Please excuse the writing from two camps but I write acticles for both clubs I am members for. Please enjoy.
My recollections for the Ullswater trip with the Halifax Canoe Club (HXCC) and my other interest in Sailing “Little Hog” with Glasson Sailing Club (GSC).
Set off Friday morning at 07.00hrs to Glasson Sailing Club with the obligatory breakfast at Mac Ds. Arrived Glasson at 09.30hrs. I had Lee and Tall Matt as helpers. We packed up Little Hog, 18ft Trailer Sailer, and secured her to the trailer for her road trip. We had a drink of tea and watched the tide come in; Matt could not believe the speed. We then set off for Ullswater and arrived in great time. Left Little Hog for an hour and went to find other HXCC Members. Manage to find the Boycie’s. With an assembled crew of helpers we stepped the mast and launched and moored on the jetty without a problem. We then waited for others to arrive, which they did. A note for the diary it is extremely expensive at Waterside Camp Site and will not be back, £45 for a family of 4 per night?????????
Woke up Saturday had breakfast the wind was strong with occasional gusts. No good for paddling so went sailing up to Glenridding and back. Easy and fast down wind and a tacking nightmare coming back. We were sailing for five hours, great with no tide to worry about. I have found I have new crew John E the galley “””””””” and Matt the crew “”””””””. We had the obligatory BBQ for tea with more members arriving during the evening.
On Sunday it was the official paddling trip to Pooley Bridge for a drink at the Sun Inn. We had seven paddlers (3 more if you include those already in Pooley). The wind again was strong so we hugged the coastline in the kayaks to minimise effort. Although John E had his sea kayak it was easy for him until he had to get out, it was swim???? the water was above his knees. Met up with the bank support at the pub had a couple of drinks and a sandwich and then the return. We had cunning plan, raft up the kayaks and pull out a windbreak with two sticks at either end and we were off, kayak sailing. It was awesome, incredible and fast. Unusually we had no true swimmers. Yes another BBQ and fire.
On the Monday the wind was 25mph with gusts of 42mph, I am sure it was stronger; paddling was out so it was decided to either walk or sail to Howtown. I set off in Little Hog not knowing the epic I was going to face, should have realised really I was the only one on the water. Down wind first for what I thought was going to be a fast easy sail. A full training run for most of the way, then we were on a broad reach when all hell broke loose on Little Hog. A gust of wind from behind spun Little Hog 180’ back into wind with water over the gunnels and windows, with crew and me sprawled over the deck. There was nothing I could do to stop Little Hog spinning round. I settled everyone down, even those who were saying they could not breath in the middle of the lakes??? And turned back to a broad reach to have it happen again and we tried again but gave up after the third. Dropped the sails after the genoa had started to shred. We arrived at Howtown with stories to tell and moored tied to a tree on the beach. The journey back was going to be interesting. After a pint at the pub and sandwiches three of us returned on Little Hog, Matt, Den & Myself. I had no spare genoa or storm jib so only had the Mail Sail, this I knew was going to be difficult sailing into wind with Little Hog. The Main was fully reefed and Little Hog still heeled to the gunnels. We struggled to tack through the wind. We had to leave it late to tack and did not make it through the wind and were grounded; with a bit of persuasion Little Hog found her way back to deeper water. At this point we dropped the main sail and tried to return under power. The wind would turn Little Hog and the swell for a lake was huge with bow of Little Hog piling through the waves. Moored on a buoy refuelled and returned to the campsite, with lots of lessons learned and coupled with some exciting, scary moments. Monday evening involved sail repair and BBQ.
On Tuesday we went to Penrith in the morning and had Battered Haggis for lunch. We returned to paddled in the afternoon the wind was still strong. Little Hog turning into a speed boat dragging kayakers behind her. Both Rooster and Side Surf Jim capsized but rolled with Guru Kid Kayak Skiing all the way. The one who could not breath returned to the water for a paddle too.
On the Wednesday we returned home via Glasson returning Little Hog to her berth. Plus enjoying Cumberland & Mash from the Victoria Inn. Set off a bit late for the rush hour around Manchester but we had a easy run.
We had a great trip to Ullswater with the HXCC, if not a little expensive, so watch out we will be planning a new trip and looking for new suggestions for a paddling venue. The wind was extremely strong this time and paddling was not easy in these conditions so a big pat on the back to those who dared.
These days I am torn between my love for Kayaking and the thrill of sailing but this trip had the best of both worlds. I hope all those who Little Hog gave a sailing experience to enjoyed their experiences and like me develop a passion for all water sports.
Author
John Stopford
HXCC & GSC Member