While the sailors are waiting they have a chance to relocate their tents to less waterlogged areas as shown above! Again, many hands make light work

The Bass ladies have opted to go to Armathwaite Hall for afternoon tea –  ooooohhh! With a bit of luck they’ll be able to sit outside and watch the racing from afar (it they’re really that interested!!!)

After many hours waiting, the attempt to start racing was abandoned at 4pm. Racing will commence at 10am on Friday

How wrong can the forecast be?!!

A power cut delayed racing for a short while, but shortly after the race started the wind faded and started to spin (very, very lightly!), and to add insult to injury it rained/drizzled for most of the morning. Things brightened up in the afternoon and it seemed as if the wind had settled from the south when the OD sent the fleet half way down the lake. As ever, it changed its mind and made for a long race. The conditions over the two race series resulted in positions being topsy turvy, and many frayed tempers!

Heavy showers, and thunderstorms nearby set in for the rest of the evening – no barbeques tonight! But the disco tempted many of the less weary sailors out for a late night drink and dance

The wind was sufficient to get the fleets around the courses, though a large wind shift for an hour during the afternoon pursuit race meant at one stage al the proposed beats had been lost! However, with about 20 mins to go, the wind filled in from the south again and resulted in a few capsizes, and it was to be this that wiped out Mik Chappell’s large lead in his Mirror in a matter of minutes. Andy and Emma Smith won the race in an RS200.

The evening’s entertainment comprises a car treasure hunt and Gladiators match!

The showers put an early end to the Gladiators competition, but not before Andy T had the opportunity to almost knock out girlfriend Lucy who was a bit stunned after a barrage of blows in the final round. Conscience got the better of him and he had to buy her some champagne as part of his apology….

The car treasure hunt went on somewhat longer, with 13 teams entered, organiser Claire was getting a bit concerned when her niece Emily’s team had not returned by 10pm. It was to be 10:50 before they got back, having thoroughly enjoyed the challenging questions, as did the other competitors.

Just be careful who you speak to – Just a little anecdote that amused one member.

At the weekend, a certain girl was asked by one of the red seals, “Remind me of your name?”
“It’s Thea” she replied.
“Oh yes, I knew it began with an ‘F’!”.

The wind did fill in over the course of the morning and was topped up by a sea breeze – not really the best direction for a race around the lake, but it didn’t stop Toggle sending them round it. Shortly after the fast handicap fleet left the main bay, the effects of Sale Fell kicked in and the wind started to have fun (mainly as the wind seemed to be coming down vertically and spreading). Unfortunately the lead boat got lost and took the Musto Skiffs in the wrong direction, which proved to be their downfall because when they realised the error the wind dumped them.

The many holes in the wind proved to be challenging, but not surprisingly the same faces ended up in the lead

The glorious weather continued and the barbeques were out again, before a group played live music late into the evening

Well the forecast was almost right – showers! The first one was particularly heavy just as the fleets were launching for the first race. The next one, again heavy just before the prize giving, but apart from that it was a bright day with sunny intervals.

The commodore was again OD, but had perhaps enjoyed a little too much punch at his reception last night – to quote Herb, ‘Shunty wasn’t all there’! (How did he spot that?!)

The wind did have some good gusts to get boats planing, but they weren’t as strong as forecast.

The evening’s entertainment was a quiz. With a potential maximum score of 65, the first claimants of 50 pts were knocked back when their answers were checked. The next claimants were all on 47 points – but as there were three on equal points, even after checking, it was to be a lucky dip that determined the winner, and it went to Bob’s team – don’t think it had anything to do with Rowan Atkinson, but stranger things have happened!

Leigh & Lowton may have done well on the water, taking 1st to 4th in the laser fleet, but clearly the quiz was not their forte – need we say more?

At last we’ve got through day 1, two races sailed and the results are published. Time for a drink or three at the commodore’s reception followed by a disco

Remember the song ‘What’s she gonna look like with a chimney on her head’? Well just imagine Royston with a pint of beer on his head – even late at night he was able to balance it for a few seconds at least. Is that one of his many party tricks?

What do you remember of 1966? Apparently it was the last time that John Salomonson sailed at Bass Week, and he’s come back for more. There’s no truth in the rumour that it has taken him the last 42 years to recover!!!

Showers forecast for tomorrow, but at least there’ll be some wind pushing them through

Visitors are starting to arrive, and are suffering the occasional shower whilst erecting their accommodation for the week, but no doubt it won’t be be long before the barbeques are lit!

The adjoining photo could be captioned all hands to the pump,  or many hands make light work  or was it a just a case of seeing how many you can get in an awning to make it really awkward to erect?!

The day did dry up but the night made up for it with some torrential rain!

Beware I was introduced to a Bass Week virgin! One that likes to take photos of people in unexpected positions too. So come on Ainsling, hand over the goods and enjoy your Bass Week indoctrination, especially as both you and helm Ray Cook are sailing an RS200 for the first time!