Satyr being rigged by Eric Andrew (on the foredeck rigging the jib sail) and Dave Grundy – in the cockpit looking after the halyards. At this stage a gentle breeze – enough to get us going and a nice way to settle in our taster guest Carol.

On arrival at Rutland Water, on what was forecast to be a showery day, I was greeted by Dave and Eric and soon found myself kitted out with appropriate waterproofs and buoyancy jacket.   We were briefed.

In the morning I was sailing with Dave and Eric in the 19ft Squib Satyr, a keelboat, and in the afternoon, after lunch on the clubhouse balcony overlooking the water, I was sailing in the 27ft Soling keelboat ‘Time Flies’ (which raced in the 1972 Olympics) with John and Jason.    All the guys are experienced helms and crew and I knew I was in very good hands!

Carol helming Satyr as the wind begins to pick up

It was great fun launching the boats, being on the water & taking the helm, helping man the sails, and really feeling part of the crew, and then bringing the boats in and off the water. There was a lot to do and learn, and the guys were only too pleased to guide us and help us enjoy and make the most of our day.

Fortunately the forecast showers never came, the sun shone and in the afternoon the wind really got up, so the sailing was even more amazing and fun in the afternoon. Whoop! Whoop! And I was helming an Olympic Soling!

Satyr returning to the pontoon. Fenders out, bow fenders out, tidying up the bow line ready to step ashore.

I don’t know how RCSSC managed it, but they’d even arranged a fly-past by the Red Arrows, complete with red, white and blue smoke trail, and some vintage planes overhead and a flypast by an Osprey – not bad for £20! for CSSC members.

I will certainly go sailing again with RCSSC and recommend anyone to do the same.

Time Flies just after coming in. Main down – John Cranwell ward and new member Jason Robbins on the foredeck

Rutland Water is a great setting and the facilities at the sailing club are perfect (we enjoyed lunch in the cafe and later, after putting the boats to bed, Dave took us to the bar and veranda for a’debrief’ – Wonderful way to end the day, overlooking Rutland Water, looking North to the peninsula with lots of boats still out on the water and the sun shining.

I made a weekend of it, stayed over in a local B & B on Saturday night and walked all the way around Rutland Water on Sunday. A beautiful place to be.

Thanks you guys for a fab day & see you all next time!

Carol

Enjoying your first ever sail Carol?