Just Back from Bala......
We've obviously been talking to the wrong Druids as the weather was in a bit of a Laver on Saturday. I measured 25 knots on the pontoon so it was probably an F 7 out in the open.
Bayraiders in their element under jib and mizzen while “Four Sisters” and I skulked about on shore, sucking our teeth. Just shows what a good boat the BR is.
On Sunday, however, winds had dropped to a three or four and even the tippy boats could come out to play. Mind you, some of us had to row by 4:00 pm, the wind only returning, briefly, as we approached the pontoons. (‘Twas ever thus!)
Good to see some variations on the "out of the box" Bayraiders and some non-Bayraiders, too. The most notable of which had to be Michael Rogers' "Cavatina", a home-built, Junk-rigged Trouper 12. Michael has made a fine job of her and has made a beautifully balanced rig that points a Damn site higher than it has any right to! (Photo below. More later if I can make time.)
Personal thanks to Graham for getting the ball rolling again. Perhaps this should become an annual event or maybe it could be rotated around the country, Bala, Poole Harbour, Brancaster Staithes, Ullswater, Oban....?
Perhaps, too, those with local knowledge would like to do some of the organisation or knock up a facts sheet to share the load a bit......while making it clear that they are not responsible for any health and safety issues or other bureaucratic legal nonsense.
Thanks, too, to the nice people at the Bryntirion Inn for looking after us so well with Penderyn Single Malt Wysgi, (
http://www.welsh-whisky.co.uk/) Purple Moose beers (
http://www.purplemoose.co.uk/) and who could forget "Our famous ‘Bryn bara’ filled with Welsh Black beef, mushroom and ale casserole £9.75"
Hmmm. Not sure they weren't trying to kill us with that one ... Talk about Mister Creosote ! A "waffer thin mint" would have certainly done the job.
Nice to see everyone. Let’s do it again.
