NCSC Winter Sail link to video Video from Simon

February 27/28 2009

Some of us were fortunate enough to go over to the coast on the Thursday, Steve & Viv, Dave & Julie and Rachel & I.

We had the Granary to ourselves, and each couple took over a course for the evening meal, we had fish soup, Chilli con carne and apple crumble and the odd glass of wine. A certain person has become, over recent times quite an entertainer and with a little help we were soon singing the night away.

Friday 0500

Up early to catch the tide, but we had all rushed putting the boats together the day before so there were a number of 2 minutes jobs. Eventually we were off in line astern and as it was nearly high water we didn’t have to bother with the channel, over the bar and out to sea. It may have been little grey and the wind a little cold but the brightness of everyone’s smiles made it a sail to remember. Back to the Granary, for showers etc then across to the café for a “FAT BOYS” breakfast, and it was.

I wanted to look at the channel & Steve wanted to do some bird watching so we all went of to the Golf Club and walked down the beach towards the harbour.

There was the odd bird now and again, but then we got to the now dry Harbour the walk took on a strange gait as we walked 20 metres stopped looked at the Black and white duck ( Merganzer ?) listed every thing else with feathers, then moved on another 20 metres to repeat the process, much to my surprise it became interesting and enjoyable !!

Brancaster: Wayfarer Winter Sail Feb 2009

As a relative novice to sailing, Wayfarers, NCSC and Norfolk bunkhouses it was with a considerable mixture of feelings that I drove off to the wilds of the Norfolk Coast one Friday evening at the end of February.- The trip had seemed like a good idea the summer before, after a hot day and several cocktails. However, the potentially tortuous journey east (and the return on Sunday) passed in a flash with navigation from Kesten and tales of hypnosis & also deception from Alison - yes, we were intrigued too.

We arrived to find most of the 20 others already ensconced in the The Jolly Sailor. I believe some may already have been out to sea & back.

All I can say about the rest of the evening was that my curry was excellent, the Adnams even better and the guitars & singing very good - although my judgement on the latter too may have been slightly clouded by the afore-mentioned ale.

The Saturday 5.00 am wakeup call to catch the tides came far too quickly. Fortunately, the only thing that I could remember Simon saying before the trip was not to be too surprised to find a lot of people wandering around in thermals in the morning,- so I wasn’t.

The weather was fair with a light breeze and I think that this was just perfect for a first timer unused to dawn starts and real sea. An assortment of 7 Wayfarers set out across the shallows to open water and went sailing… and it was good.

I will not forget my first impressions of rigging up at dawn, with the rapidly changing hues of grey light on the sand, water and mud at the Hard, almost like an oil painting. Then setting off into the water to the curling of curlews and peeping of birds that go peep- very different to the dawn chorus I hear at home.

I will also remember; the crunch of negotiating the shallows- thank goodness for John’s brass edged centre- board; the motley line of sails; Mexican waving when we stopped for tea; having to keep John’s camera down my front because it only worked when warm and then the sun coming out as we sailed back to drink bucks fizz on the Hard.

The rest of the weekend was just as good craic, - an excellent full English breakfast then bird watching with Commodore Steve leading the way. Many birds were spotted* although identification skills were a little lacking in my group. I blame not having a telescope (rocket-launcher size seemed to be de rigour) Later a great Chinese meal (although Rachel wants to know who ate all the lemon chicken?) Followed by Doug’s birthday cheese, Charles’s key lime pie, fun, games and firing of cotton buds under Julie’s tuition.

Sunday’s sail was good too. It started later and encompassed previously unexplored territory i.e. we sailed all the way round the island and back. Then because the wind dropped, we got the spinnakers up. Despite protestation I swear I saw some competition creeping in then! Finally we were swept home to a nice lee shore landing.

All in all an excellent weekend with good company. Thank you everyone! And especially Simon and Rachel.

 

Esther Gladman

* Red Breasted Meganzer, Sandwing, Brent Geese, Plover, Turnstones, Oystercatcher, Bar Tailed Godwits, Redshank, Curlew, Ringed Plover, Skylark, Mallard, Meadow Pippet, Dunlin, Kestrel, Black Headed Gull, Herring Gull, Brambling, Pintail, Shoveller, Little Grebe, Snipe, Black Tailed Godwit, Siskin, Robin, Pheasant, Water Rail, Avocet, Marsh Harrier.  

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