Wednesday 27th August 2014

"Wednesday 27th August 2014"

     I have not sailed for a couple of weeks due to Officer Of The Day (OOD) duty and a weekend in the Lake-District . This Wednesday night sail (the penultimate) did not disappoint. It was a mass start due to fading light which meant a crowded line and plenty of port and starboard on the first beat . We battled round in windy conditions without incident , but I must mention the harbour at H.L.S.C.

  As you can see it's narrow and a bit tricky to exit and enter even  in good conditions. Now when a strong wind is blowing straight into the harbour it is a spectator sport to rival any extreme sport . A small group of spectators gather on the harbour wall to offer advice and support as the sailors gallantly try to save their precious boats from damage against the concrete walls . It is such a spectacle it can be heard being discussed weeks later .Entering the harbour can be just as tricky with sailors leaping from their boats into deep water to avoid a collision . All part of the fun!

But I yearn for a civilized jetty !