|
|
The
Victoria
Shadow
Association |
|
|
Shotley
Rally 2007
Victoria
Rally at Shotley Marina - June 23rd 2007 |
|
The gathering of East Coast Victorias
really started on the Wednesday before. Jonathan Hopper had sailed up
from the Medway and was in Brightlingsea to look at Anne’s Windpilot
in operation. There was a good breeze so the Windpilot was in its
element, giving us a good sail up the Blackwater estuary and back to
Brightlingsea. |
|
|
|
On the following morning Francesca and
Louise sailed out to go their different ways, as Jonathan had to go
back to Gillingham and Anne was heading up to Harwich. |
|
|
The next day, with Louise on a mooring
at Pin Mill, Santy sailed by, on her way home to Hoo, as the forecast
was poor for later in the weekend. Michael, Anne and their friend
Roger had hoped to attend the Rally in Shotley. Later in the day,
Tryptich, a Victoria 34, moored just down the river. Tryptich’s owner
previously owned Matti, a Frances 26. |
| |
|
|
|
The boats began to gather in Shotley on
Friday, with Peter Allen and his crew, Nigel, the first to arrive in
the Marina, although Martin Hunt also sailed up on Friday and anchored
outside. He had a record trip from Burnham – four and half hours –
they must have been flying! Louise had spent the night at Halfpenny
Pier at Harwich and had very dirty fenders to show for it! Redwing
came in to the Marina on Saturday morning, to be followed by John and
Wann Sadler in Maria Frances. The last to arrive – they had been
having a nap outside Suffolk Yacht Harbour after their night passage
from Gillingham – were the Macgregor family on Victoria Rose. |
|
|
Everyone moved between the boats for
tea, chat and hints! We had to take shelter constantly from the heavy
showers.
About 17.30 we all gathered on Victoria
Rose for drinks and nibbles.
We were joined by Frank and Yvonne
Fowler whose boat Barbican 111 is a resident in Shotley. She has
spent a long while out of the water but is now in full sailing
condition.
Arnold Robinson and David came up from
Burnham by car, Glenys joined Martin and Tim Gearing and Angela
arrived so by now there was an overflow out into the cockpit. |
|
We were grateful for those who were
there with cars, as the heavens opened as we were due at the pub for
dinner. The Bristol Arms in Shotley village was our venue. After a
good meal and plenty of chat, we returned (by car!) to our boats to
gather strength for the return sail on Sunday – the forecast was not
good! Although there was rain, the strong wind did not materialise,
so hopefully all returned safely to their moorings. |
|
