Eastern Area

Representative : John Dinwiddy

jdinwiddyATrya-online.net

to use Change 'AT' to '@' - anti SPAM

Tel: 01485 518136

John sails a Parker 275 from Brancaster Staithe Sailing Club in North Norfolk, and also belongs to Wells Sailing Club in Wells-Next-the-Sea.

The Eastern area covers from Kent to Northumbria, although most members are based in Norfolk Suffolk and Essex, where the shoal draft Parker and Seal yachts really come into their own.

• Launching Dinner March 2008

• 235 Rally at Rutland Water Sept 2007

• Normandy Rally July 2007

• Pre-Launch Dinner April 2007

• Rally at Brightlingsea Sept 2006

Launching Dinner - Seals and Parkers at Royal Norfolk and Suffolk Y C

15 March 2008 

Click here for pictures

The Lowestoft road system was back to normal, and so was the weather. Thick fog shrouded the town, in a cold clammy quilt.

I thought we were running out of ideas, but our visit to the Lifeboat Station at the end of the harbour entrance turned out to be just as good as any. All thanks to Ian Firmin who was the relief coxswain - he managed a dozen yachtsmen whilst squashed in the corner of the lifeboat cabin very well, although we felt sure he had been in much tighter spots before.

Not only did he travel the length and breadth of the British Isles helping out short handed stations, he also had a hand in testing new vessels, and working new procedures out.

We felt quite sorry for his wife being left so much, but as she is on the staff of the Yarmouth Coastguard we decided she knew what it was going to be like! She also decided next year’s visit for us, by telling us all about all their new kit, including AIS systems – now we all want to see how it works from their end.

The evening dinner ran true to form, with excellent food and wine. Bill and Janet Parker must appreciate a good thing, as they joined us for the second year running, along with Clifford Miller; I must say a word of gratitude to these long distance travellers – their loyalty to the association’s  far flung reaches is much appreciated.

Pam and Pat Morgan received their Eastern Area Award from our Commodore for their tenacity in joining the 2007 Rally and meeting up at Fecamp in ‘Phun’; you cannot have forgotten last season’s weather…

A call to vote for next year’s venue brought a resounding “come back here again”, which leaves me with little to worry about.

So, Coastguards in Great Yarmouth followed by dinner at the Royal Norfolk and Suffolk Y C on 28 March? How does that suit you? Plenty of time to change the date!

John Dinwiddy

Eastern Area Officer

PS: Don’t forget the PSSA Rally at Colne Y C, Brightlingsea on 30 August

Parker 235 Rally & Demonstration Weekend At Rutland Water

8/9 Sept 2007

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After six months in the planning, it was time to pack the car on Friday morning. Christine would be home from work for lunch and we would be on our way. Just  the sailing gear to put in the car. Then, catastrophe ! I strained my back lifting it in. Not that it was that heavy, I guess I must have just twisted something. Some pain killers and a season on the floor, no not that sort of season, just laying flat out and an hour later, we were on our way.

We had planned to arrive mid afternoon before any visiting boats, so that we could override the entrance barrier. We have had to replace it once this year, due to it coming down on the unwary, so I did not want it to happen again. 

I have not organised a rally before, actually I have not even been to one, but as a member of both the PSSA and Rutland Sailing Club, it seemed like I should take one step forward and do my bit. Fortunately, I had Bill Parker to share the load.

Both Red Kite and Lady Penelope arrived by road and set about mast raising and rigging. I don’t know how they did it but Lady Penelope was in the water in just over an hour. Most impressed. Three more boats, Thrift, Be Be and Nimrod arrived Friday evening / Saturday morning from the Water Sports Centre at the other end of the lake. These were joined by three already at the Club, Morvoran, Last Orders and ourselves, Blue Jazz. Seeing all these boats together on the pontoon was quite a sight. It was the first time ever, that there had been such a gathering of 235 boats and their owners. I had never imagined that within three years of taking our new boat to Rutland Sailing Club, there would be so many more. Perhaps it is the ideal location for trailer sailors, great facilities, beautiful location, plenty of water and no tides to restrict the Sunday jaunt.

The welcome briefing on Saturday morning outlined the programme and the action started at 13.00 hrs with a cruise in company around a set course. Six of the boats joined in and it soon developed into a good spirited competitive race. The sun did not shine, but the wind was near perfect, so although the photos have grey skies, there were plenty of smiling faces. Fortunately, my good friend David, helmed Blue Jazz, which allowed us to participate without further strain on my sore back. Once round the course took about two hours, so by about 15.30 hrs we were taking afternoon tea on the terrace.

