The joys of spring!

[shindig]

AS some of you know, i am finding it hard to get on the water as much as i would like due to the demands of one year old baby girl. So, it was with great delight that i managed to snatch a few hours today to take Shindig, my Hunter 19, for a spin around the bay! For once, there was some wind! A nice little breeze with some more exciting gusts. I made the wise decision not to stick the new (well ebay bargain second hand) genoa up and opted for the working jib.

As anyone who has sailed one of these boats will know, they don't half shift given a bit of wind - she took off like a rocket whenever the gusts kicked in and we had a merry time sailing as close into the wind as possible - which is pretty close on these, then running away downwind.

As my sumlog is not working at the minute i have no idea what speed we were doing but suffice to say it would have been fast enough to scare my girlfriend (if she had dared to come along).

All the little jobs i had intended doing (oiling the teak seats, measuring up for a new chart table and shelf, checking the anchor warp etc.) didn't get done, but hey, they can wait for a rainy day with no wind!!!

I was surprised not to see more folks out - but at least it was less people to run into!!! - perhaps you were all out in the Channel?

Hope to see you on Thursday at the AGM

[Camelot]

It was a perfect sailing day. Great weather and a reasonable breeze.

I didn't go sailing but did sleep onboard, do some maintenance and attempt to teach the kids to row (bit too windy for that).

[ishtar]

It probably sounds ungrateful, but I haven't sailed our boat for over 4 months. Ungrateful considering I've had 2 1/2 weeks in the Caribbean, sailed with Vince and Allan and did the Bad boyz Bangor trip, but I really do miss sailing me own boat.

Anyway, Louise and I move house tomorrow, so, although we are not going to make the fun in Portishead this weekend, here's to a return to the water for Ishtar soon.

[sheila]

Sorry that you won't be able to make it on the Portishead trip M & L, but best wishes in your new home!

[Camelot]

Won't be the same without you guys! We'll have to have a drink for you! - Squash of course!