FROM THE QUARTERDECK — A Report from Vice Commodore Blair Cliffe

Well, hello everyone.  Is it just me or has it been a funny summer for weather?  As a surfer and sailor, I was amazed and frustrated just how long those Easterlies hung in over the summer.  No good for surfing up my favourite East Coast and lumpy and bumpy for making the trek North and South.  It even caused the postponement of our premier event The Duder Cup and for those who missed the notice it will now be run on the 23rd April.  Let’s hope that the weather is kinder to us then.  Do consider popping down to the club to see the finish, with a mixed fleet of classic and modern boats it will be a great spectacle. 

Covid and all that…

Of course, Covid gets a mention even though I am sure, like me, you all wish it would go away and leave us alone.  With the relaxing of Government rules and regulations the club will follow suit.  There will be no need to show your vaccine pass after 4 April, thank goodness, though masks and sitting at a table to be served will stay the same.

Friday dinners are proving very popular

It has been very pleasing to see the numbers attending Friday night dinners with Chateaubriant, our new caterer.  Although not obviously up to pre-Covid numbers we have seen decent numbers enjoying great food and company.  Sixty or so covers was, I think, the call last Friday, which is not bad at all.  I encourage those who have not tried the food yet to do so and welcome back to those who have.

Anyone for a spot of dinghy sailing?

In my last newsletter I mentioned that I had been working on my dinghy and encouraged anyone else with a similar sized vessel to get in touch so we could organise an event.  That resulted in zero responses!  So, either no-one has a small boat, which I know is not true as two Past and Present Flags own rowing/sailing boats, Bill Rimmer I think still has his boats and there must be others.  Truth be known, I need a prod to get mine on the water!  So come on small boat sailors, rowers, punters, canoes let’s have a gathering.

Bunking off for a spot of autumn sailing

As some of you will know I am in the Navy and am working onboard HMNZS MANAWANUI at the moment. 

We are due to be away for most of the next two months training up divers, ROV pilots and crane operators.  All of this to be able to fulfil one of our primary roles of light salvage.  I walked out of my office today and as I cycled down to the ship, I thought what a glorious day and then saw lots of boats heading down the harbour, including Mike Webster setting sail in Northerner.

I thought, ‘well what have I got on this week?’  It will be the last chance to enjoy the end of summer and hot days.  I quickly realised that I had lined up all the training that it was my remit to do and that it was proceeding smoothly — so I doffed my cap to the Captain and requested permission to take some leave.  An answer in the affirmative had me smiling broadly.

So, I will take my leave of you to pack my bag as Emma and I are off sailing for the next few days.  Light winds and sunshine is the forecast. 

Can’t wait.