Our newest member, Roland, shares his enjoyment of the recent Norfolk Rally with his own boat and aboard the Wherry ‘Albion’.
Ronnie’s and my membership is so new that the ink still dissolves in hot water (long story) and we are not quite sure if we exist. So all of the below was a complete surprise. Saturday was the day for dinghy memories, mainly because Sunday was the day for Wherry memories and the wind was even stronger than previously. I reckon Saturday was force 2 to 5 with not much in between, but I defer to others as to which particular tree was swaying in which particular manner. I think there were two small boat sailors out when I was on the water on Sunday, including one large dog with that “I have to let my owner take his exercise” slightly embarrassed look about him/her. It was great to see a number of boat dogs enjoying their adventures over the weekend.
I spent much of my childhood scrabbling around on the north Thanet sea wall, with a sighting of one of the last two working Thames Sailing Barges as a highlight of the day, so discovering that I had stumbled upon a visit by the Albion Wherry was absolutely at the top of my list: and then this brilliant bloke let me take the helm. I was actually sailing a 60 foot vessel up a river, and it’s a really rhythmic, poised boat to experience. Wonderful. (Would have been even better if I’d done what he told me to, but isn’t that always the way).
Understandably, members were obliged to pack up as Sunday progressed. Our Saturday sail as a flotilla had been worthy of any weekend, particularly the downwind run from the Black Mill to the entrance leading to Whelpton. Lunch tied to the ‘Albion’ in the middle of the Weirs was an event in itself and we suspect raised some interest from shore based onlookers. The ample supply of tea, coffee and cake aboard ‘Albion’ seemed as inexhaustible as it was generous. We pottered on the Broad for a while (i.e. going round in circles at the entrance), and then gently wafted in a light breeze through the dyke onto the Bure – where utter mayhem ensued beating through a challenging breeze surrounded by Saturday afternoon cruisers. As new members, it was reassuring to learn that many of the ‘old hands’ had acquired tales to tell of that particular leg, that were shared cheerfully as we progressed along the Bure on the Sunday Wherry, which the cruisers seemed inclined to avoid.
I have to say that I don’t think I came across one overtly bad tempered person on the Broads while we were sailing. The crew of the ‘Albion’ provided loads of information enhanced by their own obvious attachment to the Wherry. Every member of the Gaffers Association was kind and welcoming to us, and made a holiday we had been anticipating for some time into something completely unexpected and fun. My memory after we had wandered over to the Sunday night fire pit becomes a little hazy, but I seem to recollect promises to attend limitless rallies. I hope so.
Report: Roland Bruce
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