The 12 boat fleet with 3 Merlins got off to a great start with Jack floundering out of position in last place. The safety boat went round him 4 or 5 times to make sure he was okay, but it seems he was fine, so the £5 i was paid to do so was wasted, as he progressed through the fleet like a knife through butter to round at Crabtree the 2nd time in 1st. Pursued by Thomas Stolper, Matt Brien, Martin Wolney,  Rchard  and Maury, in no particular order.

The breeze picked up and the beat back to just north of the football club was nip and tuck, with interference being run by SBSC boats.

We had around 20 boats on the one beat, which was great to see, …. from the safety boat.

The Italian newbies took a decision to slow up by filling their boat with water, which was deemed not an advantage, in fantastic conditions.

Nick and Victor honourable to the last contested a shortened course and only they know who won.

Pietro decided the exclusion zone wasn’t meant for him and got a ticking off from the guard boat… Please note EXLUSION ZONE…..

Xavier, another new member, wondered where everyone had gone but sailed on into the dusk. The tide waits for no man, or woman or …. you know what I mean, and with new knowledge of where not to go, arrived back at base not too far behind for a first timer.

Fulham FC were playing at home and had a joyless crowd watching… sorry a crowdless joy… footballs back.

See you all tomorrow after which  Fran will be writing this drivel.

Brian