by Victoria Bourne
BCC Christmas Party - December 6
The Christmas party turnout was beyond expectation with more that 30 people enjoying themselves, with food and drinks in a nice environment at the Brentford Premier Lodge.
Laying Up Supper - October 11
A really good turn out, with lots of members accompanied by friends and relatives for this evening of chat and merriment at The Brewery Tap. Our thanks to Brian for a delicious hot buffet, which was much appreciated, and good time was had by all.
The BCC Boat Handling Competition 2003 - September 7
The competition was held on Sunday 7th September. In spite of dire weather forecasts up to the previous day, the day was fair and bright. Light breezes provided no excuse for wayward boat behaviour!
Four boats made it to the starting line. John Yates (Sea Dog) had, in an act of great heroism, volunteered to go first. Heroism and foolhardiness are often close companions, but John John Yates and his professional crew showed a singular lack of the latter as he very deliberately made his way round the course.
Deliberately! What a euphemism. “Inordinately slow” was how his progress was described at the prize-giving. The judges noted a very neat turn at the Spar shop end, where Sea Dog uniquely swung first to starboard ensuring her stern gear was kept completely safe from the steps. She was well-prepared with a ring on the end of the heaving line for the stern-to mooring astern of Lady Eskarena. OK, so it took three throws, but John kept his cool and eventually made fast. A steady performance with no knocks and all the exercises completed to order.
Next up was Eddie Smith in John Scott’s inflatable tender. Eddie struck up briskly and hurtled round the course. Without a crew, he was excused some parts of the exercise like the man ashore manoeuvre. When it became clear the organisers had not given him enough rope, he also got let off completion of the stern-to mooring. The inflatable remained inflated and Eddie stayed dry.
John Scott (Lazy 2) may have had a heavy night on Saturday! He had two good tries at the post below Marcus Court. The first ramming with the bow-mounted anchor was noisy, but merely shook the post. His second attempt involved a side swipe with the starboard quarter, with Lazy already well under way. This was more successful than the bow-on attack, and dislodged several of the metal cladding sheets round the post. Not content with these shenanigans, Lazy later attempted a deadly buttock to buttock embrace with Lady E. Our blushes were saved by a substantial fender. On the plus side, Lazy made an elegant twin-screw turn at the far end, and cleverly took the shore-side passage past pigeon city. Later John got his heaving line ashore first try. Well done and well caught by the crew.
Derek Jones (Hebe3) was last to go, crewed by Hans Styrnell who was on his second stint having also lent a hand on Lazy 2. Derek was never in serious trouble and made good time. However he was harshly judged because the organisers felt that his outboard manoeuvrability should demand perfect placement. So his few minor errors were not forgiven, nor were the judges seduced by the elegant pirouette perfomed by Hebe betwixt dropping off the gold and reaching the finish line.
Everyone got the gold ashore without incident. Well done! No-one moored up in the lock in the manner expected by the organisers. Your loop through the loop already on the bollard is the right way to do it.
If putting "eyes" over a bollard (or cleat), thread them through each other so they can be released in any order.
Results:
- The BCC Boat Handling Competition Shield for 2003:
- Sea Dog (John Yates)
- The Sir Geoffrey Tuttle Memorial Trophy:
- Tender to Lazy 2 (Eddie Smith)
- Best performance by a twin screw vessel and greatest mayhem:
- Lazy 2 (John Scott)
- Best performance by an outboard driven vessel, and fastest course time by a vessel propelled by machinery:
- Hebe 3: (Derek Jones)
Congratulations to all who took part, and thanks from the organisers and spectators for all the entertainment provided.
