while the wind was building.
By the time we had got down to the Severn Bridges it was really gusting quite hard. I believe that Allan had a bit of a problem but I am not sure what it was.
Portishead was our option to go in to but when we got to Portishead we decided to go on, but then the wind got up even more, and it was just past there that Vince had to go up and put a reef in. I remember that it was gusting up to 28 at that time, and it was really hard to hold the boat in to the wind with the huge waves etc. However, we coped with that and we ended up having a better sail back this week than we had the previous week.
We locked in around 16.45 and on coming in to the Bay we were delighted to see Paschall out in Sui, looking fabulous with her distinctive blue sail.