149 - news of the fine craft Stella Genesta

blast from the past

2009-12-31T14:59:00.004+01:00

Here is an old edition of the Green Wyvern newsletter. It dates back to 1998 and contains classic articles about the joys of Easter cruising, a farce on the upper Waveney, and the benefits of old fashioned pyjamas.

Click here for the newsletter.

from seasons past

2009-12-30T21:01:00.005+01:00

FC1 is now tucked up for the winter at South River Marine and is not due back on the river until Easter. But if you are missing your sailing, here are some photos from time got by.

quanting to Beccles many years ago

upstream of Somerleyton Bridge

Easter 1998 - convivial wine party on Force Four; well remembered by the now owners of FC2.

Three Rivers Race 2002 - South Walsham dyke

there are more old photos here
and some of Brian Holden's old photos here

Turkey Race - Sat 5th December

2009-12-30T20:40:00.008+01:00

moored at Somerleyton public quay on Friday

The fine craft Stella Genesta ventured forth for her final sail of the year at the Turkey Race in early December. Young Wyvern and Mr & Mrs Rev T moved the boat from Somerleyton to Reedham on the Friday, with a brief sail upriver to the top of Long Galley. Amazingly, Stella was the only boat on the river.

approaching Haddiscoe Stumps on Friday

Race day (Saturday) dawned sunny, mild, and moderately breezy. The slow boats were sent off first which played to FC1's advantage. She won her start and led the race throughout, taking line honours. It was pretty clear that the race was between ourselves and Rebecca who finished not far behind us. In the end we won by about half a minute on corrected time. Dryad was third. This prompted eulogise overload from Rev T: we left them for dead, it was the top crew that made the difference, I watched the jib like a [elderly short sighted] hawk etc etc.

with the trophy at Reedham Ferry

more photos here

A song - possibly set to make its chart debut played by Timothy and the Old Hands

2009-07-09T14:31:00.004+02:00

Tune:
She'll be coming round the mountain when she comes

Ah wis sailing over Breydon wi' John Duff,
And ah can tell you, mon, that it wis rough.
When I saw we'd lost yon crutches,
Well I nearly filled ma brutches,
It wis rough on Breydon Water wi' John Duff.

So there wis I, a-hanging o'er the side
Wi' ma fingers dangling in the rushin' tide.
As I pulled yon crutches out
Hear the skipper gie a shout:
'Don't let them go, or else Woe betide!'

So next time you go sailing wi' John Duff,
If you want to see that things are not too tough,
Have the topping lift well slack
As ye haul yon gaff jaws back,
And you'll be doing fine wi' Johnny Duff.

Composed by Old Hand

June Northern Waters Cruise

2009-06-29T15:07:00.007+02:00

FC1 has returned from a very enjoyable 10 days cruise on the Northern Waters. She visited old haunts including Horsey, Sutton, and Upton. Rev T was also dragged against his will (twice) to Hunter's Yard but still managed to lapse into top eulogise mode without any difficulty. The wind varied from a flat calm to a stiff two reefer. Apart from a spectacular thunderstorm at Reedham Ferry, the weather was dry and fine. On the return south, FC1 tacked down the lower Bure without going aground before being rewarded with a beautiful early evening sail over Breydon. There were no wrecks and nobody drowned, in fact nothing to laugh at at all (if you don't count Rev T sailing into a tree in Meadow Dyke).

sailing past The Lighthouse near Horning

good deed of the day - helping a hire boat to reef at Gay's Staithe

flying the signal of the day - "43" at Berney. Can readers work out why? Hint - it wasn't just the World Cup that took place in 1966.

the clock at The White Horse, Neatishead - the inspiration for the sailing publication of the decade

Albion near Thurne Mouth

moored outside White Wings at Horning

more photos

Spring Bank Holiday

2009-05-27T17:50:00.006+02:00

FC1 took to the river for the Spring Bank Holiday with Mr & Mrs Rev T on board. They successfully completed the Perryman Race from Somerleyton to Beccles, finishing 4th out of 6 boats on the Saturday; the race was won by Puck. On Sunday they cruised up to Geldeston, before returning to Burgh St Peter for the night. On the Monday they sailed back to Somerleyton. Rev T reports that a good time was had by all.

Here is a photo of folks at Beccles Sailing Club waiting for the race results. From the left - Denis Kilner, Betty and Peter Charlton, Margaret Kilner, Joe Farrow, and Mrs Rev T - holding a pint glass, blimey.

