Well as no one else has followed up I thought perhaps we should report on the weekends events.

Eight boats turned up on the Saturday to a pretty dark and overcast sky and wind strengths above those predicted. So much so that the offer of a sail before lunch was pretty much talked about rather than acted upon. Lunch duely served and then John P on his way back from a day sightseeing with his family in London gave an excellent 1 1/2 hour lecture and follow up discussion on race tactics ( which most of us admit is not our strongest suite). Thanks John for your excellent talk and for offering your time freely as you always do.

Drysuites on and then onto the water for some short races with the intent to pair off on each windward leg to practice the briefing points John had raised earlier. Sadly the wind was well into the early 20's at this point and any hope of race training was finally lost when the rescue boat which was acting as the start, had to attend a number of capsizes which ultimately ended up with an 18ft Skiff tearing its main sail at the umpteenth capsize.

Being entrepid souls racing continued of course (or as in my case survival with attempts to go around the course)until one by one we returned to the shore to pack up for the day apart from Paul and Anne and Jeff who were quiet dissapointed that there was nobody left to play with. Now having looked at the clubs weather station and finding gusts up to 35knots I guess we could be excused for being whimps.

Sunday came with very little wind but never the less still 7 boats and one Tornado on the water, 2 races in lowish winds, a surprise winner, a protest from another fleet at our behavour, but in general a good time was had by all. Thanks Dave and Nigel for organising it all and putting up accomadation etc.