Well we finally got on the water for the first time this year, lovely force 2 to 3 and the sun was shinning. Ian and Penny Gibbs local Fireball sailors were OOD and heard to say Merlins are for old men and when they are 40 they will buy one (is 40 old?). Race went well 1st off the line but two guns but thought not possibly me!! Two laps later and silence when crossing the line.........yes we were over the line! Phantom won in the end, we hope to do better next weekend. OOD (I'm too young to sail a Merlin, age 38!) Ian said it was close but you were definitely over.
On the first day on the water for the Merlins and with handicaps (1003) altered if we can start on the right side of the line we still may have a chance........only time will tell.
Brightlingsea Fireball and RS400 sailors still lookin for good second hand Merlins........but not Ian! (YET)

The fair whether sailors have returned then, good to see you’re not moving house or doing the gardening again. and what py are the phantoms sailing off?

If you can't get the merlins with their handicap numbers you can always say that they were over! Did Ossie sail? Looking for a crew at the moment as mine has gone and got herself with child.

Ozzie was out in the Fireball as it was Sunday but next weekend should be out in the Merlin all weekend.

I think the phantom PY is 1043, the guy who won was in a borrowed boat and sailing it the first time. The phantom we have heard does well in this type of wind but not so good when the wind blows, similar to the Merlin.
Looking forward to seeing you Maylandsea boys and girls in the near future.
Congrats to Lora..........if you are coming to PW and need a crew let us know and we will see if we can help.

Thats good. Most of the fireball fleet at Brightingsea are closer to the grave than 40

Might be why they are called coffins!

I was walking the dog along the prom and assumed the two guns were duck hunters on Mersea.  Still waiting for varnish weather  but it was nice see the MRs on the water.

They'd not be shooting duck at high water when they were sailing.

It wasn't

Snow and lots of wind again for the East Coast at the weekend.....oh joy!!

I know can you believe it!  I think sitting at the Bar and celebrating Davids 18th could be a good option!

We are taking him to pool on Thursday evening for an hour then Laura is taking him night clubing in Colchester, I am far to old for that sort of thing........but old enough to sail a Merlin!! He drank for the first time in South africa but not since, he could be in for a very large headache on Friday morning!

Blimey, nightclubbing in town! Good luck to them!  Look out for The Hole in The Wall for music.  Great night of Blue Grass  last week. We took a US pal who spent many a year in Nashville and she thought is was one of the best nights ever.  

This is getting a bit parochial so I'm off to bed.

The boy had a great tine but may not drink again for a few years.....
Back to sailing and yes its windy and cold again, looking out the window and reading the forecast I think we have more chance of sailing Sunday. 3 Creeks Crawl (Sunday) normaly a good race for the Merlin! Hope to see you out soon Jonathan, I guess stil not warm enough for varnish?

Merlins are locked in a barn and the owner has gone on holiday and has the key with him!!! Rang him and his mind was more set on the Med beach scene than on posting it back! Final coat of varnish went on N12 last night in time to set before weekend chill but found one bouyancy bag has perished! Trip to Classic Marine today.