SAILING
Nick Law has now taken over as Group Leader of Hertford and District U3A.
The group is full so if you are interested contact Nick or see Stewart Wagstaff at our monthly meetings.
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We sail every Tuesday, 11am, at Broxbourne Sailing Club as part of Hertford and District U3A Sailing Group. No experience is necessary as we are a friendly and helpful lot. We can provide buoyancy aids so all you need is a change of clothes, trainers and a pair of gloves.
The sailing group is run via Hertford U3a but draws its members from several local u3a's.
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A GENTLE DAY OUT
21 of our members went on a gentle cruise up the River Lea on two canal boats, courtesy of Canal Ability. We went through two locks to Harlow Mill where we enjoyed a picnic and then returned to the mooring at Harlow. Several members tried their hand at steering and we only went aground once. An excellent day on the River.
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The U3A sailing group will be going away on three trips this year to experience different types of sailing.
In June, 20 members will be travelling to Norfolk to sail some beautiful classic wooden boats. These are wonderfully looked after by Hunters boatyard using traditional skills. The Group will explore the waterways of the Norfolk Broads.
In September, 24 members of the group are flying off to Greece to experience sailing far more modern boats in warmer waters with not a dry or wet suit in sight. This is the groups’ second visit. The trip last year improved everyone's skills.
At the end of September, 10 members will be going to Brightlingsea to explore the Essex coastline in Wayfarers learning about tides and coping with the British weather.
Sailing Group activity holiday.
On the 6th September 24 of the group flew out to Lemnos a Greek Island to a Mark Warner Leisure Village. Flying by BA we arrived at Lemnos Airport where they average about four landings per day! Thus, passage through the terminal was very swift!
With glorious sunshine we arrived at the centre to be greeted by very friendly staff, and shown to our various apartments which were built on the side of a cliff/hill that went from sea level to about 150ft above sea level. Curiously, we must have been the oldest there, they had put us all in the apartments on the summit! Most were quite happy with the view! A few of us asked for lower rooms, less of a view, my 'bride' and I were allocated ROOM 101! or as it became known base camp!!
I was somewhat relieved to see we were situated in a bay, so when sailing at least 3 sides had land so much less of a chance of me disappearing into the Med and being picked up as a migrant! There was an abundance of sailing craft for us to use from Wind surfers, single handed and double handed dinghy, to large Catamarans. Then there were excellent mountain bikes along with tennis and Volley Ball to enjoy.
Some of our wives had gone along for a more restful holiday soaking up the sun and pina colados!
The rest of us not being very competitive, providing we are winning!, got well and truly stuck into the sailing , day one saw the first casualty! as one of our number out on a single handed dinghy received a blow to the bridge of his nose from a rapidly moving boom, not a pretty site and soon became known as BLACK EYED Pete!. This set the theme for the week as bruises and bumps appeared on the rest of us! At the end of each day there was an organised race of all the sailing craft, which at times looked like carnage but was a great way to end the days sailing!!!!
Following the sailing we had our own U3A volley ball team, made our own rules up, playing a mixed assortment of other guests on average 20years younger than us. We had among us a member Andy, who assured us he was County Standard at Volley Ball, Sailing, Cycling and Table Tennis!! However, we did find that allowing him to play for the opposition enabled us to win!
The Scotsman, he looked about 15yrs! who ran the mountain bike rides was a little dubious when 6 of our group signed up for the Radio Mast Challenge, the most challenging ride on offer, it started at 6am in the morning! With only two other guests taking part, we all set off in the dark, with the guide, I suspect, carrying a defibulator just in case! However, after about eight miles we got to the base of the Radio Mast climb, which has a summit of 1600ft, the young guide was so impressed with us he suggested we had a race to the top!!! We declined this as we could not come up with an agreeable handicap system based on age!
Prizing giving on the final evening was much anticipated by our non-competitive group! We managed not to get a prize for Volley Ball, Andy particularly gutted! Nor in the cycling which must have been a result of bribery somewhere along the line. However, we got brilliant result with our two experienced lady sailors, Joyce and Joyce, who came joint third in the best sailor. Then the best sailor of the week was announced too much anticipation and tense silence .... and the winner is.........Stu... as I stood up to a tremendous ovation and cheering, I was absolutely dumb struck to see another Stu striding towards the stage!!!!!! I am still receiving counselling!!!!!
All in all a great holiday with great company and something I am sure many of us will want to repeat.
Sailing Group
The group is run through Hertford U3A, but facilitate sailing for a host of U3A's.
The group is based at Broxbourne Sailing Club, Mead Lane, Nazing and meets every Tuesday throughout the year. The clubhouse facilities are excellent, changing rooms and showers, refreshments including cooked food available. We are also able to have short talks and coaching sessions if required.
Safety on the water is paramount, many members are trained first aiders including one retired paramedic. We also have many qualified as safety boat skippers. All members take their turn as either crew or skipper in the safety boat.
There are three Bosun Dinghies, above, in the fleet.
There are several expert boat builders within the group, who supervise restoration and maintenance of the fleet. The Wayfarer above is an excellent example of a near derelict boat has been given a new lease of life by our members.
Two of our restored boats from near derelict condition. The Wayfarer, mentioned before, in the background with the GP14 in the foreground.
