Pennyhole Bay Race

Ben was sailing with us today, so we made him skipper for the Pennyhole bay race. We left Worm on the mooring when we sailed off, since we were coming back that evening. Despite sailing off we put the engine on to charge the battery as we headed down the Walton Channel, and we needed it to station keep in Hamford Water while we waited for the start.

Ben got us across the line very smartly at 1200, certainly in the first couple of boats to cross. It was a very crowded start, since the entrance to Hamford Water is rather narrow, and there were at least 33 boats competing.

We managed to keep up with the fleet for a while, but we were at the back by the time we were a third of the way round the course, and finished quite a while later than anyone else at 1641. We can see a lot of weed on the water line, and little limpets growing on the rudder, despite it only being a month since we scrubbed her. She's letting in a lot of water when we sail too. Looks like another winter out of the water coming up....

We tried an extra sail for a while

We picked up the same buoy as before, quite close to Ellen. Melvin gave Ben a lift in his dingy, while I rowed Worm (with Julian) up to the Walton and Frinton Yacht Club for dinner; it was quite a long row....

The YC knew we were coming, but underestimated how many people would want to eat. We had to wait quite a long time for dinner, but it was good when it arrived. Melvin gave Ben a lift back to Robinetta too, and towed Worm with us in her. Thanks Melvin!