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by Trevor Simpkin |
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NZL 238 |
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"Fly A Way" |
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12
boats made the journey to the lakes for what has now
become an annual event. The forecast was for a mainly
fine weekend with light SW winds on Saturday turning
northerly on Sunday. |
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Saturday
morning and the forecast was spot on. The breeze was
building from SW. Mike Drummond was there rigging Graham
Davey’s Boat ‘Wet nuts’, so this meant Graham would be
our OD with help from Ken ‘Red rat’ Williams . A course
was drawn on the ready for a briefing, when the boys
sailed up from their Pine beach camp site and came
ashore for the briefing everyone had their own idea on
what course to race. However this was sorted out and we
had 3 short races before lunch. The C grade boats were
given a 2 minute head start so this meant there was some
close racing and tight finishing. New man Andrew Bogle
sailing ‘Danger zone’ managed to capsize in race 3. Mike
and Alexis sailed back to give him a hand. You see,
there was no petrol in the rescue boat. Graham, who’s
job was it to check the fuel tank? Anyway time for lunch
and we all came in for sausages in bread, a cold
beverage and banana cake (made by my lovely wife Fleur).
By now the sky had become overcast and had cooled down
as the wind swung to the south a few felt it would be a
good time for a ‘nana nap’ but I went sailing anyway. |
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The
course was changed for the afternoon races, so of, we
went just as it started to rain. The wind picked up to a
handy 10 to 12 knots as the small front came through.
Unfortunately this did not last long and it was back to
a light shifty breeze. But it was now cold (for us
northern types) |
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Half
way through race 7 a diamond wire failed on Mikes rig,
putting an end to his day. An over night repair had him
sailing again the next day. By now the wind was starting
to fail. We had had 8 good races and it was a good time
to knock of for the day. Steve thanked Fleur for making
the cake, then quietly suggested a carrot cake would be
nice tomorrow, Alexis joined in saying he’d liked
chocolate cake. Fleur, not wanting to see grown men beg
quickly agreed to make them. |
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So
of we went home .A quick stop at the supermarket for
cooking supplies. Fleur is straight into the kitchen,
mixing bowls banging, flour over the bench. Want about
my dinner I ask? I’m busy making cake is the reply. Oh
well a chance to rest my bones while I wait. |
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Sunday
morning and I’m up early to move the cows, the fog is so
thick I can’t even find them all. I can hear them, so
must be alright. The trip to the lake was slow as the
fog did not lift until 10km from the lakes. However it
turned out to be a warm sunny autumn day. The breeze was
in the east swinging to the north. We got 4 races in
before the wind died away. Mike made the most of the
light with 4 from 4.I hear that Mike was so impressed
with Grahams boat, he brought it. He was so keen he went
home on Sunday, had a tow bar fitted to his car on
Monday, and headed north early Tuesday to grab Graham’s
‘Wet nuts’. The boat that is. You people have
grubby minds. |
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Hard
luck story must go to Brent in race 10. He got a flying
start and led all the way until with in sight of the
finish, sailed into a hole and parked, while everyone
went round him, bad luck Brent. We finished the weekend
with a prize giving and had carrot and chocolate cake,
very nice. |
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See you next time |