Here are dinghies rounding a mark during one of our regular races. By mixing crews, experienced members can pass on skills, to improve the level of sailing.
Sailing usually starts late March and continues through to late November. The winter months are spent on boat maintenance.
At the end of a day's sailing, the dinghies are taken out of the water and derigged and stored on dry land. We have several members, who had never sailed before, joining our group.
The group also organise affordable sailing holidays, which are always great fun.
Fancy sailing, if so, contact our leader Teressa for further details.
U3A Norfolk Broads Trip 15 to 19 June 2015
Yet another wonderful trip for the Hertford U3A Sailing group. The tradition continued of a holiday sailing the lovingly restored Norfolk Broads gaff rigged boats from Hunter's Yard at Ludham. The weather was kind with no rain, plenty of sun, and fair winds on all 5 days. 20 sailors enjoyed the variety of the 6 day boats with flexible rota of skippers and crews. Long days of exciting sailing, exploring the beautiful rivers and Broads. The low bridges were no obstacle and both Potter Heigham and Ludham were tackled with ease this year.
Thurne provided the perfect mooring base yet again with accommodation at the quaint Hedera House. Excellent beer and food at the Lion pub next door, whose landlord even allowed us to have a not always harmonious sing song. Great company, well organised, a most enjoyable adventure once again.
Thanks to all and particularly the leaders, skippers and buyer of provisions.
Log of the trip - as remembered by Bern Gardner
The Boats
Never Can Tell 2, Buff Tip, Sundew, Brown Bess, Woodcut 1, Cornish Shrimper
The people
Skippers; Stan, Joyce B, Joyce C, Geoff B, Paul, Bill, Ian, Jack,
Crew regulars; Teresa, Janet, Len, Stewart, Bern, Geoff P, Martin D, John K,
Crew guests; Ann D, Olga, Fiona
Cruiser; Geoff and Barbara Preshner
The Day Trips
Monday 15June Dry sunny Force 3 NW
Meet at Hedera House, Thurne 10.30am. Settle straight into house and 2 bungalows and unload provisions from Joyce C's car.
Pick up 4 day boats from Hunter's and joined by Paul and Len with Shrimper launched at Ludham and NCT picked up from Upton by Stan and Ian.
Sail to Potter Heigham for lunch and look around. Bill Geoff and Barbara P emerge from the boatyard in the cruiser.
Good tack back to Thurne for the usual tea, cakes, shower, followed by drinks and huge meal at the Lion pub next door.
Tuesday 16 June Dry hot sunny Force 3 NW
Good sail west past St Benet's Abbey ruins with much improved banks and serious dredging under way near the entrance to the Ant.
On to Ranworth Broad and all squeeze into the channel by the ferry staithe. Lunch and ice creams on the lawn in the hot sunshine.
Fast return sail with some enjoying a diversion down the wide River Bure Channel to Acle Bridge.
Swim in the Hedera pool for the brave and dress up for posh meal out at the Filby Bridge organised by Stan.
Excellent 3 courses for £20 in the delightful restaurant overlooking the peaceful Ormesby Little Broad.
Wednesday 17 June Dry cloudy Force 3 to 4 NW
Slow start with reef required in the sails. Meet up at Potter Heigham to prepare for the bridge, with masts coming down with comparative ease.
The holiday week had been chosen for favourable tide on this day. Easy ride through pushed by both wind and tide.
Exciting sail across the vast Hickling Broad and lunch at the far end by the Pleasure Boat Inn
Long sail back to Thurne tacking against strong winds but favourable tide at Potter Heigham Bridge.
Meal at the Lion and landlord's approval for a singsong. "You can take your clothes off and dance naked as far as I am concerned"
Possible entertainment for next year, but the singing seemed to go down quite well for now.
Thursday 18 June Dry sunny spells Force 3 NW down to force 1 after 5pm
West on Bure, turn right at St Benet's, up the River Ant to Ludham Bridge.
Four boats proceed under the bridge but 2 choose to return for a shorter day around Horning Broad.
Lunch on the lawns at How Hill in hot sunshine. Visit eel catcher's cottage and admire 2 Norfolk wherries nearby
Teresa and Bern urge trip up the Ant to visit Barton Broad, where they recall their many school trips.
Three boats towed by Shrimper up narrow tree lined river. Good sail the full length of Barton Broad till 5pm
No further sailing as wind has gone for the day. Long 2 hour tow back to Thurne but spirits are high with much singing.
Late meal at the Lion and another singsong.
Friday 19 June Dry cloudy Force 3 to 4 NW
Last day. Clear the house and store bags in ladies' bungalow
Exciting sail. Fast reach down to Acle Bridge along the wide River Bure Channel. Elevenses at the bridge.
Fast tack in strong winds with reefed sails. Unfortunate damage of broken bowsprit to Sundew when motor cruiser in a hurry failed to take evasive action. Late lunch at St Benet's Abbey.
Good sail back to Hunters Yard to return the boats at 3.30pm. NCT returned to Upton
Cars back to Hedera for final tea and cakes in the ladies' bungalow
A big thank you to Joyce B, Teresa, Joyce C and Stan. Plus, Paul for the indispensable towing