Report by Ed Wingfield

Mike Webster & Len Wingfield Willing crew George Saffrey Cruz ‘Aurora’ Chris & Jacob Roberts Cormorant ‘Lulu2’ David Sumner Mirror ‘Curlew’ Jim Byers Wayfarer ‘Mistral’ Ken Pilkington Wayfarer ‘Pilki’ David & Margaret Spensley Bay Raider 19 'Crofter" Tim & Anna Roberts Astus 16.1 ‘Triana’ Chris Hieke Sevylor inflatable canoe Rob Barlow GP14 ‘Nentwich Blue’ Vivian & Ed Wingfield Walker Bay 10 'Cuddy Duck' Thomas & James Mackie Devon Yawl 'Lionheart'

Friday September 18th Our Common and Little Terns had done well but our Arctics had failed to fledge young. Thousands of Brent Geese had arrived, along with a larger unidentified species. The Nature Warden said we had no landing restrictions as the young terns had flown.

By the lunchtime flooding of the Causeway ten skippers had arrived. Some were shattered from driving great distances. Boat assembly took place near the upturned herring boat shacks as usual. The weather was overcast but dry, with light winds. Newcomers had a recce sail to familiarise themselves with the local geography. The barbecue and beach fire was enjoyed that evening with eight skippers electing to sleep aboard, dried out on the firm clean sand of Old Lawe, S of the obelisks.

Saturday 19th Those wishing for a full day’s sail had to be away before dawn to deeper water. The previous evening some skipper said they’d like to follow me out so I gave a ‘toot’ on the airhorn in good time before departure. Len took the airhorn from me, insisting that the ‘correct’ sound signal be used – 5 long blasts! This, in a nature reserve at 04,00 with some skippers intending to remain?? Vivian threatened to take it from him and throw it into the sea.

H.I. Rally has a reputation for producing amusing mishaps, but what happened next was not amusing – it was more than a little scary. Unbeknown to the sleeping skipper, the GP14 had taken on much water. So much so that when he awoke and stirred the boat capsized. Imagine the situation; a capsize with the tent up, in the dark? But our skipper was a model of DCA kool – ‘I was amazed at the amount of luminous plankton inside the tent’ – and when he located the tent opening he politely asked his neighbouring skipper, ‘Would you mind giving me a hand?’

The soaking of his personal belongings was considerable and the 4 stroke outboard had been submerged and he’d had a cold dunking, it was the termination of his Rally but he was OK. Upon hearing of all this we were alarmed at the possible outcome. The culprit was found to be a leaking transom flap.

Sunday 20th Was a lovely day with a fine sailing breeze. ‘Triana’ set off for the Farnes at good speed but found Farne Sound a little hostile (2.5kn stream) and aborted. The return trip gave excellent sailing with the boat up to her speed potential. Later ‘Mistral’ with Mike as crew used a mistral to get to Farnes and back, blasting along most of the way. They arrived back at Holy Island wet, but happy.

‘Lionheart’ arrived by sea in the early light – they’d set off from Beadnell before dawn. They proceeded to the Beadnell SC mooring close to St Cuthbert’s Island.

Recently our round-the-Island attempts have been problematic. This day three boats: ‘Crofter’, ‘Lionheart’ and ‘Pilki’ completed textbook circuits. The Ship became our evening HQ where we were fed and watered. A round-UK yacht crew joined us at the table.

Note. Rob Barlow wishes to thank those who gave assistance.