Rutland Water Rally, 18-20 May, 2012

Purple, Saturday, Green Sunday; 21.8nm; Season's total: 93.0  Top speed 6.3knots.

This article, still in development, is an account of the Drascombe Association rally at Rutland Water, held on the weekend of 18-20 May, 2012.
Last weekend, Saturday 12th May, I collected Daisy II at 'silly hours' am, HW, at Pin Mill with the purpose of attending the Rutland Rally organised for 18-20 May, 2012.
The rally was a huge success with 11 participating boats, and a number of other boats which came along to join in at some stage.
The official participating boats were:
Drifter: Damson
Coasters: Daisy II, Sapphire 2
Luggers: Jimbo, Pelican, Piper, Tango
Dabbers: Ceol na Mara, Dottie, Freda, Karra.
The track, above, shows Daisy II's progress over the weekend.  On Sunday, green track, I did my best to colour in Whitwell Creek whilst waiting for the others to come out and play!  We then had a pleasant reach in each direction sailing along the Northern arm of the reservoir.   On the previous day, purple track, we followed the port shoreline around this reservoir, the largest man-made reservoir, by area, in the UK  (apparently, Kielder Water has a greater volume of water).  On both days, we experienced very pleasant F3 winds from the north, or north-east.  However, it was undoubtedly cold - far too cold for May...  This did not diminish the pleasure experienced by all participants, sailing in company in this wonderful environment.

Daisy II 

Daisy II, Whitwell Creek

Daisy II, Whitwell Creek

Daisy II approaching Rutland Water Sports

Lugger Jimbo

Dabbers Karra and Dottie

Dabber Ceol na Mara

A happy family of  Dabberers

Lugger Piper

Dabbers dabble together

Lugger Pelican with Dabber Karra in foreground

It's a race...Drascombes versus.... whatever those white things are...!

Dabber Dottie and Lugger Pelican

Dabber action!

Drifter Damson

Lugger Tango and Drifter Damson

Dabber Freda

Nine of the fleet

Saturday barbecue

Sadly, all good things must come to an end...!