David, Margaret Spensley. Wanderer
Tim, Anna Roberts. – boatless
Chris Hieke. Wanderer
Matt, Mary. Lune Pilot
Len Wingfield. Walker Bay 10
Ken Pilkington. Wayfarer
Vivian, Ed Wingfield. Mothership

Poor weather was forecast for Sunday and Monday. Skippers will have done their cost/benefit calculations, perhaps deciding it wasn’t worth the effort....

However, the Saturday gave excellent sailing conditions. The skippers, mainly single-handed, decided to team up for the ‘must-do’ to the Farne Islands. The preferred outward route was S for 6M close inshore and cross Inner Sound at Bamburgh. The boats anchored in idyllic places for lunch. Meanwhile the wind obligingly changed for an easy run home. After further explorations the skippers took the NW 7M offshore return route from Longstone to Holy Island. All the expected wildlife was seen including a skua!

That night the wing freshened to NE f4-5 with heavy rain by 0400. On Sunday two brave boats sailed locally in a chilly N f4 before the wind increased to f5-6. Monday, NNW f6-7 occ 8. The best that can be said is that it was a thorough test for tent integrity and anchoring ground tackle.

The pub meals and gatherings were the usual happy, chatty events.

After successive weather disappointments the Holy Island Rally 2008 will be moved to July, away from a bank holiday, and to give spring tides for Holy Island circumnavigations.