Still talking about this new phenomenon of being part of a flotilla of 235 boats, Saturday evening saw about forty people attend the evening buffet in the Club, kindly sponsored by Parker Lift Keel Yachts. As well as the attending crews, members of the manufacturing team from Parkers also joined in, along with other crews without boats and prospective owners alike. It was a very convivial evening and allowed the exchange of many ideas and exploits. I managed to stand up long enough to welcome everyone and conveyed a message from our Commodore Clifford Miller, who was previously scheduled to attend one of two other PSSA functions this weekend. Bill added his welcome and introduced the attending members of his team. We all retired to our bunks contented and looking forward to the promise of more good weather the next day. 

After breakfast on the terrace over looking the water and a short briefing, we were all aboard for the ‘Kettle Club’ race.  Well, I say race, there are no rules -  well only two.  The first being that only the leading boat needs to keep to the set course, the others can shortcut and catch up, and the other rule, well it’s in the name, somewhere around the course you have to have a cup of tea!  It’s a good way to keep all the different types of boats and skills levels together, to enjoy the fun of sailing in company.

Then in the afternoon, for those with a more serious competitive spirit, it was the last in the ‘Race-Intro’ series of races.  These have been held over the season to promote racing for 235’s and were joined by several visiting boats.  Some keen racing was enjoyed.  The series winner was Nick Bett, who was presented with the ‘Parker 235 Trophy’ by Bill, who had kindly donated it. 

Mid way through the race, we were surprised by the RAF, who gave a very low level ‘fly past’ by the only remaining Second World War Lancaster bomber.  So low, in fact, that you could see the pilot, complete with handlebar moustache and sticky-out scarf.  How Bill organised that I don’t know!  Mind you, the day before we were buzzed by a Red Arrow, complete with red vapour trail.  I think it must be something to do with all the airfields around here.

The weekend drew to a close, everyone having enjoyed themselves.  The weather had been kind, the sailing great fun, the company convivial and new friends made.  And my back?  Well it held together enough to allow me also to enjoy the weekend, thanks to Christine’s support, literally.  What started with a disaster had ended up a success, what a relief. 

To all those who worked to create this weekend, please accept our thanks.

Graham Ebb

Parker 235 no 25 'Blue Jazz'

Normandy July 2007

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How did I get into this…

I mentioned in passing to our esteemed Commodore that we were hoping to get to Normandy this year. A tentative aspiration, as I was not too happy about crossing the Thames Estuary, with its Swatchways and Ships – not the little ones that Maurice Griffiths wrote about, but the huge monsters doing 12 to 20 knots.

Before I knew what had happened, it became an official PSSA rally !

You may remember that July’s weather was particularly awful. And against the background of synoptic charts looking like a hyperactive three-year old’s scribbles, we started with a Cruiser fleet party at Brancaster Staithe out on the drying sands. Draughty and drizzling, we still mustered a cheerful crowd of 16 on board ‘Liberty’.

Down the East Coast

Then on, we dodged the gales to get down to the Orwell, meeting up with Paul and Sheila Ashford, ‘Dawnchild’s owners, at Lowestoft’s Royal Norfolk and Suffolk Y C for dinner on the way.

We were not optimistic that we were going much further, and cruised the Orwell and Stour, meeting my wife Chloe for her Significant Birthday party on board at Shotley.

Next day we took the boat to Harwich to have a gentle stroll around the revived historic centre. No chance; the surging swell was crashing the boats around uncontrollably. We got Chloe to shore and she returned to Shotley by the ferry.

As we made a dash for the river Blackwater, an SMS came through that Pat and Pam Morgan on ‘Phun’ were already at Ramsgate. This called for a Plan Review, and the crew agreed we try to catch them up.

We winkled our way across the Thames Estuary, and having missed the tidal gate round the North Foreland anchored close to Reculver Towers. It seemed OK, but the swell built up to make it the most noisy and uncomfortable night for many a year.

Pity the poor sailors who used to anchor in the Margate Roads for weeks waiting for a fair wind!

With relief we weighed anchor and slipped round the corner next morning to Ramsgate to recover, and shop, and after the hailstorm made Dover for a quieter night.

Channel Crossing

From Dover to Boulogne was not as bad as we feared, despite Roger having a terrible migraine. Our new AIS helped to take away much of the grief (more of that next issue, with luck). France at last. With sun, too.

France

Boulogne required some careful study on the gastronomic front: Roger and Brian were rather like children let loose in Hamley’s for the first time, with an open air market in the square loaded with cheeses, fruit and veg, and all sorts of home grown delicacies. Then we had to ensure that such establishments as the “Pecheurs D’Etaples” were still serving food up to standard.

