I don’t think it ever gets better than this.

The morning was shining, and we put out 5 boats because the number of participants we were expecting was fairly low. This gave the opportunity for our new volunteers to have a practice sail, or a practice in Charlie’s Chariot.

Ray, Helen, Barry, Ralph arrived early to get everything ready, and it wasn’t long before we were joined by our very keen new volunteers; Mal and Jenny, Tania, new Power Boat Driver, Tom, David W, Peter, Ariane, Helen FS. These were the people who put the boats out and started working on the rigging, under the watchful eye of Peter, the Boat Operations Manager. Soon, our sailors started arriving…John C, Ivan, Sarah-Jane, David G, Niamh, Jack, Jerome, Jacinta, Helene, Lianne and Chris, Marie and Jannie. The rigging was finished quickly and we were ready to get going.

Marie was a wonderful registrar, Helen H was busy being the membership secretary and making sure everyone had tea or coffee, Tom embarked on Charlie’s Chariot with observer Ralph, then Jacinta, Sarah-Jane and Tania, the sailors hopped in for a practice sail, and with David W being the pontoon manager, a most efficient start was experienced.

Photo of Judy is lifted out of the boat using our hoist.We hardly noticed our participant sailors, as they just fitted into the momentum of boats going out, coming back, swapping sailors, and the day simply flowing. Thank you so much to these people, who made the day worthwhile for us all: Megan, Maureen, Judy, Rory, Matt, Susan, Robert and Jonathon. It is a joy to work with you and a pleasure to see your smiling faces. Photo of Helen cooking the sausagesvAlso thanks to their helpers, Nicky, Brenda, Jason, John, Elisa, and Joe. I wish every sailing day would proceed as smoothly as this one did. By the time everyone had had a sail, the September gusts had started, forcing us to bring the boats back and get them away.