"The story and saviours of 'Tarika' BR17 at SB Falmouth Raid 2015".
The week began well with home in Surrey getting the full blast of the summer heatwave of high 30's to 40C while we basked in the cool airs around Mylor at 15C - 20C.
My first error, on the first day of the Raid, was not to use my padded seats. Too many things to sort out taking my mind off protecting the nether regions.
Of course salt and water and sliding around on the seats took their toll and by the time the pain had penetrated the haze of my overworked brain it was too late, the damage was done!!.
I spent the rest of the week applying Aloe Vera cream and have only just(1 week later) begun to experience the joys of sitting without pain again.
The sailing and racing was frantic and peaceful in equal measures with strong winds, no winds and the joys of huge gusts up the river estuaries - reminded me of Salcombe!.
As we had came to enjoy the scenery and sailing experience - I'm not sure how much of the surroundings I managed to take in.
Fortunately my long suffering wife Lin took the time to take some excellent photos, so I could look back at later.
The only major problem came on the 2nd day after we landed on the beach up Helford passage after a long sail around from Mylor.
As we beached the boat the centre board was forced up into the boat trapping two lines alongside the CB handle.
Try as I might I could not free off the lines, the CB was well and truly jammed tight.
I, unusually, ran out of ideas eventually and requested if the couple in the boat next to us, Alison & Peter in Boadicea, had any ideas.
Nothing emerged from our combined brain power except, Peter suggested that he get this huge shackle that he had continually carried around with him as "it might come in handy some day".
This was that day.
It fitted perfectly around the CB handle and on the way back, under motor, I managed to remove the up haul rope and grommets to find that the shackle screw fitted perfectly through the handle hole.
Now I had something that I could put even more purchase onto it to try to free the CB.
I had visions of getting back to Mylor and requesting a crane to try to lift it up!!.
Finally I found that the 'T' handle of my paddle just fitted under the side of the shackle and with approx 30:1 purchase started to move the CB.
I was worried that the handle might break off with the strain but it held out and the CB and lines were finally freed.
By then, mind and body were totally exhausted so we continued to motor back to Mylor after refilling the Suzuki's fuel tank.
Having delayed Alison & Peter's exit from the beach, they rowed and sailed hard to get to the next start, while all the other boats motored past at speed to get there in time. They were very late to start but battled on regardless.
We and the safety boat crews then repeatedly asked if they would like a tow back, but they rightly and stubbornly refused assistance.
Their heroic actions were rightfully rewarded with a prize that night, for being the only boat which sailed and rowed the whole race without using a motor(they didn't have one!) and for their kind assistance.
As well as them we met many other interesting sailing characters and the atmosphere and friendliness was brilliant.
Many thanks for the excellent organization - 'we will be back'.
Herewith some pics:
https://picasaweb.google.com/103187633815556867979/SBFalmouthRaid2015FromTarikaForSwallowBoaters?authuser=0&feat=directlink