end of season

[Julian Swindell]

A 20ft boat seems quite big on a trailer, but tiny on a fork lift truck...

[Tony]

Hi, Julian..
  End of Season? But Autumn has only just begun.........
Now you've had her Jet washed why not re-launch and enjoy some clear water sailing?

[Julian Swindell]

Not for me. I like an off season from all activities. This is now boat tinkering season for me. I've already started...

[Tony]

I can see the attraction - and the practical benefits. I have a long list of mods and improvements for "Four Sisters"  which I never implement. It's over an hours drive to get to her and it always seems a shame not to put her in the water once I arrive. Autumn, with coots calling across misty water, flights of migrant geese over the marshes .......who can resist?

[Julian Swindell]

That's where I'm lucky. I've got a REALLY BIG shed, where Daisy G and I spend most of the winter. It is the envy of every man who sees it. Women just look a bit bemused by it.

[Michael Rogers]

Sailing on the lake at Tatton finishes when Summer time ('...and the livin' is easy...') ends at the end of October. Actually that's several weeks later than previous years, for which I'm duly grateful. I'm hoping to sail elsewhere from time to time through the autumn/winter/early spring, though what that'll amount to in reality remains to be seen. There's the Dee Estuary still to be explored. Beaumaris in winter could be a challenge. Possible forays to Ullswater or Bala (starting out and coming back in the dark...hmm) not out of the question. Etc. No harm in dreaming, I mean planning.

I also have my Fladen immersion suit to keep me warm. No, I won't go into all that again. Long-standing contributors to the forum will recall that I extolled the virtues of the FIS a few years back, but as far as I know I didn't impress anyone, not even Johann whose sea water really is cold. And Fladen is a Swedish company!!

And for the nearly-all-the-time I'm not sailing, there are those mods/repairs (not many so far) to get on with. Cavatina really is pampered, spending all her off-water time in the 'boat shed' where she was made. This is about 20 yards away from where I'm pecking at my keyboard, across the backyard gravel.

I do make a point of counting my blessings. But it would be nice to be able to get rid of this lurking feeling, at my time of life, of running out of time....So I'd better get on with it.

Michael    (PS Is it THAT late?! No, I'm not an insomniac)

[Tony]

You lucky Devil, Julian.
I built a 23' garage specifically to house "FourSisters" but the family - wife, four daughters, three granddaughters and two grandsons, got there first when I was otherwise engaged.   At the moment it contains two freezers (we have an allotment garden) two bicycles and a 1953 Claud Butler tandem, four boxes of "Take That" memorabilia (which they tell me might be worth pots of money one day and a load of stuff the kids don't want in their own houses but won't let me get rid of.
.......and my wife planted a tree right in front of the up-and-over doors to make it look "less like an industrial estate".
The boat spends the winter under a tarpaulin.
Outmanoeuvred at every turn. 
Now do you understand why I sail all winter, preferably alone?

[Julian Swindell]

That's one of the most tragic stories I have heard.

[Tony]

If you only knew how much I have suffered! ( Wrist to forehead in a gesture of untold anguish.)

(Photo shows my latest tormentor.  Also fond of swallows, let it be noted!)

[Peter Cockerton]

I also have my Fladen immersion suit to keep me warm. No, I won't go into all that again. Long-standing contributors to the forum will recall that I extolled the virtues of the FIS a few years back, but as far as I know I didn't impress anyone, not even Johann whose sea water really is cold. And Fladen is a Swedish company!!


Michael    (PS Is it THAT late?! No, I'm not an insomniac)

Michael

Apologies for not giving any feedback on the Fladen suit, following your forum posting I bought the one piece suit and wouldn't sail without it for my winter outings. I used it several times over last winter and along with my thermal socks, thick helmsman gloves, and hat with ear flaps I was dry, warm and cosy. All with the confidence that should I take an unexpected dip the suit would provide excellent thermal insulation and buoyancy to supplement the jacket. We had several day outings which would not have been so enjoyable without the warmth and comfort the suit provides, so many thanks for your advice.

Full suit and a seperate jacket now purchased for my other "fair weather sailor" half which although not used yet will hopefully join me for half day sailing at local reservoir.

Peter Cockerton

[Michael Rogers]

Peter, I get a warm feeling just reading your contribution! Thanks for the feedback.

Michael

[Knowlton]

Michael

I have enjoyed reading your postings and the others on this thread. On your recommendation I bought a Fladen suit earlier this season and I'm glad I did. It's well made, warm and comfortable - and not too expensive. Recommendation seconded!

Paul

[Johan Ellingsen]

Last trip,coming in to pick up wife..

See you in the mods department!

Johan