Guide to The Lake District

 

Anyone coming up to the Lake District would find this guide very useful. It is very different from the usual small format Cicerone guide. This is hard backed and A4 size, the drawings and information are very similar to Wainwright's original guides. The book is part coffee table and part guide book and certainly a source of inspiration. However, it does seem currently out of print but can be found on line from S/H dealers.

 

The Amazon River

 

As you head south on Coniston and pass Peel Island you will arrive at Nibthwaite. From here the River Crake continues to flow and further 8km south and onto where is enters the sea at Greenodd. In Swallows and Amazons this is also the real location of the River Amazon and Octopus Lagoon. It is easy to explore in a canoe or small boat.

 

The link below will take you further and show the course of the river to Allan Tarn. It might be possible to complete this trip in a Dabber when the level of the lake is high but not recommend in a larger boat. Judge for yourself.

 

http://www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?42029-An-Evening-On-Coniston-And-The-Crake

 

The Winkle Brigg is owned by another club member, it has all the style and design of a much larger boat but is produced in a smaller package.

 

http://www.winklebrig.org/

Coniston Rally - 1 to 3 July

 

The weather forecast did not look great for the weekend and certainly the conditions on Saturday provided all those who went out with a "sporting" sail. Although some boats tried a mainsail, these were soon put away, leaving jib and mizzen the standard rig for the day. However, by early afternoon the wind gusts continued to rise and everyone returned to the club before the really heavy rain arrived.

 

Although the rain did not totally stop for the evening BBQ, it did ease enough for everyone to sit outside and show a resilient attitude.

Sunday dawned with much lighter winds and even a touch of sunshine, which meant everyone could get out, either sailing down for lunch at Brown Howe, or landing on Peel Island. Alan produced a Lancashire Hot Pot, which he cooked in a plastic bag just by adding cold water, true magic! There was also a treasure hunt, looking for anagrams of famous nautical people.



Sea Anchor - A smaller version

I sold the previous one on ebay and bought the next size down, which seems far more manageable. This size is aimed at boats up to 20 feet, while the other was for boats up to 25 feet - but I think the designer was thinking of a yacht/fishing boat, rather than a light weight boat, such as a Drascombe. The test will come when I try and use it on a windy day.

 

The wind did pick up later.

Mizzen Mast Step

Over time the mast step for the mizzen wears, in extreme cases all the way through. The continual movement of the mizzen mast will slowly wear through the GRP, this must be a particular problem for a boat which is kept on a mooring. Even the mast support will contribute this erosion, as the boat is trailed.

To prevent this becoming a problem I decided to clean the socket and then add a small amount of resin and tissue. Finally a used a thin piece of polypropylene to prevent wear of the actual GRP. This was held in place with a small amount of glue and held down by the mast support while it dried. The final picture was taken before the mast support was put in place.

Coast to Coast

We took part in the Sail Caledonia event which crosses Scotland, starting in Loch Linnhe and finishing at North Kessock on the Beauly Firth. The journey takes a week, with the boats being launched from Lochaber Yacht Club on Saturday morning and aiming to arrive at the community slipway in North Kessock by the following Friday afternoon. This was achieved with all the boats out of the water by 4.30 PM. A social evening was then held at Dochgarroch, with food, music and dancing, with everyone finally departing for home on Saturday morning.

http://www.sailcaledonia.org/

The route uses the Caledonian Canal, which links a series of natural lochs, including Loche Ness and is commonly known as the Great Glen. The canal was completed in 1822 and includes 29 locks. It was designed by Thomas Telford. The event is very well organised and provides the opportunity to complete the journey in company of other boats. There is a support barge, which provides a venue for the social side of the trip, as well as music and accommodation if required. Evening meals are provided on board the barge for all the participants. A series of races are organised during the week and boats are given the opportunity to complete the whole journey using just sail and oar.

https://www.scottishcanals.co.uk/canals/caledonian-canal/

The weather was fine all week apart from a sudden shower on Monday and some drizzle on Thursday evening. However, the wind blew from the NE all week, so some long upwind legs had to be completed.
 

 

 

Corpach Locks - the first night

 

Neptunes Staircase

 

Sunday Evening - Garlochy Top

 

Round the Cans Race - Laggan

 

One boat came all the way from Switzerland

 

Descending Fort Augustus Locks

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WMbANND0tg&sns=em

 

 

 

South end of Loch Ness

 

Travelling through the last series of locks in Inverness