Previous Years Results:
- 1985 P Schmidt, Dee Ann
- 1988 A J Smith, Knebworth
- 1989 J Hughes, Solit
- 1990 J Yates, Kesteloo
- 1991 D Jones & C Terry, Hebe3
- 2000 The Warrens, Emelee
Bank Holiday Cruise to Teddington - May 25
A lovely cruise in beautiful weather to the Anglers pub, Teddington, where the children amused themselves in the playground, and the older ones - including the adults - enjoyed fun and laughs over a bite to eat
Lazy II: John Scott and Victoria, Charles Hudd, his mother Renée, children Henry and Miranda with their cousin Alan. Jacaranda: Nick Blandy, Jean Billet, Lisa Welsh and Winston Gray, Paula and Vince Coppin. Hebe III: Derek Jones, and his friends Steve, Eve, Poppy, Kit and Sophi
Pontoon Party - May 18
This years Pontoon Party was a great success, it was very well attended and good time was had by all. The weather was kind and the revelry went on into the early evening with many not wanting to leave. Many thanks to Anthony and Maureen for organising the event and for providing scrummy food.
Cruise to Limehouse - May 11-12
We made an early start for a cruise downstream, and were in Limehouse in time for a good lunch at the Narrow Street Pub and Dining Room (used to be The Barley Mow) overlooking the river.
In the afternoon some of our party took an exploratory walk by the river as far as Canary Wharf, and then up the River Lee, while others relaxed in the Limehouse Cruising Club.
We met up at the Bunch of Grapes pub for drinks!!! before dinner at the Café Rajistan, an excellent Indian Restaurant in Commercial Road, where Veronika Weisweiller joined us.
Sunday morning, and after a good night either on board or in the Cruise Club Crew accommodation, although Winston, Lisa, Neil and Mark had departed the previous evening, Lazy II welcomed some newcomers aboard: Charles Hudd, with twins Henry & Charlotte, (8) and vivacious Miranda (5). Keith locked a happy band back into Brentford marina in the late morning on Sunday.
Lazy II: John Scott, Victoria Bourne, Mark Stevens, Lisa Welsh & Winston Gray, Jean Billet, Neil O'Dwyer.
Sea Dog: John Yates, John McKenzie, Anna Ferguson, Hans Styrnell
Jacaranda: Nick Blandy, Peter Dignam & Kathy, Al & Lauren.
Cruise to Chelsea Harbour - April 26-27
We had a lovely cruise in the sunshine to Chelsea, and a pleasant afternoon in the Kings Road, while Jacaranda cruised on as far as the Barrier and back before dinner. Veronika joined us for an excellent meal at the Indian Restaurant "Exotica" in Chelsea.
Lazy II: John Scott, Victoria Bourne, Hans Styrnell and Anna Ferguson.
Jacaranda: Nick Blandy and Peter Dignam.
Knots, whipping and splicing - April 12
Attendees were keen to take part in this useful, informative course, led by John Scott. Small turn out probably because it was another gorgeous day; suggestion that in future if weather is good, session is held in the marina.
Attendees: John Scott, Victoria Bourne, Anthony and Maureen Warren, Nick Blandy and Mark Stevens.
Cruise to Twickenham - April 4
A cruise up river arranged at the last minute. This was one of those warm summer days we had early in April. The river as always beautiful and the tides were in our favour. Upon arriving in Twickenham we enjoyed a good lunch at The Eel Pie, (note: not Barmy Arms!!).
Lazy II: John Scott, Victoria Bourne joined by Mark Stevens, Peter Dignam, Charles Hudd and Bo
Greek meal at Chiswick Taverna - April 3
A very enjoyable social evening organised by Veronika Weisweiller.
Attendees: Veronika Weisweiller, Marion Watkinson with three friends and one baby, John Scott, Victoria Bourne, Nick Blandy, Neil O'Dwyer.
Cruise to Twickenham - March 29
A large number of boats with Captains and crew set out this sunny morning for a pleasant spring cruise to Twickenham and a "healthy" lunch at The Barmy Arms.
Lazy II: John Scott, Victoria Bourne, Ian Ridpath.
Hebe III: Derek Jones, Hans Styrnell and Anna Ferguson
Sea Dog: John Yates and family.
Jacaranda: Nick Blandy, Veronika Weisweiller.
Accident avoidance - March 23
Collision Regulations Refresher: Anthony Warren took us through Collregs for Buoys, Fire, Fog, Lights etc. in a visual and informative way. When time was right we continued our meeting with some refreshment at the Brewery Tap
Attendees: Anthony Warren, John Scott, Derek Jones, John Yates, Maureen Warren, Mark and Angie Blake