Brian, our much valued chef, had to go home on an emergency at this point, much to his chagrin – and ours; he is the only person I know who will pop his head out of the cabin in a churning sea as you bat along at 45 degrees to say “Now, who fancies a bacon sarnie?”!

This left Roger and I to take ‘Liberty’ to Dieppe – quite the worst part of the trip, with an unrelenting rough sea on the nose, and southwesterly to match.  We had to make do with Le Treport, which we knew from our bleak January recce was gong to be our least favourite port.

Oh well, any Treport in a storm…

Spoilt for choice when we finally made Dieppe, we made for “Le New Haven” after the odd glass of Leffe – worth a visit for fish lovers.  

We breakfasted off Mackeral, courtesy of our neighbour, Patrick Fabrice, who had been out fishing the day before.

The Fecamp Meeting

Finally we caught up with ‘Phun’ in Fecamp, arriving to our surprise as planned. Pat and Pam entertained us that evening and we sat out to watch the impressive Bastille Day fireworks display.

After a late night we strolled gently into town to see round the Benedictine Palace, which has only tenuous links with any monks. It is a glorious Victorian edifice to which Augustus Pugin would have been proud to have put his name. Well worth a visit for the gloriously over decorated architecture, the art collections and of course a drop of the liqueur.

At lunchtime we gathered for the Association lunch at “le Maritime” on the cool first floor out of the brilliant hot sun. We toasted the Association and its absent Commodore, who was paying for the drinks (ah… didn’t we tell you, Clifford?).

By the way, the Pilot refers to one of the last traditional ‘pissoirs’ here. I never found it; if you do, please tell the publishers.

The French Tidal Harbours

We moved on to St Valery-en-Caux (do not confuse the two St Valery’s!) which is a pretty seaside resort, and it rained- and rained – and rained. Like Noah, we were glad we had our own Ark. By next morning a smart 50 ft Beneteau had cramped our exit. When I went up on the quay to work out our exit past it and an 8 ft bowsprit next to us I could not help but notice the shapely young lady sunbathing topless on the deck of the Beneteau. Having worked out how we could drop back on the bow mooring line, I noticed she had turned over…not shy, surely! We succeeded in our manoeuvre, and enjoyed an easy trip back to Dieppe.

Our next ports of call were in the Somme estuary, which needs careful handling. It is well marked, but the tortuous channel is seven miles from entrance to St Valery-sur-Somme.

We first went into Le Crotoy, another family resort with rather cock-eyed  marina arrangements, due to an elusive harbourmaster. You could not get out or in without a key, and only he could provide it. However, it was a friendly little place.

The other feature was the sluices which open up on the ebb, and gush out water to help keep the channel open, with such force that the brown foam reaches to the gunnels of the inside boats. That’s why they put visitors at the far end!

We then moved across to St Valery-sur-Somme. With strong northeasterlies (would you believe it) we had another day in port, and settled to domestic matters – laundry, supermarket, work on the boat. An attractive old town, but swamped by tourists, and very few ‘real’ shops.

Off at crack of dawn to make a swift exit before the high tide ebbed away, we met a turmoil of waves at the Somme entrance as the swift current met the onshore wind. One unexpected lurch and we had the Great Muesli Disaster all over the cabin. Thank heaven it wasn’t bacon and eggs.

Southwesterlies propelled us at speed through a quartering sea past Etaples; we were sorry to have to miss it, but time was getting a little short for a diversion which would have taken an extra two days in and out of the Canche.

The Return

And so back to Boulogne, where Brian rejoined us, after much difficulty with erratic weekend French transport. Roger was greatly relieved too be able to return the ‘chef’s ladle’ to him.

We celebrated his return at “Le Doyen” a delightful, if cosy, restaurant off the market place, and to prepare us for the return crossing and give Brian a fair share of French food, lunched at the “Pecheurs D’Etaples” again.

Off at 5.30 am then a swift but exhausting crossing – due to the busy shipping and ferry traffic – and we made Ramsgate before lunch. We finished one of Roger’s memorable Cassoulets and met up with Cliff Hocking on ‘Pelican. He was returning solo from Dunkirk, making for Benfleet.

Another rubbish forecast, so we stayed in Ramsgate next day, visiting the Maritime Museum, and dining at The Indian Restaurant just below the Royal Temple Y C where we sat on the terrace for quiet drink. The restaurant is one of the best of its kind.

The forecasts were not getting any better, but with southwesterlies for a day we made a dash around North Foreland for Harwich – except half way there I suggested we carried on to Lowestoft. The wind was gusting up to force 7 by the time we got in, making steering very hard, but at least it was on the stern.

