Lots going on for the weekend 28th and 29th June for members and committee.
Saturday 28th was the Fambridge Yachthaven boat jumble held in the yacht station. Thanks to the club members and committee who raised funds for the club by selling Tea, coffee and cakes.

Sunday 29th.
As published, our fun-day to Battlesbridge took place with 6 tenders, 1 of them under sail, and a big thank you to Fambridge Yachthaven Ltd for lending us a dory to use as a safety vessel. This had been decorated with dead corpses and skulls and the crew dressed as pirates.

We left the yachtstation pontoon at midday, and by ten past all boats except the dory crew, were engaged in a close-quarters battle with water guns. Needless to say, within minutes, there were a lot of drowned pirates, but due to the overall temperature, this was a refreshing change from the heat.

On the way to Battlesbridge, the flotilla took the opportunity for a refreshment break at the Up River Yacht Club in Hullbridge, where the club was made to feel extremely welcome by the host club members.
On departing the Up River Yacht Club, the commodore and her motley crew were given a suitable bath, with the aid of a collapsible bucket, by the rear commodore.

The next problem the flotilla had to negotiate, was deciding if swans or tenders took navigational priority. If the swan sees food then the dinghy loses.

The pirate fleet arrived safely at their hosts premises in the lower tide-pool at Battlesbridge where they proceeded to set up the barbecue. The club had been invited by the landowner, sailing legend Roy Hart and we wish to extend a huge thank you to him for his hospitality.

The commodore and her skirvy crew, cooked and provided the afternoon repast. All pirate were then assessed by Roy Hart. The owner of ‘Menhic’ was judged to be the best pirate and therefore took the funday trophy. The remainder are to be keelhauled when we find a suitably barnacled hull for the punishment. Must try harder next year.

Just after high water the mutinous crews had had enough and held a rebellious return to the club, where fingertip navigation was required to enable them to pass under one of the bridges.
There was also a flypast by part of the BBMF and the red arrows……..
The swan flotilla also caused a navigational issue on the return journey depending on which bank the food was being fed from.
With the wind getting stronger and the sun beating down, the return journey was pretty enjoyable even though we managed to get extremely wet.

On reaching the end of the pontoon at Fambridge Yachtstation, the Commodore and her mutinous crew gave the Rear-Commodore a final soaking for arranging this event, after which the belligerent, mutinous lowlifes assisted each other in returning their tenders to their respective resting places.

Everyone had a wonderful time and we hope to see more of you next year.

Your Committee.

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