Picnic on the sands 10 May

[Roger]

Good-day All,
An early 'head's up' for the diaried Picnic scheduled for Saturday 10th May with a 09.00BST ish depart. It's been a while since this has been done, so weather permitting, it would be good to revive this event. Ivan's the expert....
Ivan - can you elaborate on where we would expect to dry out ?

Regards

Roger

[ivanocean]

Just checked the forecast for 10th May.We do need warm sunny conditions to enjoy this event.
Not looking too promising at present, however conditions could change-----hopefully, for the better, over the next few days.
Ivan,

[valsimpkin]

Could someone who has taken part in this before, maybe give a bit of a description of what it entails, for the benefit of newer members - I know, for instance, that it's generally tenders / inflatables / dinghys which go down - is that right? I think Jeff went on the last one, but not me.

I won't be able to go on this one either, but we've also got quite a few new members who won't know about it

Also, things like, if it were happening, what time would the set off be etc?

[ivanocean]

I would like to emphasise,to any members thinking of participating in this very enjoyable event, it is NOT a race, never has been.
The plan is to leave GSC after high water, just sail, or drift out, with the outgoing tide, nothing competitive about it.
Having made this trip, mainly alone, on numerous occasions, in both dinghies and on sailboards(don't recommend sailboards)
it's a great day out, made even more enjoyable, in company with other like minded members.
The area in the vicinity of Pilling sands,Spring Bank buoy, "the large green one on your left"is by far, the ideal spot, the sand
Is clean and firm,the views spectacular, you will be amazed with the beauty of the bay from this position.
Various craft have been seen on this event,dinghies, canoes, and inflatables. I would suggest, it's really only suitable for the craft mentioned, as this is a low tide, the channel being very shallow when approaching Spring Bank, obviously it dries out completely !
The return trip is most interesting, you wait for the tide to float you off the sand, in the far distance is the tiny spec of Plover Scar((the lighthouse)just head for it !
The ideal conditions are SW 1-2 clear skies, warm !!
Oh, take a paddle, as from past experience, if you drift past the bouy, you could end up in Lune Deeps,------not a good idea !
Hopefully, fine weather will appear.See you on the sands, Ivan
Buckets and spades optional, see you on the sands.
Ivan

See you on the sands--------bucket and spade optional.
Ivan

[ivanocean]

Please accept my apologies for the latter part of my recent picnic note.When I left school, long long ago I became a
junior reporter for THE DAILY EXPRESS.
It's rather obvious, why I decided not to continue in that direction, as editing was not one of my strong points, I became a member of H M forces,
The nearest I ever got to a FORUM, was a cinema in Manchester ! And a bucket and spade on BLACKPOOL beach !
Happy days.
Ivan

[Duncan]

As a Sun reader i have to say it looked fine to me Ivan. Hope to see you at the picnic!

[ivanocean]

HAMPERS AWAY !
YES, cancel your HARRODS hampers, the forecast is proving unkindly towards us (yet again) for this event, totally
unsuitable, that is, assuming you are consumed with masochistic tendencies, and wish to bravely face the rain and
predicted gusts throughout the day, within the Bay !
Suggest "DREAM ANOTHER DAY"and don't go out to play,
Sorry guys,
Ivan

[valsimpkin]

Shame about the picnic but, agree, it is something that needs decent weather. It's a long day to be on the sands.

Don't be totally downhearted though, as there's still the evening talk to enjoy which will go ahead whatever the weather LOL