Royal Air Force Yacht Club

Article submitted by: Frances

The RAFYC had a big turnout at the Royal Clarence Rally over the Easter weekend.

 A casual fun race was organised by David Le Mare. So at 10.00 on the Saturday morning, despite a lack of wind, four boats went slowly over the start line.

Taking part was La Corderie with Steve and Charlotte Jarmain, Oyster Moon with Paul and Rhu Foskett and friends, Stargazer with Ian and Frances Redsell and Simon and Steph Paull on Whistler. A few others claimed to have started and retired later. It was good fun and hopefully will introduce a few people who have not raced before to have a go. It proved to me that you don't need a racing boat and I still had time to read my book!

 The best time from start to finish was 2 hours 51 - which  kind of demonstrates how little wind there was.

The Whistler on fly past to win!

Simon and Steph were the graceful, or do I mean grateful, winners and were presented with a bottle of wine by David Le Mare at the pontoon party. 

Cheers!

Speaking of which, I think we must have the record for the longest pontoon party (length of time, not pontoon). Fortunately with the crews from 17 boats it was one of the more robust pontoons and was in no danger of sinking. The party started at 17.30 and continued until about 21.00 (for some reason I can't remember too accurately when it finished). The empties filled the bottle bank and the pontoon needed a thorough hosing down afterwards to get rid of the crumbs. A 'merry' time was had by all.

Pontoon -the way the RAFYC play the game

 Easter Sunday morning dawned. Overnight the Easter Bunny had visited to the delight of the children and a few others.

Eventually a team headed over to Gunwharf for a bit of shopping and a relaxed lunch at the Tapas bar, the poor waiter didn't know what had hit him when we arrived and started to reorganize the tables to accommodate a growing crowd that ended up with nearly 30 people. Most of the group arrived on the Gosport ferry but a lucky few were transported on Mai Tai with Louis and Sharon, who had taken a bit of a tumble on her way back from dinner the night before, and could not walk very far. We had lots of nurses around to make sure she was well looked after but her foot was multi coloured by the next day.

Now what did I order?

Archie and Kitty Clarkson drove us back to Clarence.

On the Sunday evening we all prepared for the Annual Safari Supper. At 18.00 all the boats were informed about which boat they were visiting for their main course and which for dessert. The hosts knew how many to cater for but not for whom. I think it all worked out well and everyone had somewhere to go. All agreed it's a great way to meet people at the start of the season.

 Armed and dangerous - preparation for Safari

 The sun Finally came out on Monday morning and there was a pleasantly slow departure as everyone took advantage of the warmth. Children catching crabs and the adults catching the rays. There was still virtually no wind on the way home but it was lovely and warm. Time to go back to work tomorrow for a bit of a rest!

 Tootsy?

Ione on her way home	Whistler plays it cool

No darling of course your bum doesn't look big in that?

Let me down I can't reach my drink!

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