On Sunday of last week I went sailing on Windermere with Dave, the guy who did the RYA level 2 course with us.
His boat is a WildFire, an Ian Proctor designed boat, nearer 20 ft than 15 fit in length, and with a removable keel rather than a centreboard. The keel is lowered in place, and the weighted down by 6 pairs of bags containing weights, that drape over a central divider, so that they can be lifted out again.
It is berthed just south of Bowness, near the Hawkeshead chain ferry, very close to the footpath that runs along the lakeside, so that you are in view of the passers by as you are floundering around / coping expertly with the cover and rigging etc.
Unlike Glenridding, where it is all sailing and canoes, here there are motor boats and yaughts, and sailing dinghies are very much in the minority. There is a ramp with space for two boats to be launched at any one time, and a jetty to tie the boat to after launching and parking the car. There are toilets, and a snack bar, with some tables, and some picnic tables overlooking the slip way and the extended jetty area, where there were many fine yaughts to be admired.
We wore our wetsuits, which was totally unnecessary, as the wind was barely noticeable as we set up. But because I had left my car at Dave's house, I had a choice between the wetsuit and a rather unsuitable pair of trousers I was wearing, and Dave gallantly joined me in wearing a wetsuit.
When we got out to the middle of the lake the wind was reasonably OK, and we had a gentle sail upwind to the south, before we started getting a slightly stronger wind which made it nice sailing.
This was Dave's first time in the boat for several weeks, and after he felt he had got the hang of it, he let me take the helm, and it felt very nice. After a while we turned back to get some lunch, and it certainly seemed to have a good turn of speed travelling with the wind.
Windermere is very beautiful, and there are some very admirable properties along the banks. It was certainly a very nice experience, and a little more like going on a public highway, with lots of crafts of various types parading along the same stretch of thoroughfare. All the boats have a permit number in white letters on black background on their side, a bit like number plates on a car.
We ate our lunch back on the side where we launched from, and several folk Dave had met before came over and had very pleasant and encouraging conversations. I had thought Windermere was all to do with yaughts and quite snooty, so I was quite encouraged.
What I was a bit taken aback with was how long it took to set up and pack away. I was hoping for a further afternoon session, but I had to be back to meet Ann by four, so we called it a day. It was frustrating that the wind was quite a bit stronger by then, but it was a good sail, and we can always do it again another day.
Thanks for a good day, Dave
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Racing at Glenridding
Last weekend I had my first experience of racing.
Twice a year, in June and September, the gaffe rigged boats gather at Glenridding for a day of racing. Always ready to learn from someone more experienced, I offered to crew for anyone without a crew, if they would have me. So I ended up crewing for Barry.
All the boats were traditional boats, without a keel, and with weights along the ridge which make them very unlikely to capsize. So much so that Barry had carpet in his. He taught me how to drain the excess water off my shoes before stepping in, but sadly my rolled up trousers were not rolled up enough, and I dripped quite a bit of water on the carpet. Sorry Barry.
Gaffe rigged boats have a beam attached at an angle to the mast, so that the sail reaches higher than the mast. Barry's was a gunter rig, where the beam rises vertically above the mast. It was a GRP (glass reinforced fibreglass) body with a wooden trim, well treated and bright.
The boat had two jib sales, one attached to the front of the boat, and the other attached to a short extension bar. They were my job to look after, the front one had green sheets (ropes) and the back one had brown ones.
Neither Barry nor I had a watch, so Steve lent me his (thanks Steve) and we timed the 5 and 4 and 1 minute hooter, counting down the the start hooter.
I was impressed how much every one trusted each other. The boats were sailing incredibly close to each other, and the ones with the right of way were not tempted to give way themselves, confident that the other boat would indeed do what was required. While all this was going on they were busy trading banter with one another.
After we turned at the south end of the lake we had a long stretch on a run, and there was more time to talk. We went round an Island near the east and across to the west round a buoy, and then came the stretch sailing upwind toward the finish line.
Traditional boats are not like dinghies, and I was trying to pull the jib sheets too tight. Linnhe explained to me afterwards that if you try to sail too close to the wind, the boat is blown leeward, and you actually make more progress by sailing less close to the wind.
I think we came in fourth. A hooter is blown as you cross the line, and you hope that it is blowing for you, and not the other boat that is trying to catch you. It is difficult to tell, because you can cross the line at any point between the two shores. After you cross you hold up the page with your number, so that they can make a note of it against your time.
Afterwards, Barry had the job, with some help I think, of keying these times and handicaps, to work out who had won. In the second race, which he was not taking part, the winner is the one who crosses the line first, but the handicap is quite a different matter.
I took the opportunity to go out in one the Seaflies before I had to be on my way back, and Linnhe lent me her watch so I could finish in time. The staff at Glenridding are certainly very supportive. I got changed into my (brand new) wetsuit, which was just as well, not that I capsized the Seafly. Being concerned not to hit the dagger board on the bottom, I pulled it up well before I reached the shore. But as I was sailing into the wind, I soon started drifting without the centreboard. I thought I was in water shallow enough to jump out, and soon discovered otherwise when I tried, and pulled myself back into the boat. And that was how my new wetsuit was baptised.
