I happened upon these pictures of my late stepfather in his Drascombe lugger, Alouette, returning to his mooring in Minehead harbour, with my late Grandfather as crew.
My guess is that these pictures were taken in the early 1980s. Prior to this, he owned a Dell Quay Fisherboat followed by a Dory. After the Lugger, he went into inland river cruisers. Whilst the Fisherboat, with its fabulous Saab diesel, was a wonderful boat, the Lugger was easily my favourite. She had a dark blue hull with red and white boot stripe. Dad always cared well for his boats and this one was in fantastic condition. I wonder what became of her - he'd certainly sold her by the time I went to university in 1984.
Dad was at the helm. As it happens, my Grandfather's birthday would have been today, 13th January 1914. Both gentlemen were founder members of Minehead Sailing Club. These pictures would have been taken from the end of the harbour wall, as they returned to port.
Without any doubt, it was the wonderful experiences I had sailing this boat which lured me into Drascombing.
Earlier this year, the Drascombe community lost a stalwart member to the ravages of time. Douglas Hopwood was a huge inspiration to all of us. Several of his close friends collaborated over a book in tribute to this wonderful man who will be sorely missed. It's a wonderful book, a great advert for Drascombing and splendid tribute to a great adventurer.
October half term ought to have been a great opportunity for a cruise. As is often the case, strong winds and a heavy seasonal cold had other ideas. There was a bonus, though, in the form of a quick trip over to Harwich - the close season is just about the only time one can guarantee access at Halfpenny Pier.
10.2nm
The next day was hauling out day. Conditions were perfect and the tide ought easily to have been high enough to use the short public slipway at Pin Mill. The tables suggested we were in for one of the highest Spring tides of the year but, although I had no real difficulty, the 'creeping tide' did not scale the expected heights, just lapping at the bottom of the trailer wheels at the expected HW time.
Locals dining in the Butt and Oyster were treated to a Drascombe double as Philip, owner of lugger Truant, was also hauling out
So, that will most probably be it for this year. November is looking stupidly busy and any spare time will be given over to the various jobs that need doing. The annual log record hasn't been broken but then the overall plan is shifting towards cruises and rallies, away from day sailing. Next season and beyond are already being planned for and, with any luck, Daisy II should expect to venture further afield than ever before.
Double reefed main with part-furled jib and full mizzen. F4 gusting 5 along the River Stour. Up to 6 knots achieved against the last hour of the flood tide.
Last week, there was a plan. This week was just a 'suck it and see' sail although, in outline, it turned out to be much the same sail as last week, four hours later in the day. However, as any sailor knows, conditions never quite make any trips the same.
21.7nm
Today, winds were from the north, F4 with some stronger gusts. It made sense to head back to the Stour and enjoy reaching both ways. The sailing was terrific, as can be seen from the photograph heading this blog entry. On the way up the Stour, single reefed main with a few rolls in the jib necessitated a good deal of wind spillage as the stronger gusts came over. Following a lunchtime anchorage in the lea of the north shore, just beyond Holbrook Bay, I decided to put a further reef in the main, setting the mizzen instead. This resulted in a much better balance on the return trip and speeds well in excess of five knots against the last hour of the flood and much less heeling over in the gusts.
I had a go at tacking back into the Orwell against the tide but, along with all the other boats around, furled the sails and resorted to the engine. Sometimes, it's just not worth the hassle!
Motoring up the Orwell
As a result, upon returning to Pin Mill, most sails had been safely stowed and there was even time to hoist a few plastic bags for fending off the local feathered wildlife whilst the boat is kept on the mooring. Many thanks to a local Drascombe owner for the following pictures!
Returning to Pin Mill, sails already stowed and plastic 'bird-deterrents' already in place!
As is often the case, the linked video footage only shows the 'calmer' parts of the sail since this was often one of those days where concentration was key and it was definitely important to hang on as those gusts pushed their way across the estuary.
So, it is hoped that the half term break, the week after next, will yield mild conditions suitable for cruising if only to push the season's log, currently 679 nautical miles, a further 57 miles or so. That would, indeed, be a great way to end the season. Two years ago, during the same week, Storm 'St Jude' had other ideas...
This is a log of sailing activities aboard Daisy II, a 22ft Drascombe Coaster No.280. Formerly named Aquarius, she was built in July 1997 by Honnor Marine(UK) Ltd of Totnes, Devon. The original Daisy, a Devon Lugger, was purchased in 2005 following an unexpectedly early opportunity to realise a mid-life crisis! Daisy II, with cabin, afforded more scope for overnight stops, and was purchased at the end of 2006.
For several seasons she was moored at Pin Mill on the River Orwell, Suffolk. More recently, the trailer sailing option, utilising a versatile ‘roller coaster’ road trailer, has extended the sailing range. Over the years, we have sailed from various locations off the south coast from Cornwall to Hampshire, a number of inland reservoirs and the Norfolk Broads. However, her key stamping ground is the east coast, usually based around the Harwich area and reaching destinations ranging from North Kent up to Southwold, whilst also launching on the North Norfolk coast at Wells next the Sea. Most recently, a trip from Harwich to Whitby has served only further to whet the appetite: perhaps, one day, Daisy II might complete her journey, in small stages of course, around the UK!
