The Pierhead, Barry Docks, Vale of Glamorgan, CF63 5QS
Tel: (01446) 735511, www.barryyachtclub.co.uk
Barry Yacht Club
Promoting Affordable Sailing for All
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CRUISING NEWS
The 2007 Sailing Season
It goes without saying -
In June I set off in our yacht Cariad with Peter Booker bound, for Falmouth. Ten miles west of Barry we hit bad weather and strong head winds, so we donned our winter ear and pressed on, was it November or June?
Progress was slow but we managed to make Lundy Island by nightfall and anchored. Peter cooked us a great meal and we turned into our bunks the wind and rain whistling overhead. As things were so enjoyable listening to the wind and rain from our bunks we weighted anchor at 0430hrs and carried on westward. Some hours later we reciprocated courses with Dawn Star who was headed up channel, then the final blow! The weather forecast was for very strong winds to gale force, so we decided to inspect the bar at the Custom House in Padstow. Next day northerly force 9 winds blew and the yacht Corisande from Cardiff was in trouble off Trevose Head; two people were lifted off by helicopter and the boat was saved by the RNLI.
The yacht Fly from Portishead was not so lucky and ended up on the rocks in the Padstow Estuary, thought the owner was saved by helicopter and taken to hospital. Nothing moved out of Padstow harbour for a week and the rain never stopped!
However as sailors we are forever optimistic and must look to the future and the remaining year’s sailing opportunities.
I have just returned from an enjoyable short cruise anchoring in various places along the Gower. I am now looking forward to future occasions this year in our yacht Cariad. There are some cruises in company still planned for us by Roger, they are good fun to support and particularly the Bristol weekend on 9th of November that has proved to be very popular in past years....so don’t give up yet.
Freddie Batten
Vice Commodore
