Royal Air Force Yacht Club

Time flies doesn't it?

From New Year's day to Burn's Night, the time has flown by. In the meantime we received notice that the planning application has been dropped and the winter has finally arrived.

Burn's Night has just gone by with a considerable amount of enthusiastic support, more than 90 people attended and enjoyed good company, great entertainment and great food. Feedback has been resounding that it was a great night, we certainly enjoyed it.

Plenty of activity going on in the office with the annual shindig of membership renewals.Meanwhile Stargazer has received minimal attention until this weekend when I finally got on board and disconnected the electrics from the mast, the running rigging in preparation for the standing rigging to be replaced. I tried to get onto the scrubbing  bay to replace a faulty depth transducer and a dodgyfeathering prop which is reluctant to reverse, however the high pressure over the weekend meant that I was a few cm short of the draught required to get on and off safely so plan B was to tuck into Port Hamble for a Burn's night, courtesy of Vic - thanks sir.

Now all our minds are focused on the plans for the 80th Anniversary events and in particular the grand summer event in June. It promises to be a great party - watch the web to see what we have planned. If you have any thoughts, don't be shy, why not contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with your thoughts!

Last night we enjoyed the splendid company at the Club Christmas staff party, Brenn got another rousing applause for his "nearly leaving party", He has quiz night next week on the 20th and receives his gift next Friday at happy hour.By that time, he will have had more farewells than Muhammed Ali! It was a great party, thanks to Warwick for the disco and lights and to Brenn for his special shots that seemed to go down very well with the bosuns and their guests. Vivcky and the team fed us tremendously well and also found time to join us for drinks later.

Tonight we are off to St Malo with the club on the overnight ferry for the club weekend, been watching the weather forecasts and pleased to see the forecasted F11 has moderated and I am sure that any inclement weather will be ignored as we all meet up for a great inaugural event - will report back on our adventures.

Last but not least our campaign against the Royal Southern's planning application continues and we are almost ready to submit our objection to EBC, At the same time, I am also reminded by a number of our members that the 19th December is the last date to fill out your response to the Hamble Gravel pits. This campaign has been going on for years, but I believe that this is likelty to be the last of a long sequence of battles so If you feel strongly about the issue I would encourage you to look at the information on the site at www.hamblerage.co.uk before its too late.

At my age, two things are certain

1. too much exercise without a warm up is not a good thing

2. Too much to drink and too little sleep creates a slow day

After the club Christmas party, I have to say I danced too much, and had a couple of glasses of red wine more than is strictly necessary. So this morning I awoke feeling slightly the worse for wear. The Cruisers were on top form and provided non-stop opportunity for me to get overexcited. Apologies to all the ladies upon whose feet I stomped.

Another one for the records!

More than 90 people and almost 40 boats at the Frostbite rally, exceptional Christmas lights and a wonderful evening, We do really know how to party!

Judging by the faces this morning, it appears that some of us clearly do not know when to stop!

The weather was exceptional again, for nearly December, many of us were wandering about in polo shirts. Overnight the gales pulsed their way through the marina with an early downpour, while most of us were still in bed. When we arose the sky was blue from one horizon to another. The sun obviously shines on the righteous!

Luckily during the impromptu karaoke the X factor judges were otherwise engaged.

Thanks to John and Ros for the organisation of a classic event