The touring troupe of Wayfarers and their owners have just returned from Poole after (nearly) seven days of sailing. This time it was four boats each with a crew of three who swapped around each day. For added safety each boat also had an OB motor available.

The confinement of the whole day spent in a Wayfarer was compensated for after sailing as our accommodation was four luxury caravans at Rockley Park. Our many visits to Poole over the years made us very familiar with caravan luxury. The trip also enabled us to meet up with old friends; namely John Ballinger and John Lintern, both ex CVLSC members, as well as an EX Commodore of Chew, Peggy Taylor.

A brief rundown of our exploits is as follows.

Monday the 16th; after rigging our boats and having a light lunch it was a quick trip around Brownsea Island in very enjoyable sailing conditions.

Tuesday; we cruised to Wareham up the River Frome. Near Ridge we met up with Mike Meloy, our Vice President, who was busy working on his yacht. Mike, along with his crew member Terry Shepherd, invited all twelve of us aboard for lunch and coffee. However no alcohol was forthcoming, and so we then sailed on to Wareham Quay where we enjoyed a pint at the local.

Wednesday; John Ballinger invited us all for a sail on his Showtime 35ft Southerly. I declined John’s kind offer as I had an appointment with Peggy Taylor, our only female Commodore, at her home in Canford Cliffs where we exchanged wonderful memories.

That evening John and Pat Ballinger invited us to their home for a fish and chip supper at which John Lintern was also able to attend. I have to say that both Johns still remain the same loud, jovial characters and larger than life.

 Thursday; sailed around all the islands in Poole in an anti-clockwise direction before heading out passed the chain ferry and arriving on Studland Beach for lunch; later visiting the local Bankes Arms Hotel for a beer.

As was the case for most evenings, that evening we were again well and truly fed and watered at the Yacht Club. And here it is worth pointing out that Poole Yacht Club has one of the finest and friendliest Clubhouses we have ever visited; if you have not been there do go as you will receive a warm welcome as visitors.  

Friday; it was off to Mudeford, but we did have to motor hard to get out of Poole entrance due to a very heavy flood tide; then it was an easterly spinnaker sail in spring sunshine; it was however one of the hardest and longest spinnaker runs I have done for a long time. When we arrived we were met with a very heavy ebbing tide through The Run, and so again it was a case of using engines.

We went ashore by the sailing Club and picnicked outside the Public House – a strange choice? No, not really.

It was a very hard tack all the way back to Poole and our maps man (David Hopkins) using a piece of string and an OS map, estimated our sailing distance that day to be about 46 miles. The exhaustion shown on our faces supported David’s claim - we were shattered as we recovered our boats to the hard standing.

Saturday; Swanage was our destination and it was another hard tack all the way there. We beached at around midday close to the Pier and the Sailing Club. Following lunch on the beach we headed for the Sailing Club for our daily medicine.

The hard tack of the morning was made up for on the journey back to Poole as it was a spinnaker run all the way but, yet again, it was another heavy sail under spinnaker. We did get mixed up with the Parkstone Sailing fleet in the harbour but we soon sorted them out. Dinner that night was taken at the Red Lion Pub at Hamworthy.

Sunday; and it was gale force winds, the only things moving in the harbour were the white horses and half a dozen windsurfers out “flying”. Thus the weeks sailing had to end a day early.

As a footnote to this report I have decided that, at the grand age of 83, this is my last away trip. And that’s after 35 years of touring the UK with a Wayfarer and being a part of the Cruising Club, Wednesday Club, Old Farts Club, or whatever one wants to call us. Scotland, Wales, the West and South Coasts have been some of my sailing centres- thank you guys, you are all great. 

I have found it so wonderful to be able to sail with my pals and, of late, some of their wives.

The gang’s next trip (without me) is to Falmouth the week of the 18th to 25th of June.

Peter Cheek W 10438