learn to sail sessions followed by racing at 1.30 pm.The Accessible Sailing went like clockwork - disabled sailors, volunteers and carers seemed to work together as a well oiled machine. Ron Stone gave me permission to take a series of photos of him being winched out of his wheel chair and gently lowered into a ballast assisted dinghy. Then I went over and watched Hariet Woodrow and John Woods teaching two small boys how to tack in a small dinghy on land before letting them loose afloat. All the while Rod was cruising around in the rescue dinghy. The Accessible Sailing and learn to sail were over before the weather got "interesting".
Nicky and Lee had come down for the weekend and we decided to sign up for the race. Another first for Little Dragon. I haven't sailed a "round the buoys" course for 50 years but Nicky has a good sense of direction and said that she had got the hang of the compicated figure of eight courseI knew that the forecast included "late thunder". By the time we had the race briefing the word was out that the wind was expected to increase to 30 knots and the briefer gleefully predicted that boats would "crash" in the second race.
At 1 pm it didn't look too bad so we decided to give it a go - reefed and wearing life jackets (just in case ...). The wind was around 15 knots SSE and a huge storm cloud formed in the south, then there was thunder and lightning. The wind wasn't really strong (yet) but it was increasing. With memories of being caught out by a Southerly Buster once before on the Clarence River we retired just before we crossed the start line. Better safe than sorry etc. As it turned out the storm circled round to the east and never hit Harwood. With hindsight we could have continued, instead we sat on the deck watching the others and admiring the efforts of Sarah, a talented junior sailor.
That evening the trio headed to Maclean for dinner. Nicky and Lee stayed at the Top Pub (basic but friendly) and I returned to sleep aboard Little Dragon.
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