Sailing

This week sees the annual sailing regatta at Cowes.  It's usually held the first week in August but it's later this year because of exceptionally low tides (which we can vouch for, having been able to walk to the fort last week!).  The change of dates caught us out and we were anticipating having visitors with us but owing to the mix-up (I should have checked but just took it for granted, silly me) not only has our intended guest had to cancel, but we won't be here for the traditional trip to the fireworks on Friday.  Bigs sighs all round, and next year I must check the dates beforehand.  Lesson learned.

Anyhow, we had a potter out to Cowes on Sunday, taking advantage of a promising weather forecast.  Blue skies and a good breeze made ideal sailing conditions, and we watched several classes start, counting down the race for the line with the guns outside the Royal Yacht Squadron.  It's always a great sight as the yachts jostle for position, trying to cross the line between the markers buoys just as the gun is fired, but being very careful not to 'jump the gun' and end up being penalised by having to turn and cross the line again.

Cowes Week has been an annual outing for so, so many years - indeed, I have a photo of me aged about 7, standing by the guns with my fingers in my ears.  There are also many memories of the fireworks at the end of the week; you have to be in position good and early if you want a good view.  Flasks and sausage rolls were the order of the day.  And a groundsheet to sit on if it was fine, and to shelter under if it rained, and I can well remember a number of occasions when it poured and we got drenched but the fireworks still went off.  More recently we have had some quite grand picnics with bucks fizz which was quite good fun ;)