Sailing cut short by Suffragettes

It was a rushed but satisfactory dash to Harwood and back. Jill Trevillian and I got to the BRSC early, in time for the pre-sailing committee meeting. Then we rigged and launched as quickly as we could. Despite our best efforts it was still nearly 1 pm before we were underway.

All the week the forecast had been light winds but at the last minute a strong northerly blew up. As it wasn't forecast I didn't take it seriously and didn't reef. Never mind, we had an exhilarating sail for a couple of hours. Most of the time we tacked downriver making very slow progress against wind and tide - but it took no time at all to return to the ramp. By that time we felt like we had had a real workout and the next day it felt as if my arms had almost been pulled out of their sockets. We both slept well. Sorry, no snaps today for obvious reasons - no spare hands.

We were anxious to get ashore earlier than usual and get back to Byron Bay. The British Film Festival was on at The Palace and we both wanted to see The Suffragette.

Fantastic weather for juniors' training long weekend

The whole long weekend was just perfect. Just the right amount of wind. Sunny but not too hot. An enthusiastic bunch of juniors intent on sailing not electronic gadgetry. Some were very junior around 6 to 8 and sailed Bics, others were teenage and had graduated to lasers. Almost all of them took part in the Saturday afternoon club championship race.

Whilst I was quite willing to help it all seemed to be under control without me so Nicky, Noela and I rigged Little Dragon and while the race was on we sailed down river to the Goodwood mark and back. Very pleasant. Nothing untoward to report. 

Noela

Nicky

We cruised around while others raced

I stayed on Little Dragon overnight and changed crews on Sunday. Nicky and Noela went home and John Woods and Ted (the poodle) came instead. I describe John as crew but he was very much in sail training mode. So I couldn't just relax he insisted that I get Little Dragon sailing well - all the time. He is right, I am a bit slack on my own! 

John Woods with Ted (not a dog but a poodle)

Lads having fun issuing tickets but not to us! We had our safety gear

Although there were very few people out on the river, just a few fishermen in tinnies, Roads and Maritime had deployed two officers on top of the range jet skis to zoom down the river and check on fishing licences and safety equipment such as life jackets. What a wonderful job for a couple of lads - perfect conditions, jet skis to zoom around on and double pay and a half for Sunday work.

I drove home early on the Monday morning beating the holiday traffic. 

I really must take some bog and paint to a few gauges near the bow and on the rudder and have Little Dragon spruced up for the annual Bridge to Breakers. [Note: 22 October - done]