Exactly six weeks to go!
Practice races commence on Thursday 30th July, First Races Friday 31st July, event finishes on Sunday 2nd August.
I hope this is enough warning and I am looking forward to some good weather and enjoyable racing.
The NOR is on the MYC website;

http://www.mumblesyachtclub.co.uk/index.php?menu=events

Only four weeks to go! Time to replace that worn spi halyard? and start thinking about accommodation. I know the owners of a six berth Caravan (2 double beds and 2 singles) 10min walk from the Club House, whilst my back garden can take a couple of tents.

So, who's going?

Wayne, you're still okay to take my boat on top of yours? Ideally with my sailing kit bag... I need to find some foam blocks to use as spacers.

However I can't do the Thursday. I'll be coming out of work around 6ish... Unless I can hitch a ride in someone's car going the same way at the same time my plan is to load my stuff on the bike Thursday morning and just ride to Mumbles after work. I should get there before the pub bells so save me some beer. I'll have an ugly tent I can plop anywhere, I'm open to suggestions where to put it: back garden at Mark's sound good, or a camping nearby.

The big advantage for you is that my boat is likely going to be there before me, so you'll have plenty of opportunities to sabotage it

The following shouldn't have excuses.
1 John Alani (F16 GC Sec)
2 Paul Warrean (UK F16 Association Chair)
3 Simon Longstaff (XXX)
4 Chris Sproat (AHPC Jocky!)
5 Dave Tugwell (with Trophy)
6 Nigel Leming (with Dave!)
7 Nick Moore (Beer)
8 Wayne Richards (nick much more beer)
9 Eric (to show off his new GP Kite)
10 John Terry (The only gentleman amongst us)
11 Western Jeff (XXX)
12 ...........(?)
13 Myself (always unlucky & running out of excuses)

Pepin, Paul or Wayne if you see Dave T at Datchet please remind him that if he can't make the Nationals to arrange to return THE CUP which he won in 2007.

Lack of money precludes me from attending I am afraid....

You have to attend Simon. A sneaky way to do it would be to suggest to the organizer that measurement certificates are mandatory. This would have three effects:

- Make for fair racing. I know for a fact that some people mast and or boats are too light... Probably not enough to really make a difference, but the principle is what counts.
- Makes the presence of the class measurer mandatory
- If you plan your measurement fee carefully enough, it should be enough to pay for your petrol and entry fee

I would also need to find somewhere for the kids as wifee is working....

Sorry, I have to duck out this year.

You're not alone, I contacted Western Jeff yesterday and he broke his wrist jumping from a balcony at a recent wedding. He's was and is plastered!
Will C is burning up the River Blackwater on his Stealth but wont make the Nationals this year, Will use to sail the T with John so it will be good when he can join us. I've also sent Ed an email but haven't had a response.

Jumping.. from.. a.. balcony.. Is this a typical wedding celebration tradition in GB or is there a story to be told here

Good to see you swinging the whip Mark! Dont forget to apply some leg+boot and outright begging as well

3 WEEKS
& counting

Boat in garden receiving some TLC. Looking forward to the event. Will be there sometime on Thursday. May not be in time for the practice race though.

There are three practice races available on Thursday 30th July! So you never know you might be able to make at least one. I have a gut feeling that the courses are a straight forward windward/leeward course with the start finish line roughly half way up the beat and no leeward gate just a mark to be left on Port. However, this will be confirmed in the S.I's. This will be better for us F16 sailors as counting the the number of laps competed has proved to be difficult in the past!

I'm planning an early start but it's a good 5 hours drive. It would be good to get on the water as it will be a couple of months since I last sailed.

Don't worry if you can't make it on the water by the last practise race (approx 14:00hrs start). Even though the safety boats will be back in the boat house by 15:30hrs I'll keep an eye on you from the roof top bar with a pint in one hand and my mobile in the other.... You'll be as safe as houses (honest). Seriously if you do fancy a sail make sure you rig in the boat park closest the pier (behind the car park barrier with the Club Cats) as the slip wont dry out, it will also be far less crowded due to Mumbles Week and the Byte Nationals.

ONE WEEK, this time next Thursday the weather will be perfect for our UK Nationals

Mark,

Any idea if John Pierce will be joining?

Gill

Long range forecast:

- Thursday: I don't give a damn, I won't be there.

- Friday: Southerly wind, from 13 to 17knots with lots of clouds and afternoon rains, around 15°

- Saturday: Westerly wind, 12 to 15, sunny, around 17°

- Sunday: Southerly, 8 to 10, sunny in the morning, getting cloudy in the afternoon with a chance of rain in the evening, around 16°

Take those with a grain of salt, long range forecast are far from perfect. I think I'm going to pack the dry suit, if it's raining it is far more comfortable to stay dry.

Wayne,it's apparently going to drizzle tomorrow evening when we planned to pack the boats. And we are going to miss a good club race, apparently around 12 knots of wind...

Why are we starting so late? I was hoping score some points in the morning races based on the fact that a bunch of you won't be able to get out of bed and the rest will be hungover. A 12:00 start ruins this strategy! Drats!

You are more than welcome to get me hungover!!
I'll be at the Club practically all day and all night on Thursday so you'd better find me if you want the keys to the caravan.