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| Weatherscape convoy |
Ten Drascombes gathered for the Oulton Broad to Geldeston Locks rally, September 16-18. The list of participating boats is:
Scaffie:
Honeysuckle Rose
Dabbers:
Dottie,
Teal, and
Baffle
Lugger:
Cutty Stark
Longboat:
Jenny Morgan
Coasters:
Espiritu, Blue Peter, Mudskipper, Daisy II
Blue Peter arrived earlier in the week, launching at Oulton Broad. Five other boats used the same slipway on Friday and were also joined long-term Oulton Broad resident
Jenny Morgan and
Mudskipper which had travelled down from Hickling Broad earlier in the week. Scaffie
Honeysuckle Rose and Lugger
Cutty Stark launched at the Waveney River Centre at Burgh St Peter, where there is a convenient campsite.
On Friday evening, skippers and crew joined together for beer and conversation at the Waveney and Oulton Yacht Club bar, which kindly provided moorings for our first night.
On Saturday, boats departed from Oulton Broad, under guidance from local expert Peter Waller. We made our way to Burgh St Peter for a late morning coffee/early lunch/both! We then sailed further along the Waveney to Beccles.
Daisy II, GPS track shown below, managed to clock up 60 consecutive tacks on this stretch, before an unwelcome squall descended and sails were, eventually, safely stowed, the remainer of the trip being made under motor. Winds for the day were south westerly, F4/5 but with some interesting gusts, particularly as a prelude to the afternoon storm.
At Beccles, boats convened for some general mast lowering in order to negotiate the two road bridges. Dabber
Dottie needed to fetch further fuel supplies.
Daisy II picked up additional crew for the final motor/sail to Geldeston Locks, where we convened for a meal at the wonderful Locks Inn, and moored for the night.
On Sunday, most boats departed at 10am, although
Baffle made an earlier 'getaway'. We motor-sailed in light westerly winds for the return trip.
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| Energy-sapping preparations...on Oulton Broad |
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| Blue Peter on Oulton Broad |
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| Coaster Mudskipper , Oulton Broad |
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| Dabber Baffle |
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| Late morning coffee/lunch/dog-walking at Burgh St Peter |
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| Lowering of masts at Beccles, extra crew alert... |
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| Motoring from Beccles to Geldeston |
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| Baffle's sneaky early-morning departure |
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| Dabber Dottie |
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| Coaster Espiritu |
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| Sunday sailing in light winds |
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| strange vegetation! |
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| Teal |
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| Red track Saturday, yellow from Sunday. 25.2nm; season's total 534.2nm |
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| Detail of a part of the Saturday track up the Waveney, featuring a fantastic beat including 60 tacks, finally ended by an untimely squall... |
