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7th November 2007
The Rally 2008 dates have now been decided - based on the decision firstly to avoid May's continually lousy weather, secondly the school holidays, and thirdly to tie in with the tides.
Holy Island and the Farnes. 19-21 Sept 2008
(some skippers arrive earlier and/or leave later)
This rally is suitable for the novice or the skipper with a young family as the launch area is directly into sheltered water. Experienced skippers will be happy to advise newcomers. See Ed, Tim or Bill who will rustle up extra muscle for your launch/recovery if nec. See them also to learn of the restricted Tern nesting sites. The semi-sheltered expanses of Fenham Flats and Holy Island sands give plenty of estuary-type sailing to tackle, or you can explore the fascinating LW channels. Sea dogs will sail the 7M coastal passage to the Farne Islands reserve archipelago. Harbour dues are £5/week. All of this is in an area of outstanding natural beauty. Non-sailors will find plenty of interesting things to visit locally eg. Bamburgh, Berwick on Tweed and Flodden (Northumberland's last, and most bloody battlefield)
This year we've chosen a date with spring tides and a morning and eve HW (most convenient for both liveaboard and liveashore skippers) The spring tides offer H.I. circumnavigation possibilties.
Experienced daytime navigators may wish to tackle a night passage from Inner Farne (The Kettle anchorage) to Holy Island. The 7M passage has unlit rocks and shallows to negotiate. Nav-aids are represented by three local lighthouses and by generous lateral and cardinal buoyage. Chatton tv mast (lit) might prove useful. Holy Island harbour approach is a dog-leg marked by two sectored leading lines.
Another idea is for liveaboards who might overnight in the most remote corner of Budle Bay. Here you are far from artificial light. A clear sky will give a fantastic starry night.
All Rally skippers assume full responsibility for their boat and crew.
Rally Phone = 07813 106792. Rally Radio = VHF chan M (with a beach check to make sure we are all receiving)
See Google Earth for detailed satellite images. "Holy Island, Northumberland"