This photo was taken of Stella upstream of Somerleyton Bridge by Bob Soutar and obtained from the Yare Sailing Club website courtesy of Margaret Kilner. Readers will note that the jib is not completely full. Rev T reports that Stella was still coming on to the tack, hence the flapping jib - a likely tale.

more photos

2009-05-21T17:34:00.001+02:00

There are more photos of both the May Day sailing, and cruises from last year, here.

News of the equally fine craft Mimosa

2009-05-19T13:05:00.004+02:00

After the May Day cruise, Young Wyvern jumped ship on to the equally fine craft Mimosa for some more sailing with Andy & Lois Gordon. Midday tides meant that the obvious cruise plan was to go through Yarmouth - so that's exactly what FC2 did, visiting Acle, Hickling and Womack.

Mimosa at Reedham - photo by Margaret Kilner.

Moored at Acle, having just shot the bridge against the last of the flood without even a weight-lifter on board.

An Old Hand at work

2009-05-19T12:55:00.004+02:00

An Old Hand engages in his favourite activity. Reports that he is changing the signal for the signal flag D are thought not to be true.

And here he prepares the evening meal. Note the secret ingredient on the right, which rapidly comes into its own...

Green Wyvern cruise

2009-05-19T12:22:00.009+02:00

FC1 joined the Green Wyvern cruise for the May Day weekend. The itinerary was Berney on Saturday lunchtime and then Oulton for the night. On the Sunday the fleet sailed to North Cove for lunch and then the place they DO like (Beccles) for the evening. On Monday the lunchtime destination was Somerleyton before the fleet dispersed. The fleet comprised Farthing, Mimosa, Modwena, Puck, Shruff, and Stella.

Modwena on Oulton - Mark Cassidy and Emma Duff on board.

Puck at Reedham Ferry - crewed by Trevor Potter, Dave Valentine, Andy and Marcus Garnham.

The fleet moored at Oulton Yacht Station, passing the time of day before adjourning to The Waveney pub for Adnams and a wall game (darts).

The trees were in blossom at Oulton. On the Sunday morning, a stiff breeze covered the yachts in blossom petals.

May Day cruising

2009-05-19T12:10:00.006+02:00

Stella Genesta took to the river for some May Day cruising. On board were Mr & Mrs Rev T and Young Wyvern. FC1 took advantage of an easterly on the Thursday and sailed to Commissioner's Cut at Thorpe via a lunchtime stop at Rockland. On the Friday she headed back down the Yare to Cantley for the night where several members of the Yare Sailing Club and Green Wyvern were assembled. There was karaoke at the pub in the evening and that popular beat combo of Young Wyvern and Trevor Potter took the microphone by storm (the local populace was deeply grateful). These photos were taken by Margaret Kilner of Wisp on the Saturday morning as FC1 sailed downstream to The Berney.

Stella at Breydon

2009-04-22T15:02:00.005+02:00

These photos of Stella sailing at Breydon Regatta were taken by Damian Dunkley and sent courtesy of Kate Warwick. The regatta was several years ago when Stella won (naturally) the afternoon race and the high handicap trophy.

new maritime collection available

2009-04-04T21:54:00.001+02:00

There is a new maritime collection available for all keen sailors. Old Salt's musings have recently hit the shelves. With reflections on his extensive experience both on the water and off it (at the bar), it has quickly become the new maritime must-read. Copies are available from the venerable sea-dog himself, Old Salt.

The anticipated favourable, not to say rave reviews in the national press have for some unaccountable reason not yet appeared, but here in the meantime is a selection of comments received.

A sailing friend: “I recognise in him some characteristics that I have myself – very worrying!” [What can he mean? - OS]
A more perceptive sailing friend:“Words of wisdom indeed" [How true]
A Bishop: “Not quite Lenten reading perhaps”[Also true]
A friend: “OS’s dedication in the arduous task of pub research is truly heart-warming” [Heartwarming]

At least no-one has yet written to say “Thank you for sending me your book. I will waste no time in reading it”.

on the water again

2009-04-04T21:48:00.003+02:00

FC1 has taken to the water for 2009. Mr & Mrs Rev T have moved the boat to Somerleyton from its winter mooring at St Olaves. After a couple of cold and chilly days, the weather improved and they enjoyed a gentle sail up to the place they DO like [Beccles]. After a pint of beer in the Swan House at Beccles, Rev T reports that the world took on a rosy hue and top eulogise mode was soon obtained. The weather stayed fair for the return leg to Somerleyton.

The next outing for FC1 will be at the Green Wyvern May Day cruise. There might even be some photos (if Rev T remembers to take the camera this time).

And now there are! This photo was taken by John, the yacht station master at Beccles, as Stella prepared to leave the yacht station.

Previous website

2009-04-04T21:44:00.001+02:00

For those wishing to view the previous edition of 149, you can read it here.