Then we had a day of winds gusting 43 knots. We stayed put, once more.

On the home ‘straight’ – actually a 60 mile long curve round to Brancaster, we always expect difficulty; we were not disappointed. As usual, the wind around Cromer was dead on the nose and we struggled against the short sea with the tide now against us. By Wells-next the-Sea we knew we would not make it home, so invited Chloe over for fish and chips from “French’s” – and would she mind taking some of our kit home.

Next day was a similar thrash to windward for the 12 miles back home. It took nearly three hours to get to our mooring.

In all a very satisfying cruise, juggling weather, wind and tide to get a long way despite unpromising forecasts without being foolhardy.

Saying of the year

“Yacht calling Cromer and Sheringham Harbours, this is Yarmouth Coastguard. There is no Cromer or Sheringham Harbour, your nearest Harbour is Wells-next-the Sea”

The Plan and The Reality

John Dinwiddy

Launching Dinner - Seals and Parkers at Royal Norfolk and Suffolk Y C

 April 2007 

Click here for pictures

I realised, as I sipped my port after an excellent dinner on March17, that I have visited this gracious establishment for five years with Parker and Seal owners. It is a four hour round trip for me –although many come further - and I still enjoy it immensely.

Why? Well, it kicks of the sailing season, before the chaos really sets in. The Clubhouse is looking not only historic, but smart after its makeover, yet still has that quirky character of an old pub which hasn’t gone through the hands of a large brewer.

The staff are as friendly and helpful as ever, and the one old grump has now retired.

The only real challenge was the Lowestoft road system; ‘they’ keep on ‘improving’ it. Net result was total chaos as they rushed to finish carving up the town for Easter.

This delayed our arrival at the Time and Tide museum in Great Yarmouth so we did not do it justice. It is truly one of the best, and staff who are bursting with pride over their successes. Recreated street scenes, fishing history, fish and fishing minutiae – including the original smoke smells (the building is an old smokery), and detail of all the old trades surrounding the fishing boat industry.

In fact, if you keep your ticket, we can go back next year, see what we missed and you will get in half-price!

After our visit we returned to the Club, and were joined for dinner by the Club’s Commodore Nick Faulkner and his wife Antoinette – old friends of Bill and Janet Parker who made the great trek from Boston to join us.

Clifford Miller and Don and Brenda Harvey also made long journeys to wave the Association’s flag – thankyou for that.

So, despite threats to find somewhere else closer to the Orwell, I plan to return next March, if only to give those who missed out a chance to sample the delights of the Easternmost town in UK.

Come and join us next year.

John Dinwiddy

Eastern Seals – Rally at Brightlingsea 2-3 Sept 2006

With the erratic forecasts which never seemed to match up with reality, we decided to get Liberty down to the River Colne in plenty of time for the rally on 2nd September. In the event we had a couple of days in hand to look around the Backwater, and appreciate what a delightful cruising area it was, before making our way back to Brightlingsea.

Saturday morning saw five boats on the pontoon – Liberty, Slide Rule, Harnser 3, Sandack and later on Whisper. With a grim forecast we expected no more, and warned the manager at the Colne Yacht Club that we might be down on numbers.

Quietly panicking, we wondered just how many would turn up for dinner – perhaps thirty? Pindara had to cancel, as her crew were up the Stour and no way of getting ashore at low tide. Then, a couple more calls saying sailing was out of the question, and coming by car was the only option.

To our surprise, two boats crawled in through the flying spray - Crystal on a very fast run from Burnham, and Uncle Ronnie after a real thrash against the wind from Titchmarsh. The dedication of the Silcox family in beating a way to the dinner through thick and thin was applauded later that day.

With seven boats in, out of fifteen booked in, panic remained unabated, but we had a drinks party on Liberty for those who had arrived, and made our way by water taxi to the Yacht Club.

All was well – the reliable members of the association all arrived and some forty sat down to an excellent dinner with choices of roast beef, Suffolk ham and Norfolk turkey  followed by excellent desserts provided by their manager, Douggie Kiddle.

After dinner John Dinwiddy presented Bob and Ann Bartlett with the Eastern Area Award for all their help in making last year’s rally at the Royal Harwich such a success. He passed on greetings from our commodore, Clifford Miller, who was enjoying similar weather at the Seals’ (not the) Round The Island Race.

He then reminded the company that there would be an equally lavish dinner at Lowestoft next year at the Royal Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club on 17 March, and a gathering in Bournemouth for the AGM on 2 to 4 February.

Grateful thanks to all those who made the effort to get there - by sea or land. It proved well worth it.

John Dinwiddy