In my last post, the small fleet that had departed Studland had arrived at the Weymouth and Portland Sailing Academy (WPNSA) on the Wednesday afternoon/evening where we found Brad on
Siobhan already waiting with beer in hand.
Thursday was arrival day for those coming by road and so the duly elected volunteers (pressed ganged) - Brad, Tony and Chis on slipway duties, myself and Ian on car park and rigging area and Glenys and Sharon on Reception went into action.
The first to arrive were Henk Wels and his friend Arend who had made the long journey from Holland. The trickle during the morning became a steady flow in the afternoon and then a flood as people escaped work early or completed long journeys from Scotland and similar distances.
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| Very hot day in the car park |
By the end of a long day everyone had arrived and were enjoying the village atmosphere on the pontoons.
Sharon had arranged a Sailors Supper for the first evening and following this we gave a briefing about the plans for the weekend and some do's and don'ts on the site.
Each day started with a briefing at 09.30 and
Friday's concerned the voyage to Lulworth for lunch.
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| The Briefing - Andy Cooper |
It was a beautiful day with a strengthening wind and the fleet set out making an impressive sight across Portland Harbour and Weymouth Bay.
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| Across the Bay - by Tom Richardson |
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| En route to Lulworth - Mdb.photos |
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| Leaving WPNSA - Mdb.photos |
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| Yours truly - Mdb.photos |
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| The fleet - Mdb.photos |
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| Lulworth Cove - Mdb.photos |
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| Entering Lulworth - Mdb.photos |
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| Lulworth - Tom Richardson |
The return journey was not so comfortable but all were in good spirits by the time they got back to WPNSA with many approaching me and commenting that that was their biggest and most adventurous sail in their luggers, or that they had achieved an ambition of visiting Lulworth by boat and many other heartwarming comments.
That evening was self catering with a large contingent visiting the Cove for fish and chips
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| Sunset at Chesil beach - viewed from the The Cove - DP |
Saturday was the day of the 'Pursuit Race' - now we all know Drascombes don't race...but if you are in front you want to stay there, and if you are not in the front you try and get there...if you fail you start fishing or similar..... and so it was our Pursuit Race was rapidly re named a
Parade of Sail around a prescribed route, after the harbour master pointed out that to race required a risk assessment, written requests and a fee......
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| Laying out the course for the "Parade of Sail" - Ray Dittrich Photography |
There was little wind to speak of to start with and it was less of a Parade..much less a race and more drifting in style.
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| Ray Dittrich Photography |
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| Ray Dittrich Photography |
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| Ray Dittrich Photography |
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| Last resorts - Ray Dittrich Photography |
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| Ray Dittrich Photography |
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| Ray Dittrich Photography |
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| Queen Mary Sailing Club Sailability Longboat "Zingaroo" skippered by David Jillings - Ray Dittrich Photography |
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| Ray Dittrich Photography |
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| Line honours - Dominic Jarman in Samphire - Ray Dittrich Photography |
The afternoon entertainment consisted of a similar Parade buy on this occasion the competition was for the best dressed overall. To add spice to the occasion "Katharine Mary" the very first lugger every built, who you may remember took pride of place on the CB:L London Boat Show stand back in January, was back on the water. She was accompanied by "Zingaroo" the latest boat to be built who you may have seen in an earlier blog entry, was launched and named by HRH Princes Anne at Queen Mary Sailing Club for their Sailability section, only a few weeks before.
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| "Katharine Mary" the first Lugger built 50 years ago - Ray Dittrich Photography |
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| "Katharine Mary" and "Zingaroo" first and latest - Ray Dittrich Photography |
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| "KM" - Ray Dittrich Photography |
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| "Zingaroo" - Simon Harwood and Kyle Crew and David Jillings helm - Ray Dittrich Photography |
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| First and latest - Ray Dittrich Photography |
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| Ray Dittrich Photography |
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| Ray Dittrich Photography |
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| Ray Dittrich Photography |
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| Ray Dittrich Photography |
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| Ray Dittrich Photography |
The Golden Jubilee dinner took place that evening with much merriment , some speeches and prizes awarded and some very kind impromptu comments from the audience.
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| © Andy Cooper |
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| © Andy Cooper |
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| © Andy Cooper |
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| © Andy Cooper |
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| © Andy Cooper |
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| © Andy Cooper |
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| © Andy Cooper |
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| © Andy Cooper |
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| © Andy Cooper |
Sunday was the last day of the celebrations for most and as a nice touch Ruth Worsely and her husband Howard had offered to conduct a short a simple service - although they had brought their Coaster along for the celebration weekend Ruth's full time job involves being the Bishop of Taunton and Howard is also involved in the church. So we gathered for a few hymns and readings, remembering Drascombers who are now longer with us, Hans Vandersmissen , Like Churchouse and Douglas Hopwood to name but a few.
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| Ruth Worsely - © Andy Cooper |
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| Howard's rope trick - © Andy Cooper |
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| The CBL crew - © Andy Cooper |
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| Group photo time - © Andy Cooper |
People began to haul out for the long journey home, with happy memories of a great weekend. Those of use who sailed from the Solent took advantage of the Sunday ceasefire on the range and set back across the bay to overnight in Studland, feasting on mackerel caught en route, and made our way back to Ashlett via Shepards Wharf over the following days.
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