Rallies: the first of this season was to Fambridge when five yachts made their way up river in glorious Fambridge sunshine but little wind for some pleasant socialising on board Skipper’s Juliet, (excellent nibbles and drinks) before repairing to the Ferryboat for the evening. On station were Juliet, Storm, DryFly, Barbary Heron and Lune Orbiter; other members arrived by road. After a dull start on Sunday, the day brightened, helped no doubt by the delicious bacon rolls served aboard Storm, though the light Easterly breeze meant a motoring back to Burnham for some.

The Spring Bank Holiday rallies to Brightlingsea and West Mersea were inevitably a disappointment due to the gale-force winds experienced over the holiday weekend. Colin and Yvonne Brewer in Lady Pickle sailed into Brightlingsea on Friday after a ‘pretty rough’ trip as Colin put it and were one of only five yachts to enter Brightlingsea Harbour over the weekend. Returning Sunday in bright sunshine and a northeasterly gusting 40k at times, the homeward trip was just as ‘thrilling’ – double rally points for effort maybe?

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Once again Norman Hummerstone with seven others aboard took on what has now become a traditional cruise upriver to Fambridge to celebrate the New Year with a tipple at The FerryBoat Inn. With little wind and an ebbing tide we motored steadily up-river with just the throbbing of the engine and the chattering of the cooks below to disturb the tranquility. Ultimately 11 of us arrived in three yachts, Barbary Heron, Sandpiper and Jackalope. Those of us on Barbary Heron were treated to the traditional Scottish dish of haggis, tatties and neeps, aye, and that was accompanied by some traditional Scottish water of life. On arrival at the Fambridge pontoon, mince pies were distributed to those still hungry. The Ferryboat Inn was heaving with a merry crowd but it was soon time to catch the last of the tide back to Burnham, a merry start indeed to the New Year.

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