Launch

Yondering is in the water!

It was a fantastic day for Launch. Sunny, windless, and warm-ish. The crane was busy lifting more than 100 boats off their cradles and into the water. Teams were also working at Highland, Cathedral, and Ashbridges. By next weekend, keeners will have their masts and sails up and some will be sailing.

It will take us a little longer to get Yondering ready this year. I watched her being towed along, gliding high on the water and then being tied into a slip. The refurbished motor will be delivered and installed in the next few weeks, and in the meantime she waits, and we wait.

This was the first year I took part in the launch day and volunteered in the kitchen. I worked the afternoon shift, along with eight others, and we served both lunch and dinner to hungry crews. It was a long day, and mostly fun, with great camaraderie sharing a drink with friends at the end of the night.

Today it is gloomy and grey, and raining. When I opened my eyes in the morning I looked through the skylight to see branches in the tree being whipped by strong breezes, and was thankful for such great weather yesterday.

The BPYC general meeting is Tuesday night, and it will probably be raucous, with contentious changes being proposed to the by-laws. Then next Saturday, the Commodore's Ball, being held for the first time at the clubhouse.

The sailing season begins.