Bristol Doors Open - 10th-11th September.

[Camelot]

Bristol Doors Open and Avon Sail Challenge
10th-11th September.

Bristol Doors Open Day is your chance to gain free entry into some of Bristol’s most fascinating architecturally and historically important buildings, many of which are not normally open to the general public.

visitbristol.co.uk/site/events/bristol-doors-open-day-2011-p44921#ProductList-/site/events/bristol-doors-open-day-2011-p44921

Whether or not you decide to check out the architecture, join us for a sail into the heart of Bristol.

And perhaps take part in our 'Sail the Avon Challenge' - there's 3 Blue book points on offer if you can sail from the M5 bridge to the Clifton suspension bridge (or vice versa), or 5 points on offer if you can sail from Cardiff (wherever you raise/stow your sails within 2 miles from the Barrage) to the Clifton suspension bridge (or vice versa), without using your engine at all.

It is the sole and inescapable responsibility of the skipper to decide whether to enter or continue participating in any event, especially with regard to prevailing and forecast weather conditions and passage planning.
Please also ensure your vessel and it’s equipment is in a sound and seaworthy condition and that you and your crew are suitably experienced, properly prepared, equipped and clothed for the forecast conditions and any adverse weather as required.

[Fred]

Sept 7, 2011 19:18:20 GMT Camelot said:

Bristol Doors Open and Avon Sail Challenge
10th-11th September.

Bristol Doors Open Day is your chance to gain free entry into some of Bristol’s most fascinating architecturally and historically important buildings, many of which are not normally open to the general public.

visitbristol.co.uk/site/events/bristol-doors-open-day-2011-p44921#ProductList-/site/events/bristol-doors-open-day-2011-p44921

Whether or not you decide to check out the architecture, join us for a sail into the heart of Bristol.

And perhaps take part in our 'Sail the Avon Challenge' - there's 3 Blue book points on offer if you can sail from the M5 bridge to the Clifton suspension bridge (or vice versa), or 5 points on offer if you can sail from Cardiff (wherever you raise/stow your sails within 2 miles from the Barrage) to the Clifton suspension bridge (or vice versa), without using your engine at all.

It is the sole and inescapable responsibility of the skipper to decide whether to enter or continue participating in any event, especially with regard to prevailing and forecast weather conditions and passage planning.
Please also ensure your vessel and it’s equipment is in a sound and seaworthy condition and that you and your crew are suitably experienced, properly prepared, equipped and clothed for the forecast conditions and any adverse weather as required.

Looking at weather forcus I being watching the rugby Fred

[Deleted]

Hmmmm.... it's not looking likely is it? None of them are good, but depending on which forecast you care to believe anything up to 45+mph winds over the weekend.

What will you do if this is a washout Huw? Re-arrange the Avon Sail Challenge for another date or simply abandon?

Julian.

[Matt]

Typical weather for the planned Bristol trip...grrrr.

[allan]

Looks like, at least, three boats are planning to leave Cardiff at low tide on Saturday.
Allan

[allan]

Inshore forecast for 0600 Saturday. S or SW, force 4, 5 or 6. Which narrows it down a bit!
Allan

[allan]

Bright Flyer and Chausey completed the full Avon challenge by 1700 today. Valkerie Myth will need some adjudication from the sailing secretary. What a great day! Are there extra points for doing it both ways?
Allan

[Viv]

Great, glad to hear that you did it. I hear that Volition went aground and gave up! More to follow when I am told the full story. Have a great weekend guys. Sorry I am not there.

Don't forget to go and look through some open doors while you are there, and make sure that Viv goes with you!

[allan]

Viv is a hero, details later.
Allan

[Deleted]

looks like we missed out on a good trip in the end - I was due to join Julian and Matt on Katy. Ho hum, never can tell with the weather at the moment!

should be an interesting sail back. reefing may be in order!!

let us know how you get on

Peter

[Viv]

4 boats to make the 11 30 lock out Volition was missing.
Leaving my mooring a gust of wind pushed me over the buoy and chains no problem it has happened lots of times jest pull myself back in and start again
not so I was stuck fast thanks to Rob and his mate thay helped me to secure the boat.went to borrow Big Rays work boat and tackle the problem,What a mess
I phoned Chausey I Will not make it his reply was that thay were still punching the tide,(that was about 12 30) I replied still working on the mooring lines.
Brian King came over to see how I was doing I was ready to pull out Volition at last free again re moored, connected all the lines and returned the Tender got back on board 13 05 ?? I can make it.
13 30 lock out set sail 14 00 Outer Wrack had a good run reaching
The entrance of the Avon at 15 55 .I can still make Bristol Dock Gate giving myself 2Hrs to sail there ,it became a very funny but hard thing to do.
I lost count of the times Volition would not tack through the wind and getting stuck in the mud banks with tide pulling me back out and sailing back wards and then jibing round to start over again the people aboard the Mathew and Matilda must have thought I was mad I jest mist both of then.
On I went to the bridge still hitting small banks almost there about a 1/4 Mile jest before the last leading white mark the tide became slack no wind to be felt Volition hit the bank this time it was Rock not very happy about this and the end for me made the lock 1900 a fantastic day.
Sunday morning couldn't believe how far I had sailed up the Avon.
The tip back was another story 24 kt wind I had to get the bread knife out.

[allan]

In my opinion Valkery Myth and Volition should get full points. Ian motored because it was unsafe to continue due to other boats. Vincent did it single handed, something which I know I could not have done! He only lost the tide due to problems at the club. Both were within sight of the bridge.
As for our trip, fantastic! I have never smiled and laughed so much. At one time we were looking forward at the stern of Bright Flyer but we were in front! Later they passed us like we were standing still, because we were stuck in the mud. People on the bank could not believe the mad yachties doing ballet dancer impressions up the river.
Please be aware, if anyone protests me in the next regatta I have at least ten 360s in hand!
Thanks to Huw for coming up with the idea and everyone who was there.
Allan

[Martyn & Sarah]

Cant add much more really but very rewarding doing the challenge, hard work though, you could do with a self tacking jib. We managed to find some open doors a lovely building called the Shakespeare so we all went inside to see what was on offer. To our surpise it was full of people taking part in a familiar past time so we thought we would give it a go. So we stepped up to the stage and gave it ago " alas fair maid giveth some of your finest ales" . It turned out to be quite easy we were all naturals at it Alan especially i think he has been here before.
My headeth acheth in morning with the thought of the force 5eth wind over tideth to get home
martyn and sarah , eth