Sailing home in 5 hours with a 25 kt following breeze

The spinnaker uphaul came loose and tangled itself around the topping lift and backstay but the ingenious pair with 2 gaffer taped boat hooks managed to get it down with out need for anyone to go aloft.

Eating , drinking and sleeping .

A well earned dinner

The Queenscliff Weekend

The Latitude Race was cancelled due to the accurate forecast of aweful weather but having stowed provisions those hardy members of the crew bravely set out in surprisingly sunny and favourable winds at 1500 hrs on Friday. Dovie, Dick, Mel , Els , Sue and Bryan then found themselves in a maelstrom with rain, 20-30kts on the nose. The West Channel came into sight after about 3 hours of unpleasantness and fortunately the wind died off and the sun came out making entry to the cut and tying up at QCYC much easier.

WISC UPDATE

After a stupendous effort by Paul to keep us focussed on the race in the light and at times non existant airs we ended up in the right place at the right time. We scored a third which has put us at the top of the ladder. Quote of the race awas from Paul..."Were doing well , we're still moving " when in fact the boat was doing a big circle on the spot! Handicap will go up so that a bit of breze next race will be welcome and hopefully we can fly the kite.

The Latitude race crew is Drummonds, Doves, Dick, Els, Mel and Jenny so no racing Saturday the 22nd. The boat will be out the heads , weather permitting.

The cruising group met last Friday to discuss a cruise in company in March. The dates decided upon were March 14th -28th and the destination was the Tamar ie across the paddock. Sadly we can only take 6 in all across Bass Strait. Once in the Tamar though we could add to the crew as flights to Launceston are quite cheap and I'm sure there must be local buses from Launceston to places like Beauty Point or George town. Another possibility is for someone to come over with a car on the ferry and drive from Devonport... 1 hour or less. Let me know if your interested. It will involve and overnight passage and watchkeeping etc and there is always the possibility that the departure delayed as we will not set off if there is any doubt about the weather. That is in either direction!

Fair weather Sue