Shalfleet Lunch - 18th October

 

This is an informal meet to have lunch in a lesser known pub. To have lunch here is a matter of the tides being right, since Shalfleet Quay is only wet at high water! Of course the brighter people immediately work out that HW around lunch time means a foul tide for those coming from the East that morning, unless you get up early. However, life would not be nearly as much fun if you didn't have the odd early start, and besides, you might even get your towels on the pool loungers (or buoys) before everyone else!

 

So, how do we go about it, and where is Shalfleet. Instead of peeling left into the main anchorage when you enter Newtown Creek, try taking the right fork into Clamerkin, and see if you can pick up a buoy. There is no problem if there are none free, the main anchorage is fine, just a little further in the dinghy.

 

Jump into the trusty dinghy, and motor gently up the right hand fork, sticking to the main channel. It will seem a bit starnge, but then you suddely come across some moorings and a quay and boat yard. Tie up at the ladder, and then take the path. After about a quarter of a mile, there is the Shalfleet Inn, which serves good food and beer.

 

Tempting as it may be, it does not pay to settle in for the afternoon, since as King Canute so wisely observed, time and tide wait for no man. A late return means a dinghy on the mud, and a short but sticky wade to the water.

 

Richard Beeson is the Coordinator is the contact to register your interest.

    

Names		Boat Name	Numbers
Beeson	Richard & Joy	Time Out	2
Sage	Joseph & Kim	Ocean Strider	2
Brearley	Ian & Sally	Zephyr	2
Brown	Rob & Sue	Second Affaire	2
Newman	Colin & Ann Hughes	At Last	2

                                                                                                               

 

New Years Eve Party - Folly Inn - 31st December

As we found last year, this gets booked up incredibly early. The Folly was virtually fully booked by New Years Eve 2007 (!) for the end of this year, and we bagged the last 24 places. This is a unique type of evening, combining a great meal with entertainment, a brilliant party atmosphere, and your own accommodation a few yards away.

For those who haven't been before, it is not the usual fight for tables and the bar. As a booking-only event, they only allow in as many people as can be seated at allocated tables, and so it is much less crowded. The meal is a very substantial buffet, with a huge range of food, and we defy anyone to come away hungry.

This is an occasion for the whole family, with a separate table for the more youthful having proved very popular. There is music and dancing after the meal, right through to 01.00, at which time many retire to further partying on the boats until the wee hours.

 

We tentatively floated the idea of a theme last time, and a variety of pirate costumes were on display. This was very much a matter of personal choice, with no pressure to dress up. Ideas are being worked on!

 

So if you want to book up for a lively party to toast the New Year in, email Annemarie Westwood early to reserve your places!

Latest : We have now allocated all the places BUT are taking reserves as in previous years, we have been able to get some additional places. Please let Annemarie know if you want to get on the list.

 

Names		Boat Name	Numbers
Eveson	John & Patricia	Moody Blue	2
Westwood	Steve & Annemarie	Freebooter	2
Beeson	Richard & Joy	Time Out	2
Campbell	Ian & Linda	Westwind	2
Sage	Joseph & Kim	Ocean Strider	5
Philpott	Claire & William	Melos II	4
Kelly	Chris & Kath	Kingshay	4
Woodin	Ann & Jeremy	Teflon	5

Caribbean Trip 23rd Jan - 6th Feb 2009                                                                                           

This is not an official event, but an opportunity to have a winter charter sail in the sun. There are currently 2 boats booked with Sunsail in the British Virgin Islands, out of Road Harbour, Tortola. These are absolutely stunning islands, with great harbours and anchorages. We spent 2 weeks there at the same time this year, and cannot wait to go back. Having talked to a number of people about the trip, interest was expressed in others doing it next year.

The arrangements and costs are too complex to organise an official trip, but by letting you know when, where and how, you can book your own charter to suit. There is no intention to have a flotilla, but more to say where we might meet up every few days. 

Yes, this does seem a long way off, but it is evident that you will need to get booking if you want to join in. There is a further incentive in that there is an early booking discount applicable to the end of August.

If you have any questions, please email Annemarie Westwood