Twice a year, in June and September, the gaffe rigged boats gather at Glenridding for a day of racing. Always ready to learn from someone more experienced, I offered to crew for anyone without a crew, if they would have me. So I ended up crewing for Barry.
All the boats were traditional boats, without a keel, and with weights along the ridge which make them very unlikely to capsize. So much so that Barry had carpet in his. He taught me how to drain the excess water off my shoes before stepping in, but sadly my rolled up trousers were not rolled up enough, and I dripped quite a bit of water on the carpet. Sorry Barry.
Gaffe rigged boats have a beam attached at an angle to the mast, so that the sail reaches higher than the mast. Barry's was a gunter rig, where the beam rises vertically above the mast. It was a GRP (glass reinforced fibreglass) body with a wooden trim, well treated and bright.
The boat had two jib sales, one attached to the front of the boat, and the other attached to a short extension bar. They were my job to look after, the front one had green sheets (ropes) and the back one had brown ones.
Neither Barry nor I had a watch, so Steve lent me his (thanks Steve) and we timed the 5 and 4 and 1 minute hooter, counting down the the start hooter.
I was impressed how much every one trusted each other. The boats were sailing incredibly close to each other, and the ones with the right of way were not tempted to give way themselves, confident that the other boat would indeed do what was required. While all this was going on they were busy trading banter with one another.
After we turned at the south end of the lake we had a long stretch on a run, and there was more time to talk. We went round an Island near the east and across to the west round a buoy, and then came the stretch sailing upwind toward the finish line.
Traditional boats are not like dinghies, and I was trying to pull the jib sheets too tight. Linnhe explained to me afterwards that if you try to sail too close to the wind, the boat is blown leeward, and you actually make more progress by sailing less close to the wind.
I think we came in fourth. A hooter is blown as you cross the line, and you hope that it is blowing for you, and not the other boat that is trying to catch you. It is difficult to tell, because you can cross the line at any point between the two shores. After you cross you hold up the page with your number, so that they can make a note of it against your time.
Afterwards, Barry had the job, with some help I think, of keying these times and handicaps, to work out who had won. In the second race, which he was not taking part, the winner is the one who crosses the line first, but the handicap is quite a different matter.
I took the opportunity to go out in one the Seaflies before I had to be on my way back, and Linnhe lent me her watch so I could finish in time. The staff at Glenridding are certainly very supportive. I got changed into my (brand new) wetsuit, which was just as well, not that I capsized the Seafly. Being concerned not to hit the dagger board on the bottom, I pulled it up well before I reached the shore. But as I was sailing into the wind, I soon started drifting without the centreboard. I thought I was in water shallow enough to jump out, and soon discovered otherwise when I tried, and pulled myself back into the boat. And that was how my new wetsuit was baptised.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Hereford Arts
We missed the launch of the Liverpool Food Festival in Seton Park on Sunday, choosing instead to go to opening weekend of the Hereford Arts Week.
We stayed two nights at The Hopbine which was reasonably OK at a fair price, and well placed to explore the county and the city.
We started off in the city centre, where many crafts folk had stalls, so that we could see lots of stuff without walking too far, and I bought some cuff links. After that Ann had to visit the galleries on her own, as I got waylaid by a visit to Hereford Cathedral and the Mappa Mundi In the same display room was John Wyclif's bible that he translated into English, laid open at the Psalms. A remarkable place to visit.
After buying some plums at the covered market, we headed south to Galanthus in Wormbridge, where we saw more alloy jewellery and pottery by Stuart Houghton, who we met last year. The lunch there was excellent, Ann had tomato & basil soup and I had an open sandwich with local bacon and their own award winning blue cheese.
Our next stop was Bailey's Home & Garden, where a family were just leaving with a pair of antlers as we arrived. This was a mixture of art craft homeware and recycling, as well as a cafe with some very delicious apple cake, which we enjoyed in the sunshine on their terrace. Our next visit took us to a farm where we admired the penstemon flowers on the way in, and bought a casserole dish from one of several potters who have studios there. The next visit also had penstemons on the way in, but sadly that was what we enjoyed most there. After that we visited an exhibition of pottery, knitware, paintings garden sculptures, where we were made welcome with tea and cake, and there was a Jazz group playing in the field next to the garden.
We had seen quite a bit by then, so we were very pleased to find a pub with a garden where we could enjoy the late afternoon sunshine, before looking or somewhere to enjoy our evening meal.
Our first stop on Sunday was Hellens Manor. I would like to visit it properly one day, but we were there to see the exhibition by the Guild of Herefordshire Craftsmen, where we saw bags, and furniture, and pottery, and mirrors, and more besides. I bought Ann a jewellery box made by Ken Gilbert. He was not there that day, but his fellow craftspeople obviously held him in high regard.
