After an early start we retraced our steps from Loch Rannoch driving south where we joined the Gaffers who had already begun to gather at Ullswater Yacht Club for the North West OGA Rally, starting on Saturday 23 August. The weather forecast looked very promising and those in camper vans were directed to a large grassy field beside the lake. Having parked up and secured all the bunting, we joined our hosts in the Clubhouse for a buffet, quiz and briefing for the weekend ahead.
Saturday morning dawned with very light airs and sunshine. The plan was for a gentle sail down to Howtown for a lunchtime drink at the pub. The sail was certainly very gentle with plenty of rowing involved and auxiliary power for those with outboard or inboard engines available. A few took advantage of a tow from those with engines. Bev cycled down the quiet road to join the sailors with Sarah and Dee while Steve hired one of the Gafflings to sail down. The day was rounded off with a barbecue at the Clubhouse and careful scanning of various weather forecasts to see whether a sail all the way to Glenridding may be an option for Sunday.
On Sunday Yvonne crewed with Steve for the sail to Glenridding and back. Bev had researched a bike ride round the lake, but this involves a huge climb over rough terrain. Instead she joined Alasdair and Chris in the safety boat with her camera. The outward leg took just over three hours, tacking down in beautiful sunshine. After a short rest ashore at Glenridding, the fleet returned to the Yacht Club enjoying a wonderful sail with the wind behind taking just two hours. There was a quick turnaround before catching a fleet of taxis to Tirril for an excellent meal at the Queens Head.
Ullswater was formed after the last Ice Age and provides a dramatic sailing area with the wooded slopes reaching the lakeside sweeping down from the high mountains of the Helvellyn Ridge. The dramatic scenery for sailing makes a significant change for East Coast OGA members joining the event. Five Ullswater Steamers ply their passage filled with tourists the full length of the lake, as they have done since 1877 and perhaps one of the most famous historic lake users is Donald Campbell, launching from Glenridding on 23 July, 1955 to set the world water speed record in ‘Bluebird K7’ with an impressive 202.32 mph. There is a 10 mph speed limit now on the lake but dinghy sailors must look out for the swell caused by the steamers and wakeboarders. Unlike our East Coast sailing adventures, there are no tides to consider on our passage to Glenridding.
However there are rocky reefs and shores (not mud), plenty of paddlers and swimmers to look out for and sailing from the Yacht Club at Thwaitehill Bay provides challenging wind shifts. These are particularly evident when passing through the Narrows before the dramatic Aira Point with its waterfall and Glencoyne Bay, opposite Norfolk Island, named after local landowner the Duke of Norfolk and also known as House Holm.
Bank Holiday Monday 25 August was the Gaffling Championship and we were both keen to take part but not sail together! Yvonne crewed with Steve and Bev crewed with PTK. There were three sets of heats followed by a final for all six boats – drawn by lot as to which vessel you sailed. The racing was very competitive. Bev & PTK won! Sadly, Steve & Yvonne capsized – after winning their heat really well. After a shower and change of clothes for Steve and packing away at the Yacht Club, we all bade our farewells.
We’d arranged to stay overnight at the same pub we were at with the Gaffers on Sunday, to enjoy another excellent meal with free parking.
The weather turned on Tuesday and we drove south to Tebay Services where we stopped to stock up on provisions and replace the windscreen wiper blades. Made pretty good time, arriving back home all unloaded by 1530 – and the sun is shining in Matlock Bath!