Just in case it has escaped anyone's attention, the premier event of the circuit is coming up in just under a fortnight (see link for more details).  There will be a party the night before to get everyone in the right mood for the 1st race on Sunday.  This is intended to be a barbecue, and we will run it on a "cook what you brought and share it" basis as in previous years.  There will be an adequate supply of London Pride.  I will be setting up my large frame tent on the Church land on the north bank near the club on Saturday and there is space for more campers if needed.  The clubhouse will NOT be open through the night & you can't crash out there.  Bonfires are unlikely to be popular either with the locals or with the owner of a recently refurbished wooden Merlin berthed there (me!).  Racing will virtually certainly be in flights with the first start at 11:00 assuming the wind is up and everyone is ready for the off.  The start line is immediately in front of the club and there is a balcony for spectators, who will be very welcome.  Any other questions, please get in touch.

Andrew 3511

Sorry, forgot the link!

Andrew, Hampton may be hosting the premier river event of the season, but it won't be the Grand Cru of the Thames Series.  For that, people will need to get on down to Tamesis on Sunday 16. :)  Oodles of space to rig your boat, excellent catering a la Clive Burton, and copious amounts of pump action London Pride along with quite a clever selection of vino behind the bar.  See you on the 17/18 Sept however.

Bring on the hampton party, is there going to be music? :P

Andrew is ellie coming along, she better!

Just to qualify what has gone before - arrangements will be made for those who wish to sleep over after the party - it will help if you get in touch if you are intending to do this.  I am not sure my tent is involved now, nor the Church land due to the proximity of local residents.  Music will be involved in some way in the clubhouse but not afterwards.  Perhaps Simon B might be tempted down?

Natt, Ellie is double-booked that evening as am I (though mine is a fogey event) but may, depending on level of sobriety, come down late on.

Well, just an apology for the virtual total failure of the wind to materialise and thanks to all those who braved it out.  We managed to drink all the beer and eat all the food, though the latter at a forced pace.  I was (almost) last off the water from the 1st race and was informed by the duty officer on getting back to the club that the next start was in 20 minutes so I had better get my lunch pronto!  Report on the action to follow, but in summary Glen Truswell borrowed Richard Page's Restless IV and showed what a 45-year old boat is capable of with 3 straight wins, but the plastic fantastics were not far behind.

My crew appeared shortly before the 1st start having got home at 4:30 am and was not very communicative because of the after-effects of her party, but it didn't make any difference really