For those of you who maybe missed out on the story from last year's Dinghy Show, the plan had been to back up the launch of the new Merlin Rocket book 'Real Magic' with an on stage presentation that told the story of the class. Then, in the run up to the Show, our slot was 'bumped' to make room for a talk on dinghy cruising. Well, for 2016, there is good news and bad news. The good news is that we do now have a confirmed slot for 'Real Magic Live' but the bad news is that I've again been bumped (yes, by dinghy cruising) which leaves me the last slot of the day at 5pm. Given that it's a 45 minute talk, come the Q&A at the end about, the only people in the main hall will be the staff at Andark (they always have the pitch on the left hand side of the stage) and the cleaners! I am doing the talk again on the Sunday but this is in the Luccombe Suite and is for RYA Gold Members only....
So it is really mixed blessings - I guess the only good news is that once the Dinghy Show has been and done, I'm free to talk the talk elsewhere (it's first away venue is on the Hamble a fortnight after the Show).
I can't say that I am overjoyed to be given the rotten deal of a 5pm start time but it is better than nothing (the RYA rationale is that it will help keep people on at the Show to the end....some hope). It is though what it is......I know that the organisers for our stand have had more than a few struggles to get things organised.
I will be at the Show all day Saturday up until after lunch on Sunday and will have copies of books on hand for anyone who wants a copy. If you DO want a copy and want to collect it at the show, drop me a line at
[email protected] and I will make sure that there is a copy put aside for you. Once they are gone, that will be that.... the chances of a third print run are looking slim.
If you're interested in taking 'Real Magic Live' for you club.... same thing applies - drop me a line and we can discuss it over a coffee at the Show.
See you there on the best stand at the Show,
Dougal
