Following Alfred Jardine-Rigby's post in the Magazine (issue 84), is there any interest in a Whitehaven/IOM rally?
Perhaps a weekend break or possibly longer. Might be of interest to northern members.
Regards
Jim Rotheram Pen Gwyn
Sun, 02/03/2014 - 12:10pm
#1
isle of man
We might be!!!
Tenacity 19
Yes Jim, definitely interested. Quentin
Quentin Sands, past owner
1991 26C Mrs MacGregor
1993 Mac19, Margarita
Hi Liz and Quentin,
Very pleased to note your interest.
Have you any thoughts on dates or length of stay?
I don't have holidays booked yet so am fairly flexible
but would prefer to avoid school hols.
regards
Jim
Hi Jim, it might be difficult for me to avoid school holidays as I am a teacher but in the independent sector so there might be some off-peak possibilities. For instance, the week beginning Sunday 6th April? In July I finish on the 2nd - incredible but true - which is at least two weeks before most state schools. I reckon a 3/4 day trip would be good and a sail to the Isle of Man would be fantastic; although I am reminded of a story a friend of mine tells of being in a boat with his mate's Dad who sailed them back from the Isle of Man in deteriorating conditions - apparently it was terrifying. I'm sure we will err on the cautious side. Let me know what you think. Quentin
Quentin Sands, past owner
1991 26C Mrs MacGregor
1993 Mac19, Margarita
Hi Quentin,
Early July is not a problem for me. An alternative might be Spring Bank (26/05) if you get time off then.
I do have to give work at least a month's notice.
My thoughts on the trip are either a simple 'there and back' to Peel with a day/night stopover (3 days)
Or a round the island trip to take in Peel and Laxey before heading back to Whitehaven. (5 days)
Whitehaven Marina says that access is available at most states of the tide so I imagine for a Mac that's anytime.
I am with you on avoiding a rough return passage. We would need to be flexible, I feel, on the return, allowing a day's grace to allow any foul weather to pass over. Long range forecasts are reasonably reliable these days and would obviously influence decisions at the start as to viability. And there's always the Mac Factor (engine) to get us out of trouble!
Have you had any further thoughts Liz?
Regards
Jim
Sorry I missed the earlier posts, please count me in too. I have been hoping to do a trip like this for the last year but cautious about doing it on my own so in company with other Macs is perfect. It is handy for me as I live in Morecambe. As far as dates I am very flexible as I am not working at the moment though my crew might not be so flexible. We are doing a trip on the Caledonian Canal at the beginning of May. Please keep me posted on the plans
Hi Jim
Unfortunately we can't avoid school holidays!! Looking at the map and the journey up to Whitehaven - it would be a bit tight for us to do a weekend - up Friday night back Sunday night. Also, we would want to attempt such a trip later in the season having ironed out the wrinkles and built up to it a bit! and also would need a big High sitting over the island for a while to consider it as the Irish Sea is a funny old piece of water!! (even around our coastal stretches). We'll keep an eye on your plans though unlikely to be able to join in too early.
Alfred's suggestion in the mag was to see the Manx Boat Festival in July = these dates clash with the MOA Cardiff event - (though I know you weren't suggesting these dates)
Liz
(If we had a bigger boat we'd sail up from Holyhead and join you there!!)
Hi Jason,
Pleased to note your interest. It would be great to have a four boat rally. It looks like it will have to be school hols to accommodate Liz and Quentin which isn't an issue for me. My only problem is giving work one month's notice. I wouldn't mind going on the Cardiff Rally too. I'm not sure when school hols start and end. There's no immediate rush to decide. If Liz and Quentin are stuck with school hols I'd be happy for them to set provisional dates and work from there. Re the weather: we will need a bit of wind as its a long old haul on the engine and Morecambe Bay can turn as flat as a mill pond. Re the Manx Boat Festival. I don't think that weekend is a good idea. Berths at Peel are allocated on a first come first served basis and it might be a bit crowded.
Keep the ideas and opinions coming. I'm sure we'll be able to work something out that suits everyone
Regards
Jim
thanks Jim I will wait and see what dates are suggested and then see if it fits in with our family holidays etc
Jim, The best I can do is say that I will probably be able to say I am available/on standby for the w/b 7th July or 14th July - I emphasise probably; I also think the latter part of August is a possibility (see Liz's note). How about a pencil-in scenario for July and if it doesn't happen - or even if it does happen - a second option for late August? On a separate note, and possibly of interest to Jason, I have decided to take Mrs MacGregor off Lake Windermere for the coming year so that I can have her all ready to go. I'd like to get some more coastal experience in Mrs M and, for a start, I have my eyes on Largs and beyond, early April, weather permitting. Cardiff looks inviting too. Plenty to think about. Q
Quentin Sands, past owner
1991 26C Mrs MacGregor
1993 Mac19, Margarita
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