After a quick stop to look at ribbons, we went onto Ledbury, where once again Ann had to fend for herself, while I got waylaid at the Ledbury Heritage Centre. Tinsmiths in Ledbury is always worth visiting, and we enjoyed an excellent lunch in the cafe at the back of Nice Things.
After lunch we visited the best place of all, which was a family home, with a pottery display in the front garden, garden sculptures in the back garden, silk pictures being demonstrated in the kitchen, and finished pictures and furniture in the front room. Everything was a delight. The silk pictures looked like felt, but finer, and with embroidery that made the trees look quite beautiful. The furniture was beautifully made, and we bought a brightly coloured pottery dish to use as a fruit bowl.
The H.Art sites were easy to find, with bright sign posts, but they do tend to close at 5pm. So we just had time to visit an African textile and fair trade place before 5, and then we found some stay open until six, so we got to visit Blue Ginger, over the border in Worcestershire as well, before we began our journey home.
We stayed two nights at The Hopbine which was reasonably OK at a fair price, and well placed to explore the county and the city.
We started off in the city centre, where many crafts folk had stalls, so that we could see lots of stuff without walking too far, and I bought some cuff links. After that Ann had to visit the galleries on her own, as I got waylaid by a visit to Hereford Cathedral and the Mappa Mundi In the same display room was John Wyclif's bible that he translated into English, laid open at the Psalms. A remarkable place to visit.
After buying some plums at the covered market, we headed south to Galanthus in Wormbridge, where we saw more alloy jewellery and pottery by Stuart Houghton, who we met last year. The lunch there was excellent, Ann had tomato & basil soup and I had an open sandwich with local bacon and their own award winning blue cheese.
Our next stop was Bailey's Home & Garden, where a family were just leaving with a pair of antlers as we arrived. This was a mixture of art craft homeware and recycling, as well as a cafe with some very delicious apple cake, which we enjoyed in the sunshine on their terrace. Our next visit took us to a farm where we admired the penstemon flowers on the way in, and bought a casserole dish from one of several potters who have studios there. The next visit also had penstemons on the way in, but sadly that was what we enjoyed most there. After that we visited an exhibition of pottery, knitware, paintings garden sculptures, where we were made welcome with tea and cake, and there was a Jazz group playing in the field next to the garden.
We had seen quite a bit by then, so we were very pleased to find a pub with a garden where we could enjoy the late afternoon sunshine, before looking or somewhere to enjoy our evening meal.
Our first stop on Sunday was Hellens Manor. I would like to visit it properly one day, but we were there to see the exhibition by the Guild of Herefordshire Craftsmen, where we saw bags, and furniture, and pottery, and mirrors, and more besides. I bought Ann a jewellery box made by Ken Gilbert. He was not there that day, but his fellow craftspeople obviously held him in high regard.
After a quick stop to look at ribbons, we went onto Ledbury, where once again Ann had to fend for herself, while I got waylaid at the Ledbury Heritage Centre. Tinsmiths in Ledbury is always worth visiting, and we enjoyed an excellent lunch in the cafe at the back of Nice Things.
After lunch we visited the best place of all, which was a family home, with a pottery display in the front garden, garden sculptures in the back garden, silk pictures being demonstrated in the kitchen, and finished pictures and furniture in the front room. Everything was a delight. The silk pictures looked like felt, but finer, and with embroidery that made the trees look quite beautiful. The furniture was beautifully made, and we bought a brightly coloured pottery dish to use as a fruit bowl.
The H.Art sites were easy to find, with bright sign posts, but they do tend to close at 5pm. So we just had time to visit an African textile and fair trade place before 5, and then we found some stay open until six, so we got to visit Blue Ginger, over the border in Worcestershire as well, before we began our journey home.
Saturday, September 05, 2009
Inglourious Basterds
This is a violent film, and there are some scenes I could not bear to watch. I would not have chosen to see it, but David wanted me to go with him as he saw it a second time.
I was very impressed. I enjoyed it from the first scene. There was the rolling French countryside, and an unwelcome visit from German soldiers to an isolated farm. The tension between the family, polite respectful, but wary, and the German officer, full of charm but observant, was wonderfully portrayed.
The group of American soldiers, which gives the film its name, also gave the most gruesome scenes, but the best part of the story lay elsewhere. A German war hero, an English officer, a German actress, and a Jewish cinema owner had the most engaging parts of the story, and also gave what I think were the best performances. (Sorry Brad).
Look elsewhere for historical accuracy. You will not find that here. But it was a cracking yarn, well presented.
I was very impressed. I enjoyed it from the first scene. There was the rolling French countryside, and an unwelcome visit from German soldiers to an isolated farm. The tension between the family, polite respectful, but wary, and the German officer, full of charm but observant, was wonderfully portrayed.
The group of American soldiers, which gives the film its name, also gave the most gruesome scenes, but the best part of the story lay elsewhere. A German war hero, an English officer, a German actress, and a Jewish cinema owner had the most engaging parts of the story, and also gave what I think were the best performances. (Sorry Brad).
Look elsewhere for historical accuracy. You will not find that here. But it was a cracking yarn, well presented.
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