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All's Well That Ends Well (RoyB)
After Rutland, another great weekend. On Saturday EddieP counted 24 boats present - a good turnout accounted for by the accessibility of Windermere and the fact that it was the last 'full' meet of the year. We have not only organiser JanP to thank, but also SteveR who saw to it that the site was booked and that all the facilities were at our disposal. As the temperature fell below freezing on Saturday night, we were very grateful for his efforts. Thank you both. I think it's the ideal venue for October as the lake is far less busy than in the high season, we have the site all to ourselves and the large, heated social room offers ideal space for gossip, eating, etc.
And the weather...? Interesting. We enjoyed the excitement of blustery winds on Saturday and the challenge of gentle, fickle breezes on Sunday. And in the night we marvelled at the clear, starry sky, followed by a calm sunrise with a delicate mist hovering over the water.
Strong northerly winds had been forecast, but after dodgy conditions first thing on Saturday, most people reckoned that a sortie northwards would be OK. At least we could expect a run back to base. One group, including me, made it to Ferry Nab; others decided that a shorter trip would suit.
SueB had said that a beach on Rawlinson's Nab (2.2 miles off) would be a good place to stop, and so it proved after beating against a force 2 with frequent lively gusts. With a long fetch the waves had the chance to build, so that I was glad to bail out quite a few scoops full of water when we pulled up on the sheltered, gently shelving shore. Just to the north, on the opposite side of the lake, a speedboat contest was in progress on a tight, circular course. Being planing craft, their wash wasn't half so bad as the displacement cruiser that flew past, necessitating a temporary change of course. After a chat and light refreshment we pulled out into the wind, which after a while dropped a little and veered slightly to the west, enabling us finally to keep a close-hauled course to the beach in the bay immediately north of the public slipway beyond the ferry. A satisfying outward trip of 4+ miles. Then cups of tea and soup at the kiosk, when Bernard hurried up and told us to come and see the steam-powered canoe moored by the slipway. What a delight; beam 3.5 ft, length 18 ft. (approx.), pre-1914 strip planked hull with engine and boiler built by owner and friend about 17 years ago. He had been most taken with our craft as we had sailed by, especially the ketch rigs and said he hoped to see us on Sunday.
We set sail in a pleasant following breeze, aware that a large grey cloud with rain was somewhere behind us. As we passed the ferry the wind started to strengthen and I noticed that WalterG and I were gaining on the steam canoe, also going south. As we accelerated so did he until we were fair flying along. Then a really fierce gust hit me and for perhaps a minute I was barely in control. With both sails set to port the boat swung round to starboard in a mass of spray and flapping sails to meet the wash of a passing speedboat. I turned back to my course as the blow went by and rain began to fall. Ahead DaveT was making for the shelter of the shore where he dropped sail and paddled on. Walter said later that he'd never sailed as fast in his outrigger. In the far distance I could make out a canoe with the entire sail streaming out from the masthead in the wind and an outrigger going to assist. JohnS's sheet and downhaul had come adrift, but coper that he is, he sorted it. MartinO, realising that he'd have to set his sail on the opposite side by Rawlinson's Nab decided not to gybe, but tacked round. As the wind fell to manageable strength, DaveT re-hoisted his sail. On we ran, adrenaline levels falling; one more experience to (thankfully!) savour.
At Lakeside, where the blast had shaken the trees in a swirl of leaves, members were relieved to discover that we had survived without capsizing. When PaulW heard tell of the steam canoe he wouldn't believe it - to the extent that he'd give Bernard a sumptuous bar of chocolate if said craft appeared next day. It did, of course, and the chairman shared out the spoils.
At 5 o'clock a committee meeting was called. Then some members went off to the pub, others having visited the Boaters' Inn on Friday. The rest of us gathered in the warmth of the large room to spend a pleasant evening...
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