Starcrossed Lubbers

Saturday saw us joined by Graham Wallen and Andy Cake who had stayed at the local B&B and were to sail while Judy and Margie visited various garden centres and other places of interest, some of them intentionally and some by accident of navigation.
	Race 1 showed just how unused Sue and I are to travelling, when arriving at the windward mark in an excellent 6th place we discovered that we had only tied the spinnaker on temporarily and it parted company with the halyard which disappeared into the mast as fast as oysters from David Branns plate.
Back on shore we removed the mast and re-threaded the halyard just in time for race 2. Meanwhile it was not a great start for the Poole team with Tony and Serina best in 10th, Graham and Andy 12th, David (who had graciously allowed Barbara the weekend off to rest her bad back.) was 16th with local man Chris Lloyd and Den and Clyde DNFd but I can’t remember why. Race 2, and all was not harmony and light aboard Chavirez as I struggled to chill out and spot the way through the Exes tides. We came 15th. T&S were again best with 6th, D&C - 9th, David - 11th and it was Graham and Andy's turn for the DNF and again I don’t know why. That night the club house was heaving as the disco catered for those with energy to spare. This was mainly Lark and National 12 sailors many of who were young and very fit. They danced energetically in the strobing light, the girls in their short skirts and cropped tops gyrating smoothly, while small droplets of sweat glistened on their pert...............sorry, I don’t know what came over me. I and most of the rest of the Poole crew along with the Wayfarer sailors went to bed when the "Old Moggie" ran out about 10 o’clock proving conclusively I am now a fully paid up member of the Old Farts Club. (Note: if anyone sees me looking longingly at a Day boat please do the decent thing and shoot me.)

It was during the GP Eurocup in Carnac that we first thought about the Southern Championships at Starcross. During the week, Sue, Guy, & me, had spent every evening sampling the local cuisine along with Tony Moore and those well known gastronomes the Branns. (Important note here; when visiting new restaurants, being in the company of a couple who used to run a restaurant not to mention being a wine buyer for a large store, helps ensure a full sensory overload.)
We had always planned to go to Starcross, intending to camp on Friday night and eat fish & chips, but after nights of oysters, escargot and galettes complet, we decided we needed to make an effort. On arrival at Starcross you have to unhitch your boat and walk it through a very low bridge to a club which has a beautiful setting on the river Exe. Tents sprang up in no time and we looked at getting the food on the go, but the chilly breeze soon had us heading for the clubhouse where we were welcomed by
the super friendly members, who offered us the use of their galley. A table was commandeered and spread with a lace table cloth and adorned with a silver candelabra. Serina produced the first course of smoked salmon salad with prawns which somewhat surprised the onlookers. We followed this up with chicken in white wine and finished with Tony's superb home made white chocolate and coffee ice cream. All washed down with lashings of wine supplied by David. Den and Clyde had arrived during the meal but they had stopped to eat on the way, never the less we let them try some ice cream just to let him know what they’d missed. The bar then took its first hammering as I sampled the "Old Moggie" from the local Teignmouth brewery.

If it wasn’t for the fact that I hate camping with a passion, I would say it was almost pleasant getting up at 7-30 on Sunday to see the sun rising over the river. Tea and a full breakfast were most welcome but ominously there was no sign of any breeze. After a short delay we launched and drifted around while the race officer tried to second guess the wind direction and we started the race in about .0005 of a knot. After 3 minutes it increased to .005 of a knot and shifted 180 degrees.
This torture continued for about 30 minutes until the wind settled to a steady F2 and we were able to sail reasonably well until we discovered that the river Exe is actually shallower than Poole Harbour and spent the second half of the race raising and lowering the plate. Results were T&S - 8th us - 10th D&C - 14th David - 15th G&A - 20th. A short break ashore was taken while the wind was at its best and the race committee relaid the course. At the front of the fleet it was all to play for with at least three boats in with a chance and the start of race four was very aggressive. All the Poole boats sailed their best race in a steady wind and it was smiles all round for us when we got ashore to find five boats had been OCS. Result: D&C - 2nd T&S - 3rd us - 7th David - 8th G&A - 12th. It’s nice to report that the Southern's has at least been won by a southerner, Tim Hemsley and Andy MacManus from Frensham Pond. Prize giving was followed by a long queue to get the boats back under the bridge and the fairly comfortable drive home gave us the chance to reminisce on a great week-end. Thanks again Starcross.
1st Tim Hemsley / Andy MacManus Frensham Pond 2nd Richard Instone / Mark Cheshire Chase SC 3rd Dave Young / Amy Finney South Staffs Silver Fleet: 1st Tony Moore / Serina Thorley Poole YC (5th o/a) Bronze Fleet: 1st Den Valentine / Clyde Elliott Poole YC (10th o/a) 3rd Barry Southam / Sue Southam Poole YC (14th o/a) 15th o/a David Brann / Chris Lloyd 17th o/a Graham Wallen / Andy Cake