I Am Sailing Part 2

I Am Sailing – Part 2

Table of Contents

Largs 1
First Time in Largs 1
Saturday 2
Maritime Tradition 2

Largs
Roger and Sharon’s sailing club also had boats moored in Largs Yacht Haven – on the coast of the Firth of Forth just to the west of Glasgow.

A small fleet of Sonatas – about, three times the length of the dinghies and sleeping up to five, fairly comfortably.

They would often get up there on a Friday evening in the summer and sailed the area over the weekend – returning home on Sunday evening – sometimes in a minibus with other club members.

We were invited and went for it.

First Time in Largs

Picked up by the minibus, Friday – about 16.00. Four of us plus their mate Linda.

Straight north on the motorways to the south of Glasgow and then off to the west coast and the Firth of Clyde.

No real delays – got to the Yacht Haven just after seven – dump the luggage in our allocated Sonata and – straight to the bar/restaurant in the club house – entry with our member’s only passes.

That evening – Jean and I’s – first introduction to the yachting fraternity at leisure – après piste – as it were.

We fitted in seamlessly.

Nice meal in the restaurent and then into a lively bar.

None of the mythical hurrah Henries in green wellies and a ‘Skipper’ cap.
Seems – it’s a special night – one of the barmen is returning to New Zealand after finishing his season and is having a ‘leaving do’.
Busy bar – but we got seats – and a live Ceilidh Band ( and that is spelt correctly) about to kick off’

Couple of hours later – we are belting out ‘Flower of Scotland’ like natives – with a big shout on the last line of the verse :

That stood against him
Proud Edward’s army
And sent him homeward
Tae think again

A few pints of ‘Heavy’ might have contributed.

Loved it !

Maybe lucky to pick the right night – but I was sold on sailing – particularly the apres sail – and we hadn’t been sailing yet.

Saturday
We slept well that night – despite the new environment.

Couple of double berths for the couples and two single sofa/berths in the central lounge .

all wake up at about the same time – all in close quarters, but, no alarms, so it’s not an early start.

Bit of a wash snd brush up – off for a bite of breakfast – some more fragile than others.

Them back for a team meeting and plan for the day.

We did see the navigation map for the area – and recognised quite a few names;

Mull of Kintyre

Isle of Skye

Storneway

Bute and Bute sound

Rothesay

All of which we either visited for a stop or sailed past over the weekend.

decent dry day with a nice breeze – so we are soon off to get familiar with the boat – guided tour from the skipper and safety stuff – and out for a few practice tacks and sort crew duties.

Eventually end up tied up in the small harbour at Rothesay and sandwich and drink at the cafe – looked like a nice little town – famous for being the birth place of Lena Zafaroni – you might have to Google that. Roger and Sharon know their way around the area – apparently there is a good Chinese restaurent in the town – with a Chinese propriator with a very heavy Glaswegian accent – we will fit it in sometime.

Bit more -‘ messing around in boats’ – and back to Rothesay – for a halfway toilet stop.

harbour a bit busier by now – no obvious space for a bow or stern berthing – and we discover more sailing protocol – quite a few boats were tied up in parralel with the harbour walls or jetty – some were three deep in a row, with the inside boat tied up to the harbour wall and ladder or steps exits to land – the others in the row tied up to the next boats.

We eventually tied up to the third boat in a parralell row i.e. fourth boat away from exit to land.

Exit ? Not a problem – perfectly acceptable to walk / climb over the row of boats to get to the way out. No need for permission – but polite to call – ‘coming aboard skipper’ – and – only real rule – cross over their bows (the pointed end) – not their cockpits, which are their private space.

Of the three boats we eventually crossed to get into town -two had a teatime ‘happy hour’ going – both offered a drink – politely refused – we still wanted to get back to Largs. We could stay in Rothsayfor the night – but that means berthing fees and maybe charges for electric and/or water if we wanted – and Largs was paid for and all inclusive.

Bit of a stretch around the town centre – lovely place – quent but not short of amenities.

We were by now – Knackered – some more than others – ecided that a chinese and and early night in Rothesay was more attractive than getting back to Largs.

Roger sorted berthing fees – we all lumped in – then a very relaxing Chinese meal with the novelty of the Chinese owner having a thick Glaswegian accent.

Short walk back to the boat and everyone in bed within half an hour – not even a night -cap.

Sunday Brunch Menu available from 10.30 through to 3pm

Bit of a lie in.

Forecast is for rain – group discussion – a shower would be nice – followed by brunch in the club house and hit the road home, whenever we feel like.

None of us keen to get out on the water in the rain. So a couple of hours later – all showered – some of us -shaved – and dressed for the clubhouse.

They understand the needs of sailors – Sunday Brunch Menu available from 10.30 through to 2.30.

I discovered the ‘Duke of Edinburgh’ Breakfast – scrambled eggs and local smoked salmon – lovely.

All agreed that it seemed a long time since arriving, on Friday evening – and ready to hit the road and get home.

So – couple of hours packing, tidying the boat – even a bit of cleaning – and checked out and on the road.

Very easy run back on a quiet Sunday afternoon and Jean and I are walking into the house before 7pm. For a quiet evening – an early night – left the unpcking for tomorrow – we already new that an active holiday rather than just lying by a pool or on a beach – was more interesting and more refreshing – but also more tiring.

Slept like logs – in our own bed.

P.S.

We did it all again – with modifications- probably four more times – before we moved on to our solo sailing in the sun.

See Part 3